Quite recently, Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu revealed that he won’t do Bollywood films as the industry can’t afford him. While we believe he told this in amusement, Babu is one of those popular actors in the country that surely doesn’t need the Hindi Film Industry to reach a larger audience. So him turning down Bollywood is a fair call. Film industries like Tollywood, Kollywood, and Sandalwood have been gaining more popularity than ever before. There is a huge audience for these films, in fact, actors from Bollywood have also been involved in South Industry quite often.
It has to be noted that, actors like Chiranjeevi, Prabhas, and Rajinikanth have previously taken leading roles in Bollywood films and delivered big hits. However, there are also major actors who are known to have turned down Bollywood films. Here is a list of 11 actors who have turned down Bollywood films Without Any Regrets.
Puneeth Rajkumar
Late Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar, who mostly worked in Kannada films, was offered a role in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, but he rejected it because he wasn’t impressed with the role. “All of them were approached by producer Venkatesh, but I’m not sure why they turned down the project,” said writer KV Vijayendra Prasad, father of ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli.
Mahesh Babu
Mahesh Babu has a huge hold in Telugu Film Industry. He is an actor, producer, and philanthropist and he even owns the production house that goes by the name G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Despite having all this, Babu has preferred staying in Tollywood despite getting opportunities from around.
It was rumored that Mahesh Babu was going to feature in the Bollywood remake of his hit film, Businessman. But unfortunately, Mahesh Babu put these rumors to rest and declared that he had no plans of making a Bollywood debut any time soon.
Fahadh Faasil
One of the most prominent actors in the Malayalam film industry, Fahadh Faasil might never enter Bollywood. While addressing a press conference, he had said that he cannot speak Hindi and language was a barrier for him. But, nowadays this should not be an issue since there are so many actors ready to lend their voices to people who cannot communicate in Hindi.
It is rumored that noted filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj had offered him a movie. However, Faasil had said that he might take up a role when he feels confident enough to be a part of the industry. He believes that he is only getting good roles because of Malayalam films and he would forever be thankful to Mollywood for that.
Darshan
The Challenging Star Darshan is one the backbone of the Kannada film industry. Also known as D-Boss, he was offered the role of antagonist in Salman Khan starrer Dabangg 3. The actor, however, declined the role, and later the filmmakers signed in Sudeep.
Anushka Shetty
One of the most beautiful actresses in the South, Anushka Shetty earned recognition after SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali. Rumors suggest that she was offered multiple Bollywood films but she declined all due to scheduling issues.
It is reported that she rejected Rohit Shetty’s Singham in 2011. The actor was offered the role that eventually went to Kajal Aggarwal. She has denied a few more Hindi projects owing to her busy schedule. Later, when she was asked about her Bollywood plans, she reportedly said that she has lined up projects in the South.
Yash
Rocking Star Yash who became an overnight sensation after KGF was reportedly offered Laal Kaptaan. He was first approached for the role, but after he refused to work in it, the film was then offered to Saif Ali Khan.
Nayanthara
It is rumored that Nayanthara rejected appearing in Rohit Shetty’s Chennai Express. She could have shared the screen space with Shah Rukh Khan on a song named ‘One two three four get on the dance floor’, but she refused the offer for reasons best known to her. Later, The Family Man actress Priyamani was offered the role.
Allu Arjun
If rumors are to be considered, Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan is one of the films that were offered to Allu Arjun. The film was planned to be released in many languages, and Allu Arjun was approached for it. It is said that he rejected the film for unknown reasons. The film was then offered to Hrithik Roshan, and after that, Salman Khan was approached.
Also, Allu Arjun was also offered Ranveer Singh starrer 83, but he didn’t accept this either.
During the promotions of his last release Pushpa: The Rise, Allu Arjun had informed that he declined several Bollywood projects as he was not impressed by the role that he was offered. He went on to add that he would not accept any role that will be a second lead to the hero, no matter what the language is.
Nivin Pauly
Malayalam cinema actor Nivin Pauly had maintained that he won’t be comfortable doing films in Tamil, Telugu, or Hindi, but at the same time, he said that he would want to push himself by crossing boundaries.
It is believed that Pauly was approached to do a film with Anurag Kashyap. His picture with the filmmaker went viral on social media when the rumors started to float across. However, there was no further update on the same. It is said that he was offered the role that Vicky Kaushal played in Manmarziyaan.
Pauly was also offered a role for Sushant Singh Rajput starrer Chhichhore. But, he had sacrificed his Bollywood debut for Kayamkulam Kochunn.
Rashmika Mandanna
Once hailed as the national crush of India, Mandanna had rejected the Hindi remake of Jersey starring Shahid Kapoor. Speaking to media, she had informed the reason for rejecting the film. “I got that opportunity because of the choices I have made till now. I don’t think this choice is going to go bad. ‘Jersey’ needs a lot of you. It is almost realistic. Right now, only doing commercial films, I am going insane. Imagine doing something like ‘Jersey’ and not being able to pull it off.”
Vijay Devarakonda
Vijay Devarakonda has claimed that he doesn’t want to do a Hindi film only if it has to be something that works both in Hindi as well as Telugu. It is said that several filmmakers approached him, especially after Arjun Reddy but he rejected many offers before accepting Karan Johar’s Liger, which will be released in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.
