Mohit Suri’s latest release Saiyaara has struck gold at the box office, drawing comparisons to his 2013 hit Aashiqui 2. While much has already been said about Ahaan Panday’s casting in Saiyaara, the director recently revisited how Aditya Roy Kapur became the face of Aashiqui 2, a film that changed the course of his career.
In a recent chat with Siddharth Kannan, Mohit recalled holding a nationwide talent hunt to find fresh faces for Aashiqui 2. But when that didn’t work out, fate took a different turn. “Then suddenly, one of my assistants called Aditya Roy Kapur. I think Aditya didn’t even know who I was. He had no idea. I think Ranbir (Kapoor) told him, ‘Go meet him, he’s a good director,’” Mohit said.
Describing their first meeting, the director added, “Aditya showed up in shorts, chappals with socks, and a shirt. And while I was talking to him, he was spinning around in a revolving chair.”
While his team found the behaviour inappropriate, Mohit saw something more. “All my assistants were very offended, wondering what kind of behaviour this was. But in my mind, I was thinking this guy has come here on a bike.
If this same guy had arrived in a Range Rover, he would be my character, Rahul Jaykar. So I believe the best casting happens when the camera isn’t rolling.” His instincts proved right, as Aashiqui 2 went on to become a blockbuster, cementing Aditya’s place in the industry.