Vikram Kochhar, who played a major role in Shah Rukh Khan’s film ‘Dunki,’ shared an anecdote from the sets about director Rajkumar Hirani replacing an actor.
In an interview with Home Bollywud, Vikram recounted an incident from the first day of the shoot when SRK wasn’t present, and another actor from Punjab was there. However, there was miscommunication between that actor and Hirani. Vikram explained, ‘What he had done in his audition, he wasn’t able to translate on set. We were all a little nervous. You are affected when you are working with someone big. So, just the thought that you are in the first shot of a Rajkumar Hirani film, which is being made after so many years, so you are bound to get nervous. It’s a big responsibility that you have. Taapsee was also there that day.’
He further elaborated that Rajkumar Hirani was trying to explain what he wanted to the actor, but the actor kept insisting he understood, yet repeated the same mistake in multiple takes. ‘He was quite nervous, so he couldn’t crack it. Raju sir was also getting nervous because it was his first day as well. He apologized to that actor and said that he would cast him in another role. And he decided to cast another actor in that role,’ Vikram recalled.
After the actor was replaced, Hirani’s team reached out to Rohitashv Gour, known for his role in the TV show ‘Bhabhiji Ghar par Hain,’ due to their long working relationship. Gour was at home that day and, since he lived close to the set, promptly arrived and performed the scene. ‘When he called cut for the first time, we were wondering whose fault it was now? Who will get fired? Because he can do that. He is capable of doing it. When you have to present your film to millions of people, you will be selective about your film,’ Vikram shared.
Discussing ‘Dunki,’ it marks the first collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani.