Kiran Rao Rejected Aamir Khan for Laapataa Ladies, Ravi Kishan Took the Role

Actor-politician Ravi Kishan, in a candid conversation with media platform, opened up about his struggles in cinema and his role in Laapataa Ladies. He also revealed an intriguing fact about Aamir Khan’s desire to play Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar in the film, which is India’s official entry for the Oscars 2025.

Ravi shared, “Aamir Khan was very keen on playing the role of the cop. He even went for the screen test, and it was excellent. But Kiran Rao, the director, made the bold decision not to cast him.”

Explaining Kiran’s perspective, Ravi recalled her saying, “Aamir’s screen test was really strong, but she felt casting him would tip the balance of the film. She wanted to keep the unpredictability alive.” Ravi further mentioned that Kiran believed Aamir’s presence might make the character’s arc too predictable for viewers.

When asked about Aamir’s reaction, Ravi chuckled, “Aamir Sir joked about Kiran doubting his acting skills. But both of them mutually decided that I should take on the role. It’s an honor to step into such a layered character.”

Kiran Rao, during a recent interaction, also elaborated on the casting decision, saying, “The role is grey throughout but shows an empathetic side in the end. With Aamir, audiences might have expected the twist because he is Aamir Khan.”

Laapataa Ladies, also called Lost Ladies internationally, features Pratibha Ranta, Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Chhaya Kadam. Ravi’s portrayal of the Sub-Inspector has been widely praised for its depth and authenticity. As the film gains international acclaim, Ravi expressed pride in being part of a project that showcases India’s cinematic excellence on a global stage.