'I Couldn't Do It:' Varun Dhawan rejected Andhadhun with Kangana Ranaut; Fans say, 'He Would Have Ruined It'

Bollywood actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut is returning to the big screen with director Manoj Tapadia's upcoming period crime thriller Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata.

Last week, Kangana unveiled the trailer of the film, in which she plays a nurse at Cama Hospital, one of the locations targeted during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The film shines a light on the unsung heroes in uniform, nurses and their crucial role in keeping the hospital operational and patients safe despite the terror strike.

Having portrayed a nurse on screen, Kangana believes the profession deserves greater respect and multiple reforms, ranging from pay structures to uniforms.

"More than their lives, there should be a change in what people feel towards them. It's the most sexualised profession. People dress up as nurses on Halloween and crack jokes about them. They're underpaid, overworked and sexualised," Kangana said.

She added, "There was a dialogue in our film where two people look at a nurse and say, 'Time mila toh do-chaar baatein bhi kar lo.' We couldn't keep that line due to time constraints. But that's the reality. We don't give nurses the respect they deserve. The same is true for watchmen and cleaning staff. They clean up after patients. That's such an important task. But they're only looked at, never truly noticed."

Kangana also believes that the sexualisation of nurses may partly stem from their uniforms, which she feels still carry a colonial hangover.

"The dress code for nurses dates back to the British era. Doctors can wear anything and simply put a coat over it. But our nurses still wear that typical uniform, whether it's hot or cold. It feels like a foreign look," she said.

However, Kangana clarified that she was not questioning the dignity or values associated with the uniform.

"We've worked with a lot of integrity and dignity as far as the uniform is concerned in the film. Its shape or size doesn't matter. It's your uniform, it's your duty. But having said that, I personally feel it's a very British look. Pins, caps and belts seem influenced by the US Navy from World War I and II," she claimed.

The actor called for reforms in nursing uniforms and suggested they should be "Indianised." She also said nurses themselves should be consulted about what they would prefer to wear while at work. Kangana hopes the film will encourage audiences to view nurses with greater respect and appreciation.

Kangana Ranaut is known for her outspoken statements and unfiltered opinions. Over the years, she has frequently criticised Bollywood's nepotism culture and has taken digs at several star kids, including Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Ranbir Kapoor. She has also famously labelled Karan Johar the "flag bearer of nepotism". Her remarks sparked a nationwide debate on nepotism in the film industry, a discussion that continues even today. Several industry members have reportedly distanced themselves from her, with some allegedly unwilling to work with her due to her confrontational approach and outspoken nature.

Varun Dhawan reveals he turned down Andhadhun

Varun Dhawan recently expressed his desire to work with Kangana Ranaut. During a conversation with Tanmay Bhat, Varun also revealed that he turned down what he considers a very good film, Andhadhun.

Directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Tabu, Andhadhun went on to become one of Bollywood's most acclaimed films, winning National Awards for Best Hindi Film, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor.

Speaking about the film, Varun said, "I think I said no to a good film, which became a very good film, Andhadhun. But I was filming something else, so I couldn't do it. The original cast of the film was supposed to be me and Kangana Ranaut."

Netizens react

One user wrote, "Both would have been as good as Ayushmann and Tabu. They have proved their mettle as actors. Andhadhun was completely dependent on its writing."

Another commented, "No doubt about Kangana's acting, but I still have my doubts about Varun Dhawan in a murder mystery and suspense thriller."

A third user joked, "Ah yes, the classic Bollywood 'what if' moment. Imagine a parallel universe where Varun Dhawan is solving murders instead of dancing in song-and-dance sequences. Somehow, I don't think Andhadhun would've had the same suspense vibe. Ayushmann just owns the unpredictable, darkly comic energy that made it click. Some roles really do find their soulmate actor."

About Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata

Interestingly, the title Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata was inspired by a term coined by Narendra Modi for India's workers. The film was originally titled "Nurses of Cama," but Kangana later decided to rename it.

However, the title was already registered by John Abraham's production house. At the trailer launch, Kangana thanked John for allowing the team to use the title free of charge within a day of receiving a request from his former Shootout at Wadala co-star.

Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai box office collection

Meanwhile, Varun was recently seen in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, which released on Friday. The film has failed to make a significant impact at the box office during its opening weekend, collecting around Rs 24 crore.