In a recent interview with iDream Media, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga opened up about the challenges and decisions that went into remaking his Telugu blockbuster, Arjun Reddy, into the Hindi version, Kabir Singh. Vanga shared his reluctance to undertake another remake in the future, expressing the difficulties and pain associated with the process.

After the success of Arjun Reddy, Vanga initially pitched an idea to Mahesh Babu for his next project but opted for the Hindi remake when Mahesh Babu chose another venture. Despite initial plans with Ranveer Singh, who later declined, Vanga faced scepticism when approaching Shahid Kapoor for the lead role.

“I was continuously getting calls from Mumbai to do the remake,” said the director. “First, it was pitched to Ranveer Singh. I wanted to do it with him. But finally, he decided he will not do it, because it was too dark for him at that time.” Vanga also acknowledged concerns about Kapoor’s track record, emphasising that people questioned his ability to deliver a box office hit. However, Vanga remained confident in the star’s acting prowess, and Kabir Singh indeed proved to be a massive success, grossing INR380 crore worldwide against a production cost of INR36 crore.

“Shahid’s track record was a concern,” said Vanga. “None of his solo films had done INR100 crore then, his highest was INR65 crore. They used to say INR55 crore, INR65 crore is the kind of business Telugu movies do. ‘Why are you doing it with this guy? If it was Ranveer, the box office would be higher.’ But I was always sure about Shahid, he’s a fantastic actor.” Reflecting on the journey, Vanga admitted that remaking such a widely watched film was challenging, and the success of Kabir Singh was crucial for him as a director. Despite the initial scepticism, Kapoor’s portrayal resonated with the audience, and the film surpassed expectations.

Vanga’s focus has now shifted to his upcoming film, Animal, for which he anticipates a stellar opening. The Ranbir Kapoor starrer has already generated massive hype. As Vanga ventures into new projects, his insights into the dynamics of remakes and the triumph of Kabir Singh provide a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of filmmaking in the ever-evolving landscape of the Indian cinema industry.

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