Rajiv Thakur, best known for his comedic performances, including his popular role as Raju on Kapil Sharma’s show, recently took on a more serious role in the web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The actor, playing a terrorist in this gripping drama by Anubhav Sinha, is now gaining attention for his versatility. But what many don’t know is that Rajiv Thakur almost made his big-screen debut in one of Bollywood’s biggest films of 2023 — Dunky.
From Kapil’s Show to ‘Dunky’: A Dream Offer
In a recent interview, Rajiv revealed that he was approached for a role in Dunky, starring Shahrukh Khan and directed by Rajkumar Hirani. Rajiv shared that Mukesh Chhabra, the well-known casting director, had considered him for a significant part in the film. Thakur and Chhabra have a close relationship, and Rajiv had been asking Mukesh for work for quite some time. He even requested to be given an audition, no matter the outcome.
Finally, when Dunky was being cast, Rajiv got a call from Mukesh. He was told that director Rajkumar Hirani wanted to meet him, as he had cleared an audition for the role of one of the three friends in the film. Rajiv, thrilled at the prospect of working in such a high-profile project, was eagerly awaiting the next steps.
The Role That Slipped Away
However, after this initial excitement, things took an unexpected turn. Rajiv didn’t receive any further communication regarding the role. He expressed his disappointment, sharing that even though he had been shortlisted, there was no final meeting with Hirani. The comedian-turned-actor admitted he felt dejected, especially since he believed he was on the verge of being cast in a major Bollywood film alongside Shahrukh Khan.
Despite this setback, Rajiv Thakur has been focusing on other projects, including his more serious roles like the one in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.
Why Mukesh Chhabra Chose Rajiv for a Terrorist Role
One of the most intriguing aspects of Rajiv’s story is how he was selected for the role of a terrorist in IC 814. After his audition, Rajiv was curious why Chhabra, who usually saw him in comedic roles, thought of him for such a serious part. Mukesh Chhabra later revealed that he stumbled upon a reel of Rajiv’s while watching videos in his office. This reel left a strong impression on Chhabra, leading him to think of Rajiv for the role.
While Rajiv may have missed out on Dunky, his versatility as an actor continues to open up new avenues for him. His journey from a comedian to a serious actor has certainly caught the attention of both the audience and filmmakers, and we can expect more exciting roles from him in the future.
