Director Anurag Basu denies reports that Triptii Dimri was not cast in Aashiqui 3 due to ‘bold scenes’

Triptii Dimri and Anurag Basu

The much-anticipated Aashiqui 3 has been making headlines ever since its announcement, particularly regarding its casting. Fans were excited about the possibility of Triptii Dimri starring alongside Kartik Aaryan in the romantic musical, especially after she took part in look tests and the mahurat shot. However, director Anurag Basu recently confirmed that Triptii will not be part of the film, but he has now addressed speculation that her exit was due to her bold scenes in Animal.

Reports surfaced claiming that Triptii was removed because she was “too exposed” for the role, with Aashiqui 3 requiring a female lead who exudes “innocence” and a “purity in demeanour.”

A source quoted by Zoom stated, “The fundamental requirement to be the heroine of Aashiqui 3 is innocence reflecting through, and as observed by the team behind the film, Triptii Dimri with her recent films has become too exposed to be cast in this romantic film which demands purity in demeanour from the female lead. Aashiqui is a legendary, soulful love story, and the makers do not see Triptii fitting the parameters.”

Many speculated that her intimate scenes in Animal played a role in this decision, reinforcing the idea that her on-screen image had shifted away from the traditional expectations of an Aashiqui heroine. However, when asked about these claims, Anurag Basu dismissed them outright, telling Mid-day, “That’s not true. Triptii knows it too.”

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With Triptii no longer part of the project, the Aashiqui 3 team is actively searching for a new female lead. The film is expected to go on floors in January or early February.

Triptii gained widespread fame after her role in Animal alongside Ranbir Kapoor, but she also faced backlash for the film’s bold sequences. In an earlier conversation on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, she shared the emotional toll the criticism took on her: “I cried a lot after Animal, for at least two-three days. I was not used to this at all. This happened all of a sudden, and I never expected I would have to face criticism of this magnitude. People were writing rubbish, and you know how nasty they can get.”

Despite her exit from Aashiqui 3, Triptii has a promising lineup of projects. She is currently working on Vishal Bhardwaj’s Arjun Ustara and also has Karan Johar’s Dhadak 2 in the pipeline.