Anyone who has watched Shershaah, the biopic of Capt. Vikram Batra who fought in the 1999 Kargil War, would agree that Sidharth Malhotra has done a marvelous job in bringing the war hero to life on screen. We cannot imagine anyone else portraying the army legend ‘Shershaah’.

© Dharma Productions

While he was the first choice of the producer Shabbir Boxwala, there were many who lined up to grab the role. He was also approached by Salman Khan who had a name in mind for the role of Capt. Vikram Batra. He apparently wanted his brother-in-law, Aayush Sharma, to make his debut with this film, back in 2016.               

© Instagram/Aayush Sharma

Boxwala said in an interview, “Salman approached me at a stage when I was in talks with Junglee Pictures. He wanted Shershaah to be Aayush’s [Sharma] debut film, and wanted to partner with me on it.” However, he had already pitched Sidharth Malhotra to Batra’s family who also wanted him to play the role and he didn’t want to replace him.  

© Dharma Productions

“It would have been highly unethical to drop him for another actor. When Captain Batra’s family gave me the rights, it was a big moment for me. They showed immense trust in me, and I didn’t want to go wrong at any step. I explained [my predicament] to Salman, who was understanding. Aayush was sweet and sportingly said that playing a double role in his debut movie might be [a tall order],” he added.

© Dharma Productions

He further explained how the project panned out. “From Junglee Pictures, the film went to Dharma Productions [in 2019]. It didn’t take Karan [Johar] more than five minutes to say yes to the project. Director Dennis Lee came from Los Angeles to helm the film, but things didn’t work out. Vishnu Varadhan [director] was suggested by my writer Sandeep Shrivastava.”

© Instagram/Shabbir Boxwala

It still took more than a year to shoot and bring the film to life. Meanwhile, Aayush Sharma made his Bollywood debut with Loveyatri in 2018 which was produced by Salman Khan.

© Salman Khan Films

We’re glad that Sidharth was cast as ‘Shershaah’. The reviews and appreciation that the film is receiving is proof that Boxwala made the right choice. 

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