They needed a star: Arshad Warsi on why Akshay Kumar replaced him in Jolly LLB 2

Arshad Warsi talks about why Akshay Kumar replaced him in the Jolly LLB sequel; admits that if he directs a film, he would, too, like to cast a star in it.

Ever since he made his Bollywood acting debut in Tere Mere Sapne (1996), Arshad Warsi has played a variety of roles, including a lawyer in Jolly LLB (2013). Now, Akshay Kumar has replaced the 48-year-old in the Subhash Kapoor-directed sequel of the same movie. Arshad feels that “one has to accept the reality”.

Arshad Warsi says if he ever directs a film, he won’t cast himself, so that his life “becomes easy.” (HT Photo)

“I feel bad that I am not doing the film. It will be stupid of me to say I don’t feel bad. However, it doesn’t really bother me. That is the truth, and when you accept the reality, life becomes easier. It becomes a problem only when you fight the reality. The film’s makers needed a star, and it’s as simple as that,” says Arshad.

Akshay Kumar has started shooting for Jolly LLB 2 that also features Huma Qureshi. (HT Photo)

Interestingly, the actor admits that when there is a star in a film, “life becomes very simple” for the makers. “Also, the chances of success, the money recovery, the promotions, and everything else become a cakewalk. If I direct a film, I will also want a star in it. I won’t cast myself, so that my life becomes easy. That’s how it is — pure business. And that’s absolutely fine,” he says.

Arshad adds that the “only thing that matters is the box office [collection]”. “It doesn’t have anything to do with me doing a good job, and being a good actor or a good human being. That is absolutely of no consequence. If I don’t rake in at the box office, that’s the end of the story. I am fortunate enough that despite all of that, I am going on and on [in my career]. I should not be cribbing,” he says.

Arshad Warsi’s outing in Jolly LLB got him a lot of critical acclaim. (HT Photo)

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But does he also feel Jolly LLB is one of his best performances? “Till date, I have never felt that I have done a great job in any film. I just did what the director had in mind. In fact, I used to keep telling my director that an actor can only be as good as the director allows him to be,” says Arshad, who will next be seen in Aankhen 2 and Golmaal 4.

Also, rumours are rife that Arshad could have a special appearance in the sequel. The actor says, “I don’t know. To say the truth, I can’t even blame the makers or Subhash because when one watches the film, one will realise why I am not in it. One will see the reason why Boman (Irani) is also not in the film. There is a little twist in the tale, which one can only understand after watching the movie.”