The buzz for the sequel Aitraaz 2 by Subhash Ghai had already been given an unexpected turn by reports having suggested Taapsee Pannu as the heroine.
The original film that came in 2004 had been one of the biggest success-ever; much of that fame was the unforgettable act by Priyanka Chopra, who portrays the character of a femme fatale defined by seduction and manipulation. Her charm and glamour made the character a legend, leaving an everlasting impact on Bollywood.
But Taapsee’s reported casting has created wholesale skepticism. Critics say that she has been sharing a string of recent box office flops, the most highly anticipated being Dunki with Shah Rukh Khan and Rajkumar Hirani, which also failed to make an impact.
Some even called her an “amateur actress” who is not worthy of playing a role that requires sex appeal and intellectual superiority.
Second, Taapsee’s on-screen presence draws her towards taking on aggressive, socially conscious roles, a contrast to Priyanka being dramatic and enigmatic in Aitraaz.
Taapsee isn’t femme fatale stuff, a female so wickedly succulent, men would kill to be seen in her presence. While all of us feel she doesn’t have the erotic presence and casts of spells of such a kind that she could pull off a role like that convincingly.
This possible miscasting makes grave questions about the possible of the movie. Aitraaz 2 could be a box office hit, but Taapsee’s casting is regarded as a blunder, bringing down the anticipation for the movie.
