Sandeep Reddy Vanga shares the reason he couldn't cast Sai Pallavi in Arjun Reddy

In a video that quickly went viral on X, Vanga can be seen discussing the casting process at the Thandel event.

Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, famed for his successful films like Arjun Reddy and Animal, made an intriguing revelation at the pre-release event of Thandel. He disclosed that actress Sai Pallavi was his first choice for the lead role in Arjun Reddy.

In a video that quickly went viral on X, Vanga can be seen discussing the casting process at the Thandel event. He explained that he initially sought out a coordinator from Kerala, only to later discover that the individual wasn't quite what he appeared to be, which led to the casting change.

Eventually actress Shalini Pandey was cast opposite Vijay Devarakonda in Arjun Reddy.

He said, "I spoke to him saying that I have a story about a guy who is destroyed in love. It’s a very romantic story also. I want to cast Sai Pallavi as a heroine in my film. He said, ‘What is the romantic quotient in Arjun Reddy?’ I said, ‘It is more than what we usually see in Telugu cinema’. He said, ‘Sir, forget about it. The girl will not even wear sleeveless. Forget about it."

At the event, Sai Pallavi smiled when Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared his revelation. The filmmaker went on to mention that, as time passes, actresses usually evolve according to the opportunities they receive.

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However, he expressed his admiration for Sai Pallavi's consistency, noting that it was remarkable to see her remain unchanged. He emphasized how great it was to witness her unwavering presence in the industry.

Released in 2017, Arjun Reddy, featuring Vijay Deverakonda and Shalini Pandey, garnered critical acclaim while also facing criticism for its portrayal of toxic masculinity. Despite the controversy, the film became a major box-office hit. In 2019, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga adapted the film into Hindi as Kabir Singh, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani in the lead roles.