Director Raaj Shaandilyaa defends replacing Nushrratt Bharuccha in Dream Girl 2: ‘Third part mein Ananya Panday nahi hogi’ | Bollywood News

A spiritual sequel to the 2019 film Dream Girl, Dream Girl 2 was released in 2023 and became a commercial success, grossing approximately ₹140 crore worldwide. It ranked among the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year. While most of the cast from the original returned, one notable absence was actress Nushrratt Bharuccha, who was replaced Ananya Panday in the sequel.
Recently, while promoting her upcoming film Chhorii 2, Nushrratt expressed disappointment over not being part of the sequel. Director Raaj Shaandilyaa addressed the casting decision in an interview with Times of India. He explained that Dream Girl 2 was not intended as a direct sequel but rather as a franchise installment. “If it were a sequel, I would have cast Nushrratt ,” he said. But since it was a franchise film, they decided to go with a new lead.
Raaj Shaandilyaa elaborated that the story of Dream Girl concluded with Ayushmann and Nushrratt ’s characters. The second installment was meant to tell a new story with a new female lead while retaining some core characters like Annu Kapoor, Manjot Singh, and Vijay Raaz.
Story continues below this ad

Also Read | Why Ayushmann Khurrana’s Dream Girl 2 is his most insincere film
He added that there was no reason for Nushrratt to feel disappointed. He had already discussed the decision with her and offered the same explanation. He also mentioned that if a third installment is made, a new actress would be cast again, and Ananya would not be returning either.
Calling Nushrratt  a “dear friend,” he urged her to move past the issue. He revealed that he is currently producing a new film and is actively approaching Nushrratt  for a role, expressing hope to collaborate with her again soon.
Speaking to Nayandeep Rakshit, Nushrratt expressed hurt that she was not a part of the film, “It hurt me even more when I was not part of my own sequel also, when every other actor was the same except the girl, which I felt was, not cool naa, guys? Just not cool. But, theek hai, no problem.”Story continues below this ad

When asked why didn’t she fight for it, she said, “I can’t fight something I know is not going to change in any way; what do I fight? What am I going to say? ‘Why not me?’ They’ll say, ‘because we don’t want you.’ That’s the truth of it; it ends there. Eventually, it’s the choice somebody’s making, right? I cannot question your choice.” She added that the only thing she can do is not giving up on herself.

Raaj Shaandilyaa’s most recent directorial venture was Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, which released last year.