R. Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut‘s Tanu Weds Manu, directed by Aanand L Rai and co-starring Deepak Dobriyal, Swara Bhasker and Mohd. Zeeshan Ayubb, was a classic love story that went on to become a huge success among audiences. Kangana was hugely appreciated for her performance in the film and even won a National award for it. And her and Madhavan’s pairing, though unusual then, was a total riot that was loved by everyone.

Now, imagine thinking that Madhavan may have been paired with someone else in the film? Yes, actress Neetu Chandra recently revealed that she was cast first for Kangana’s role in the film.

Speaking exclusively with Bollywood Hungama, Neetu said that while she was cast initially in the film, Kangana came in only much later on the suggestion by R. Madhavan himself. She states that Madhavan himself said in an interview that he recommended Kangana’s name for the role and because everyone approved of her, Neetu was replaced.

She further says:

In this industry, I don’t come from a background to push myself like ‘No! I am going to do it!’ I stand at a position where I am helpless. You think I am not helpless? Yes, I am. If you want me to remove from a project, you think I can do anything? No, I can’t. Nobody can do it. There are a lot of actresses who are replaced by others but I think I take it in a way that this was my destiny. I have no complaints.

She also adds that it is not just Tanu Weds Manu, but that she has been replaced in more than 6 films in the past. Neetu has previously starred in films like Garam Masala, Traffic Signal, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! among others.