EXCLUSIVE: Shantanu Maheshwari talks about bagging Gangubai Kathiawadi, says, ‘I was prepared to be rejected’

Shantanu Maheshwari made his big Bollywood debut this year with the superhit Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial Gangubai Kathiwadi which starred Alia Bhatt in the lead role. Gangubai Kathiwadi has crossed the 100 crore mark at the box office making it is one of the highest grosser. This was quite the big break for Shantanu who has been seen in shows like Dil Dosti Dance, Girls on Top and many more. Maheshwari was seen playing the love interest of Gangu Afsaan. We sat down for an exclusive chat with the actor as he opened about how he bagged the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.

Shantanu told Bollywood Bubble, “I was excited that I was being approached for a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. I was very excited that I was getting a chance to work with him. Then they had also told me that I will get a chance to be part of one song with Alia Bhatt. They said this is your role, you are playing her love interest. That time when got it I didn’t know what was the story and who is Gangubai. Even on the internet, it was not available that Sir is making this movie. I was like o maybe it will be made after a long time, I was just happy that I was approached which is important.”

The actor further added, “So I went, did two-three auditions here and there. Then a look test was done, a photoshoot happened, I had to perform a scene in front of Sir once. It was a scene from the first draft. That whole draft changed. That was a scene of again heartbreak, Gangu must have rejected me and I get to know later from someone else.” Talking about Bhansali’s reaction to the audition, Maheshwari said, “He didn’t tell me anything. he was blank and I was also trying to understand. I was just looking for an expression that I can understand I did decently.”

 

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Talking about getting the final call of confirmation, Shantanu said, “I got a call after a week or something. When you stop thinking about it, is when you get the call. When I got the call I was prepared mentally that it is of rejection. For some reason, I had prepared mentally that this will not work out. But I was told the opposite, she said, ‘Shantanu you have been selected’. I was blank and said, ‘Are you joking?'”

Check out the full conversation with Shantanu Maheshwari below:

Also Read: Not Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted THIS actor to play Gangubai Kathiawadi