Did Prithviraj Risk Rajamouli’s Varanasi for Kareena?

Prithviraj reveals Daayra decision

Prithviraj Sukumaran has revealed an interesting reason behind his decision to do Meghna Gulzar’s crime thriller Daayra. His comments raise one cheeky question: Did Kareena Kapoor Khan play a role in making him say yes and sideline SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi?

When director Meghna Gulzar approached Prithviraj, he was already committed to SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu. He also had several Malayalam films in his schedule. So, he was actually planning to politely reject Meghna’s offer.

However, he agreed to meet her because he felt that any actor would want to hear a filmmaker like Meghna Gulzar. During the meeting, Meghna narrated Daayra to him. Prithviraj said he was so impressed by the story and her narration that he felt he could not say no.

Then he asked who would play the female lead. Meghna told him that she was hoping Kareena Kapoor would play the role. Prithviraj jokingly said that was when he realised, “Now, I have to say yes to this film.”

So, did Kareena really make him sign the film?

Obviously, it would be unfair to say he chose Daayra only because of Kareena. Meghna’s narration had already impressed him. But his own words suggest that Kareena’s involvement gave him the final push.

This makes the story interesting because Prithviraj already had a huge commitment with Rajamouli’s Varanasi. Still, he found a way to fit Daayra into his busy schedule. Usually, when an actor signs a Rajamouli film, he rarely does other films side by side. But for Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj took the risk and somehow appears to have convinced even SS Rajamouli.

Daayra releases in theatres on September 18.