Arjun Rampal replaced by Siddharth in 'Rang De Basanti': Here's why
Synopsis
Long before Rang De Basanti became a cult classic, Arjun Rampal was cast in the role that made Siddharth famous — and he walked off the set. In a rare candid disclosure on Koffee with Karan, Rampal blamed director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's erratic approach and hinted at Aamir Khan's reservations, claiming the episode also cost him three months of lost work.
Key Takeaways
Arjun Rampal was originally cast as Karan Singhania in Rang De Basanti before being replaced by Siddharth .
Rampal reportedly shot for a couple of days before walking off the set.
He cited director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's erratic and confused approach as the primary reason for his exit.
Rampal also suggested that Aamir Khan had reservations about his casting, though he did not allege a direct confrontation.
He claims to have blocked his dates for three months at the filmmaker's request, losing other work opportunities as a result.
Rang De Basanti (2006) went on to win the National Award and earn an Academy Award nomination .
Actor Arjun Rampal was originally cast in the role of Karan Singhania in the celebrated 2006 film Rang De Basanti — a part that ultimately went to actor Siddharth. In a candid appearance on the chat show Koffee with Karan, Rampal opened up about the circumstances that led to his abrupt exit from the project, pointing to tensions around his casting and a director he found erratic and confused.
What Arjun Rampal Said About Aamir Khan
Rampal, known recently for his role in Dhurandhar, revealed that he had heard about lead actor Aamir Khan's well-known habit of closely involving himself in all creative decisions on his films. Without naming a direct confrontation, Rampal suggested that Khan had reservations about his casting. 'I had heard rumors that Aamir Khan does take a keen interest in his films, and I would have loved to work with him. But out of respect to him, he did have a lot of fears that he put on the table, and I hope all those fears are sorted now and can make the film that he wants,' Rampal told host Karan Johar.
The Director Dispute That Broke the Deal
Rampal reserved his sharpest criticism for director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, describing him as 'very confused' and 'very erratic' during the pre-production phase. He had reportedly shot for a couple of days before walking off the set. 'I had a problem with the director. I was signed for the film. I had a new look and blocked my dates. It just became very confusing because the director was very confused. I'm happy it didn't work out in a way, because Rakeysh was very confused about the script; he was very erratic, some days he would be like this is the way I want to do it and you're my character, oh are you my character? When someone is this confused, it's best to say I can't work with you and good luck,' Rampal said.
The Professional Cost Rampal Claims He Bore
Beyond the creative disputes, Rampal said the episode had a tangible professional cost. He had reportedly blocked his calendar for three months at the filmmaker's request, turning away other work during that window. 'I think it is very unprofessional to do that to an actor. Yes, there was a good amount of work coming to me and good work — and so people who were meant to be coming to me, didn't come. I have lost out on work,' he said. This came during a period when Rampal was among the more sought-after leading men in Hindi cinema.
How Rang De Basanti Turned Out
Despite the turbulent casting process, Rang De Basanti — released in 2006 — became one of Hindi cinema's landmark films, winning the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and earning an Academy Award nomination for India in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Siddharth's portrayal of Karan Singhania was widely appreciated, and the film cemented Aamir Khan's reputation as an actor willing to take bold, politically charged creative risks.
Point of View
Offered on a chat show rather than a press circuit, carries the hallmarks of an unscripted grievance — and that lends it credibility. What stands out is not the casting change itself, which is common in Hindi cinema, but the claimed cost: three blocked months and lost projects. The episode also surfaces a pattern worth noting — Aamir Khan's well-documented creative control over his films has long been an open industry secret, yet few actors from that era have spoken about it as directly as Rampal did. Whether Mehra was genuinely confused or simply iterating on a script in the way most directors do is, of course, only one side of the story.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Arjun Rampal replaced in Rang De Basanti?
Arjun Rampal was replaced in Rang De Basanti after disputes with director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, whom he described as very confused and erratic about the script and casting. He also hinted that lead actor Aamir Khan had reservations about his casting, which contributed to his exit from the film.
Who replaced Arjun Rampal in Rang De Basanti?
Actor Siddharth replaced Arjun Rampal in the role of Karan Singhania in Rang De Basanti (2006). Siddharth's performance in the film was widely praised and helped establish him as a notable presence in Hindi cinema.
Where did Arjun Rampal reveal this story?
Arjun Rampal revealed the details of his exit from Rang De Basanti during an appearance on the chat show Koffee with Karan, hosted by Karan Johar. He spoke candidly about both the director's approach and Aamir Khan's reported reservations.
Did Arjun Rampal suffer professionally because of the Rang De Basanti exit?
According to Rampal, yes — he had blocked his dates for three months at the filmmaker's request and turned away other work during that period, only to be removed from the project. He described this as very unprofessional and said he lost out on significant work opportunities as a result.
How successful was Rang De Basanti despite the casting changes?
Rang De Basanti (2006), directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and starring Aamir Khan, became one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated films. It won the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and was India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
