Prateik Babbar's untold tale of missing out on 'Milkha Singh's' role

Born into the lineage of actors Smita Patil and Raj Babbar, Prateik Babbar had an early introduction to the film industry. Despite his inherent connection, his path to success was marked by twists and turns, including missed opportunities that significantly impacted his career trajectory.

In a recent conversation with The Times of India, Prateik shared a poignant anecdote about a missed chance that could have altered his career dramatically. The actor revealed that he was initially set to headline the biographical sports drama "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" and portray the legendary Milkha Singh. Recollecting the moment, he recounted how he stepped into the audition room right after Ranveer Singh, only to be halted abruptly as the casting team had found their ideal choice.

Prateik delved into the details, narrating his reading sessions with screenwriter Prasoon Joshi and a visit from director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra while he was shooting in Udaipur for Aarakshan. 

Unfortunately, the deal fell apart during the negotiation of commercials, with Prateik's agency inadvertently ghosting the production team. 

To his dismay, he discovered that Farhan Akhtar had secured the coveted role. Reflecting on this episode, Prateik expressed enduring disappointment.

In the same candid interview, Prateik opened up about his battle with substance abuse, attributing it to a downturn in his acting career. He revealed how his struggle with addiction led to projects being shelved, as he was incapacitated to deliver dialogues or even show up on set.