Boney Kapoor reveals Salman Khan wanted Katrina Kaif in ‘Wanted’ as female lead; revealed toying 'with several names, including Genelia D’Souza, before settling for Ayesha Takia'

Salman Khan's 2009’s film ‘Wanted’, a remake of Telugu hit ‘Pokiri’ by Prabhu Deva, revived his career. He played Radhe, an undercover cop acting as a gangster with style, cool lines, and big action. Single-screen fans loved its fast story and fun moments. It kept Pokiri's core but made Salman a huge hero that everyone loved.

Boney Kapoor spots potential in ‘Pokiri’

Recently, in a chat with Rediff, producer Boney Kapoor talked about how he got Salman on board for the film. He shared, “I happened to see Puri Jagannadh’s 2006 Telugu blockbuster, Pokiri. I thought Salman would be apt for the character of Radhe aka Rajveer Shekhavat. I wanted him to see the film and had arranged two preview shows, but because of his hectic schedule, Salman couldn’t make it. I was worried that the Tamil remake would release, and if it was as big a hit as the original, another Bollywood actor or producer would evince an interest in the Hindi remake rights and like with Ghajini, I would lose out on Pokiri too."

The late-night screening drama

Kapoor added, “I kept urging Salman to see it, and one day, past midnight, he finally turned up at a Mumbai preview theatre to see Pokiri. My elation was short-lived when I discovered that following a mix-up, instead of the Dolby Digital, they had sent across a DTS print. Nervously, I waited for Salman’s reaction to Pokiri. After watching it, he walked past me without a word. I followed anxiously, and before sitting in his car, he just signalled thumbs up."

Salman Khan's Katrina Kaif suggestion

‘Wanted’ also features Ayesha Takia in the female lead, but Boney shared that Salman had a different actress in mind for the role. Kapoor said, “Salman had suggested Katrina Kaif’s name for the role of the heroine in Wanted, the Hindi remake of Pokiri. But since the character is initially ambivalent about her feelings for Radhe, I reasoned that it would be better if we cast an actress who had never been paired with him before. We toyed with several names, including Genelia D’Souza, before settling for Ayesha Takia."

A massive 2009 blockbuster

Released in 2009, the film went on to become a big hit.


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