Sakshi Tanwar Replaces Mahie Gill Opposite Sunny Deol In Mohalla Assi
Mahie was director's choice for role that went to TV actress Sakshi Tanwar in Mohalla Assi. Apparently, producers and allegedly lead actor Sunny Deol felt she would be too young to play the part.
What? Mahie Gill was the director's choice to play Sunny Deol's wife in Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi's "Mohalla Assi", based on Dr Kashinath Singh's Kashi Ka Assi. Tv actress Sakshi Tanwar was the producer's choice for the movie being shot on location in Benares till 15 March.
So the role eventually went to Sakshi Tanwar.
According to source, "The producers had originally decided to cast Sakshi Tanwar as Sunny's wife. The director felt the Dev D actress would suit the role better. But just before the shooting began, Sakshi replaced Mahie. Sunny is responsible for the last minute change in the casting. He was a tad uncomfortable romancing Mahie who played cousin Abhay's lover in Dev D. He also felt that the girl looked a bit younger for the role of his wife. So out went Gill and in came Tanwar".
Dwivedi says, "We screen tested a lot of people. Our producers felt that Mahie looking quite young for the role and that Sunny's pairing went better with Sakshi. It was the producer's decision not mine".
He strongly denied that it was Deol's doing, "Sunny never interfered in casting. In fact, he never even discussed it. Suitability, availability of dates and price are deciding factors in casting and I let my producers take such calls".
Mahie Gill says, "I was finalized for the role. But later on, I found out that they went with Sakshi because I was looking young for the role. Maybe the movie was not in my destiny. Its okay. I have no regrets. I am sure I will get more chances to work with Dwivedi Sir".
Edited by Isa_de - 14 years ago