Avinash Wadhwan reveals why he turned down the role of Aurangzeb in Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava before Akshaye Khanna took up the character and won hearts.
Avinash Wadhwan recently opened up about a major career move that could have changed his Bollywood trajectory. In a recent interview with Hindi Rush, the actor revealed that he walked away from a role in one of the year’s biggest movies
While actors often jump at the chance to join high-profile projects, Avinash chose to step back from Laxman Utekar’s epic historical drama Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal. His decision came down to screen time, character depth, and a desire to make a truly impactful comeback.
Avinash explained that when the casting team first approached him about playing the primary antagonist, Aurangzeb, the offer failed to excite him. He was initially told he would be playing the main villain, but soon learned the character only appeared in two or three scenes. On top of that, the role required him to wear a heavy fake white beard and look like a very old man.
Refusing to even meet with the filmmakers, Avinash asked the team to bring him a project that better suited his personality rather than hiding him behind aged makeup for a few brief moments. After hearing a full narration of the story, he realized there was little substance or room to showcase his acting skills.
Since he was planning a return to the screen after several years, he wanted a strong, meaningful role with a great director rather than taking on a minor part just for the sake of working.
He noted that he wasn’t the only actor to say no, mentioning that a few others also rejected the offer for the exact same reason. The role eventually went to Akshaye Khanna, who accepted the part and delivered a widely praised performance.
Looking back at how the movie became a massive blockbuster, Avinash admitted that life often takes unexpected turns. While the character ended up receiving great appreciation despite the limited screen time, he chalked it up to luck, noting that missing out on major hit projects has simply been a recurring theme in his career.
In a career spanning several decades, Avinash gained fame in the late 1980s and 1990s as a romantic lead in popular Bollywood films like Junoon, Geet, Balmaa, and Ayee Milan Ki Raat. He later transitioned seamlessly into television industry and worked in shows like Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai, Balika Vadhu, Doli Armaano Ki, and Piya Albela.
