Anupria Goenka, who has become a household name with her powerhouse performances in Padmaavat, Tiger Zinda Hai, and web series such as Sacred Games and Criminal Justice, had recently reacted to being snubbed for Salman Khan’s Sultan, the lead role.
After undergoing a one-month long demanding auditioning procedure of over 10 tests from choreography dance rehearsals with choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant to scripting sessions with director Ali Abbas Zafar, she was robbed of the prestigious role by Anushka Sharma.
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Anupria revealed in an interview that she had no idea she was auditioning for Sultan. YRF carried out the auditions using a different script in order to keep it confidential. Anupria did not have any clue that she was auditioning for Sultan when Zafar said “Mr. Khan.”.
Even though the experience was enriching, the rejection tasted bitter. She freely admitted that her dark skin and not being the “typical YRF heroine” type—having a fair complexion and certain physical features—were part of the reasons why she was edged out on the role.
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The part was finally taken up by Anushka Sharma, whose wrestling scene was appreciated by one and all. Though Goenka was satisfied with her complexion, she saw prejudice in the industry towards conventional beauty standards.
This aside, she has carved a niche for herself playing diverse roles in both films and OTT, with talent trouncing stereotypes. Her journey highlights Bollywood’s ongoing struggle with representation and inclusivity.
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