Some Bollywood casting revelations instantly make fans imagine an alternate film universe, and Varun Dhawan has just delivered one of the more intriguing ones. The actor has confirmed that Sriram Raghavan’s acclaimed 2018 thriller Andhadhun was once planned with him and Kangana Ranaut in the lead mix before the film eventually went on floors with Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu and Radhika Apte.
The reveal carries extra weight because Varun and Raghavan had already collaborated on Badlapur, the 2015 thriller that pushed the actor into darker, more intense territory and remains one of his most discussed performances.
Varun Dhawan Reveals Why He Could Not Do Andhadhun
During a recent appearance on Tanmay Bhat’s YouTube channel, Varun was asked if there was a major film he had rejected and later regretted after watching its success. The actor admitted, “I think a good movie. I think I said no to a good film,” before the conversation moved to the title he had passed on.
When asked to name the project, Varun said, “Andhadhun. I was filming for something else. So I couldn’t do it. And the original cast of the film was supposed to be me and Kangana.”
That one line has reignited conversation around the early journey of Andhadhun. The film eventually starred Ayushmann as a pianist whose life spins into danger after he becomes entangled in a murder, with Tabu delivering one of the sharpest performances of her career. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the black comedy crime thriller released in 2018 and went on to win wide critical acclaim, strong audience love and major awards recognition.
For Varun, the admission is notable because Andhadhun would have extended his exploration of morally layered cinema after Badlapur. Instead, the film became a defining moment in Ayushmann’s career, while Varun continued to balance commercial entertainers with performance driven projects.
Varun Dhawan’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Varun Dhawan was most recently seen in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, which released theatrically on June 5, 2026. Directed by David Dhawan, the romantic comedy also starred Pooja Hegde, Mrunal Thakur, Maniesh Paul and Jimmy Sheirgill. Before that, he appeared in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari in 2025 with Janhvi Kapoor, and led the 2024 action drama Baby John, co starring Keerthy Suresh and Wamiqa Gabbi.
On OTT, Varun headlined Citadel: Honey Bunny in 2024 with Samantha Ruth Prabhu on Prime Video. He also starred opposite Janhvi Kapoor in Nitesh Tiwari’s Bawaal, which premiered on Prime Video in 2023.
His confirmed upcoming theatrical release is Border 2, scheduled for June 23, 2026. Directed by Anurag Singh, the war film features Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Mona Singh and Sonam Bajwa.
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