Many top actors including Balakrishna, Pawan Kalyan and Sridevi haw rejected S.S. Rajamouli’s films. Find out why they turned down these blockbuster roles.

S.S. Rajamouli is one of India’s most celebrated filmmakers who is known for creating cinematic masterpieces like Baahubali and RRR. While many actors aspire to work with him, some surprisingly turned down his offers. Here’s a look at some top Telugu actors who rejected Rajamouli’s films and the reasons behind their decisions.

Pawan Kalyan

Rajamouli was keen on casting Pawan Kalyan as the protagonist in Vikramarkudu fiom. He even had multiple discussions with the star. But Pawan Kalyan was not convinced about the role and chose to decline it. The role eventually went to Ravi Teja who delivered a remarkable performance. Vikramarkudu became one of Ravi Teja’s most notable hits.

Balakrishna

Rajamouli initially approached Nandamuri Balakrishna for the lead role in Simhadri. But Balakrishna declined the offer. The role was later played by Jr. NTR which became a massive success. Simhadri has enhanced Jr. NTR’s position as a leading star. Balakrishna’s decision is seen as a missed opportunity considering the film’s iconic status.

John Abraham

Interestingly Bollywood actor John Abraham was considered for the role of Bhallaladeva in Baahubali. John was initially hesitant about starring in a regional language film and turned down the offer. The role was then offered to Rana Daggubati whose portrayal earned widespread acclaim. Rana’s intense performance made Bhallaladeva a memorable antagonist in Indian cinema.

Mohanlal

The character of Kattappa from Baahubali is unforgettable but not many know that the role was first offered to Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. Mohanlal declined the offer due to his busy schedule and prior commitments. Eventually Satyaraj stepped into the role and delivered an iconic performance by gaining immense praise for his emotional portrayal.

Sridevi

Legendary actress Sridevi was initially approached to play Rajamata Sivagami in Baahubali. But she reportedly demanded a high remuneration which did not align with the film’s budget. As a result Rajamouli cast Ramya Krishnan in the role. Ramya’s powerful performance became one of the highlights of the film.

Trisha

Trisha Krishnan was offered the female lead in Maryada Ramanna which featured Sunil in the lead role. She declined the offer as she is reportedly concerned that acting opposite a comedian might affect her career as a lead actress. The role eventually went to Saloni, who received praise for her performance.

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