Before Fahadh Faasil: Nara Rohith Reveals He Was First Choice for ‘Pushpa’ Role
Pushpa Almost Had a Different Villain
It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Fahadh Faasil as the formidable Bhanwar Singh Shekawat in the blockbuster film ‘Pushpa: The Rise’ and its upcoming sequel, ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’. But did you know that actor Nara Rohith was actually the first choice for the role?
A ‘Pushpa’ Surprise
In a recent interview with M9 News, Rohith revealed that director Sukumar and producer Ravi Shankar approached him for the part. This was back during the COVID-19 pandemic when Rohith had posted pictures of himself sporting a mustache. Rohith confirmed that both Sukumar and Shankar had spoken to him about the role, but eventually, the project’s scope changed, and they decided to go with Fahadh Faasil.
Rohith’s Thoughts on the Role
While Rohith admitted to being interested in the role, he acknowledged the brilliance of Fahadh’s performance. He said, “I don’t know if I could’ve played the character like he did. Maybe, if I were on that set, I could’ve vibed and done it. But after seeing Fahadh, I was like, okay. That was terrific, actually.”
For those unfamiliar, Bhanwar Singh Shekawat in the ‘Pushpa’ films is a powerful police officer and the arch-nemesis of Allu Arjun’s character, who is a red sandalwood smuggler.
Fahadh’s Take on the Role
Interestingly, Fahadh Faasil himself didn’t seem overly enthusiastic about the role. In a 2024 interview with Film Companion, he stated, “I don’t think Pushpa did anything for me. I told Sukumar Sir that. I don’t have to hide it. I have to be honest.”
Rohith’s Recent Work
After a brief hiatus from acting following the 2018 film ‘Veera Bhoga Vasantha Rayalu’, Rohith made his comeback in 2024 with the film ‘Prathinidhi 2’. He also got engaged to his co-star from the film, Siree Lella, the same year. Rohith is currently slated to appear in the upcoming films ‘Sundarakanda’ and ‘Bhairavam’.
