On August 28, 2025, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap disclosed that his upcoming crime drama Nishaanchi, set for release on September 19, was originally envisioned with the late Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead role. Kashyap, a maverick director, and Rajput, a beloved actor, were set to collaborate in 2016. The project stalled after Rajput prioritized major films, leaving Kashyap to recast. Announced in India, with filming in Lucknow. Discussions began in 2016, resurfacing in 2025 promotions. Kashyap’s candid interview highlights Bollywood’s dynamics and Rajput’s legacy.
The Untold Story of ‘Nishaanchi’ and Sushant
In an interview on August 28, 2025, Anurag Kashyap revealed that Nishaanchi, a gritty crime drama about twin brothers with contrasting values, was initially planned with Sushant Singh Rajput in 2016. Kashyap, known for Gangs of Wasseypur, shared that Rajput, fresh off Kai Po Che! (2013), was excited about the script. However, after signing two major Dharma Productions films—Dil Bechara and Drive—Rajput “stopped responding,” pushing Nishaanchi to the back burner.
A Pattern of Missed Collaborations
This wasn’t Kashyap’s first missed opportunity with Rajput. In 2020, he told that Rajput dropped Hasee Toh Phasee (2014), produced by Kashyap’s banner, for Yash Raj Films’ Shuddh Desi Romance (2013), seeking “validation” from big studios. Kashyap revisited Nishaanchi before M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016), but Rajput’s success led to further silence. Kashyap holds no grudges, noting, “It’s with every actor,”. Rajput’s tragic death on June 14, 2020, added a bittersweet layer to these revelations.
‘Nishaanchi’ Takes Shape in 2025
Now, Nishaanchi, releasing September 19, 2025, stars Aaishvary Thackeray in a double role as twin brothers Babloo and Dabloo, alongside Vedika Pinto, Monika Panwar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, and Kumud Mishra. Shot over 69 days in Lucknow’s Raja Dushyant Singh Kothi, the film channels the “Salim-Javed zone” of raw emotion and action. Kashyap’s August 8 X post, “Tayyari kar di hai! Emosan ka tadka, actsan ka dhamaka,” hyped its teaser.
A Reflection on Bollywood’s Dynamics
Rajput’s choice to prioritize Dharma’s projects underscores Bollywood’s pull toward big banners, a theme Kashyap critiques without bitterness. Some X users question if Nishaanchi would have elevated Rajput’s career, while others laud Kashyap’s persistence. Will Nishaanchi resonate as a tribute to what could have been? As it gears up for a box office clash with Jolly LLB 3, its journey from a Rajput dream to Thackeray’s debut highlights Kashyap’s commitment to his vision.
-By Manoj H