Gunday: role reversal for Arjun Kapoor, Ranveer Singh

The actors were stumped when director Ali Abbas Zafar switched their roles for their next film

When director Ali Abbas Zafar narrated the script of Gunday to Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, the actors were thrilled, because the personalities of the two protagonists were strikingly similar to their own. But then Ali sprung a surprise on them when he offered Ranveer the part that Arjun thought would suit him, and vice versa.

"Arjun connected with the intense character of Bikram, who is a brooding, angry, young man. And Ranveer was thrilled to hear the story from Bala’s point of view. Bala is this flamboyant, boisterous and outspoken guy, a lot like Ranveer himself,” says a source.

The actors were in for a bit of a shock when they were informed about their parts. “Ali revealed that he would like Ranveer to play Bikram’s role and he wanted Arjun as Bala,” adds the insider.

Incidentally, Ranveer even tried reasoning with Ali, telling him that Bala suited him better as the audience has seen him in such a role in the past. But the director didn’t budge. “Arjun too felt more comfortable as Bikram, but eventually they both agreed,” says the source.

Now, as the film is set to release, insiders reveal that Ranveer and Arjun are glad that they weren’t able to convince Ali initially. “After watching the response to the promos and the rushes, they’re both happy that they went with what Ali had decided,” adds the source.

Confirming the story, Ali says, “It was obvious that both Ranveer and Arjun wanted to choose roles that were closest to their personalities. We convinced them to do the opposite parts.”