Shoojit Sircar reveals Irrfan Khan was the first choice for Sardar Udham and I Want To Talk: ‘I decided to shelve the project…’

Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, currently promoting his upcoming film I Want To Talk starring Abhishek Bachchan, recently opened up about his collaboration with the late actor Irrfan Khan. In a candid conversation on Cyrus Says, Shoojit revealed that his critically acclaimed film Sardar Udham, starring Vicky Kaushal, was initially planned with Irrfan in the lead role.
“Irrfan was supposed to play the lead in Sardar Udham but it was unfortunate. Then I asked him… And at one point, I decided to shelve the project also. I said I would not do it and then I went spoke to to Irrfan. I asked him ‘Irrfan…’. He said ‘Dada, please don’t. You must do this film, this is your baby’. And that’s how Vicky Kaushal happened and I went ahead. Of course, I missed Irrfan,” Shoojit shared.
Shoojit further revealed that even for his upcoming project, I Want To Talk, he had envisioned Irrfan in the lead role. “Even for this one it was supposed to be Irrfan but Abhishek also came quite close to that. Very satisfied with his performance.” He added, “All my films in my head, it is all Irrfan. So Vicky came a little closer to that so he did it, he did a fine job in Sardar Udham.”

Reflecting on his bond with Irrfan, who passed away in 2020 after battling neuroendocrine cancer, Shoojit said, “Irrfan was a dear friend. Irrfan is like a… I find there is a huge vacuum.”

Interestingly, Shoojit is also working with Irrfan’s son, Babil Khan, in a film titled The Umesh Chronicles. Babil is carving his path in the industry, and the project, which also features a cameo by Amitabh Bachchan, holds a special place for Shoojit. “I cast his son for a film and it is still in the process. He is doing a film with us,” he remarked.