Actor Ayushmann Khurrana was first approached for the male lead in the 2018 film Hichki. The script was later reworked into a female-led story, with star Rani Mukerji stepping into the YRF-backed movie. Here is how the change happened before the film reached theatres.

Rani Mukerji Replaced Ayushmann Khurrana In Hichki

Ayushmann revealed he was approached to play the part that eventually went to Rani. He shared this on Neha Dhupia's chat show in 2018.

According to him, director Siddharth P Malhotra first brought the script to him. When Ayushmann took it to Aditya Chopra for production, the YRF head felt a woman would suit the central character better. The story was rewritten around a female protagonist.

The role went to Aditya's wife Rani. She played a teacher with Tourette syndrome and earned wide praise for it.

In the movie, Rani's character teaches chemistry to a class of 17 students. Her speech is broken by vocal tics, and she keeps wiping her chin with her fist before carrying on with the lesson.

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Despite its niche subject, Hichki did solid business.

It was made on a budget of Rs 20 crore and earned Rs 236.48 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk. That made it the fifth-highest worldwide grosser among Bollywood films in 2018, and a clear profit for the makers.

What We Know About Ayushmann Khurrana's Latest Film?

Khurrana's new film, Udta Teer, was released in theatres on October 23. He plays an amnesiac Indian agent working undercover in Pakistan.

The story follows a Pakistani spy who loses his memory after a blast and starts believing he is an officer with India's Counter-Terrorism Squad. The mix-up pulls him into a cross-border espionage operation, leading to a string of comic and action-filled situations.

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The film opened at Rs 4.10 crore nett on Friday, followed by Rs 7.25 crore on Saturday and Rs 8.10 crore on Sunday. Sacnilk puts its total domestic gross at Rs 23.08 crore, with net collection in India at Rs 19.45 crore.

The cast also includes Sara Ali Khan, Rahul Bose, Ram Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Mukul Dev, Suhail Nayyar, Brijendra Kala, Supriya Pilgaonkar and Raghubir Yadav.

FAQ

1. Was Ayushmann Khurrana originally supposed to star in Hichki?

Yes, director Siddharth P. Malhotra originally offered the lead role to Ayushmann Khurrana, but producer Aditya Chopra decided to rework the script for a female lead, ultimately casting Rani Mukerji.

2. What is Ayushmann Khurrana's highest-grossing movie to date?

Ayushmann Khurrana's highest-grossing film globally is Andhadhun (2018), which earned over Rs 450 crore worldwide.

3. What is the storyline of Ayushmann Khurrana's latest movie, Udta Teer?

In Udta Teer, Ayushmann Khurrana plays Bilal Ahmad, a Pakistani spy who suffers amnesia after an accident and mistakenly comes to believe he is an Indian counter-terrorism agent.