The casting stories of movies are always fascinating, offering a glimpse into the permutations, combinations, and decisions that eventually shape the final cast we see on screen. Some of these tales are wilder than others, with revelations that make you wonder, What if that had actually happened? Now, imagine Tanu Weds Manu without R. Madhavan as Manu opposite Kangana Ranaut’s Tanu. Believe it or not, this almost happened, as Madhavan was not the makers' first choice. Instead, they initially wanted someone entirely different from him.

Imran Khan Was Eyed for Tanu Weds Manu?

Tanu Weds Manu is undoubtedly one of Indian cinema's finest films, celebrated for Aanand L. Rai's visionary direction, chart-topping soundtrack, and stellar performances by the cast. R. Madhavan’s portrayal of Manu was widely appreciated, earning accolades for his understated and nuanced performance. However, the role of Manu was initially offered to none other than Imran Khan!

According to a report by Republic, the makers of Tanu Weds Manu originally considered casting Imran Khan for the role. While the reason for Khan passing on the project remains unclear, there’s no confirmation on whether he was to star opposite Kangana Ranaut or Chitrangada Singh, who was reportedly the first choice for Tanu. While Imran Khan is a talented actor, it’s now hard to imagine anyone but R. Madhavan playing Manu.

Imran Khan on Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Interestingly, while neither Imran nor the filmmakers publicly discussed this casting trivia, the actor later collaborated with Kangana Ranaut in Katti Batti (2015). Around the same time, he praised Tanu Weds Manu Returns, the sequel to the original film, for its compelling story and Kangana’s exceptional performance in her dual roles.

Imran even shared his preference between the two characters Kangana portrayed in the movie. “I really enjoyed the film, and Kangana was superb in her double role. But I preferred Datto's character over Tanu's,” he said in a statement (via Hindustan Times).

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