Junaid Khan reveals he was surprised when Loveyapa makers approached him, says, "I wouldn’t be casting me in this part"

Junaid Khan

Junaid Khan, Aamir Khan's son, is about to make his Bollywood debut in Loveyapa, a romantic comedy.1 He'll be sharing the screen with Khushi Kapoor, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor's daughter. Interestingly, Junaid recently revealed that he wasn't initially convinced he was the right fit for the lead role.

In an interview with SCREEN, Junaid confessed, "I was a bit surprised that they wanted me because I felt like my personality was so far away from the character. I asked him if he was sure he wanted me to play the role. I wouldn’t be casting me in this part, but Advait (Chandan) and Madhu (Mantena) sir seemed pretty confident." This candid admission shows Junaid's humility and self-awareness. He recognized the difference between his own personality and the character's, and questioned whether he could convincingly portray it. Despite his reservations, the director and producer's confidence in him ultimately swayed his decision.

Loveyapa is a remake of the popular Tamil film "Love Today." Both Junaid and Khushi have expressed their admiration for the original. Junaid shared, "Advait came to me and said he had the rights to this Tamil film and asked me to see it. He just told me the premise in one line, that a guy goes to meet the girl’s family and her father asks them to exchange their phones. I loved the premise, and I was very excited.
Pradeep (Ranganathan) Sir has done a fantastic job in Love Today. He directed, wrote, and acted in the film, so it was fantastic." The unique and engaging premise of the story, revolving around a phone exchange between couples, immediately grabbed Junaid's attention. He was also impressed by Pradeep Ranganathan's work in the original film, which further fueled his interest in the remake.

Khushi Kapoor also shared her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “I had watched the original film since my dad had told me about it, and I loved the story immediately. After the first narration, there were no thoughts about it. Our scriptwriter, Sneha, was so funny at narrating the script that it felt like we were watching the film. I don’t think there was ever a question, I was just very excited." Khushi's familiarity with the original film and her immediate connection with the story made her decision to be a part of the project a no-brainer. The engaging narration of the script solidified her excitement and confidence in the film's potential.

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"Loveyapa" boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Grusha Kapoor, Ashutosh Rana, Tanvika Parlikar, Kiku Sharda, and Kunj Anand. The film is directed by Advait Chandan, known for films like "Secret Superstar," and is produced by Phantom Studios and AGS Entertainment. Zee Studios will handle the worldwide release, which is scheduled for February 7, 2025. Movie enthusiasts will also be able to stream the film on Disney+ Hotstar after its theatrical run. With a compelling storyline, a strong cast, and experienced filmmakers at the helm, "Loveyapa" is generating considerable buzz and anticipation. Junaid Khan's debut is eagerly awaited, and it will be interesting to see how he embodies the character despite his initial reservations.