Dil Dhadakne Do Review (2015): Shefali Shah was not the first choice for Zoya Akhtar film, Nikki Walia reveals she lost the role Actress Nikki Walia revealed that she was the original choice for the role played by Shefali Shah in Zoya Akhtar's 2015 film Dil Dhadakne Do, traveling from the UK for readings before being replaced at the last minute. Director Zoya Akhtar's critically acclaimed drama film Dil Dhadakne Do hit theatres in 2015, featuring a memorable performance by Shefali Shah as Anil Kapoor's wife. An untold behind-the-scenes casting story has now emerged, shared by actress Nikki Walia, who revealed that she was actually the initial choice for this prominent role before a last-minute change altered the final cast. The UK Call and Cruise Preparations In a recent interview, Nikki Walia detailed how close she came to being part of the major project. Zoya Akhtar had specially flown her down from the United Kingdom to India for the specific character. Upon arriving, she participated in several script-reading sessions and meetings with the core team. The makers were thoroughly impressed with her preparation, and her dates for the extensive cruise ship schedule were completely locked in. Passport Submitted Before the Sudden Cancellation The casting process had advanced so far that the production team had even collected her passport for travel arrangements. Nikki Walia explained that she was heading back home to inform her family that she would be away for two to three months shooting on a cruise when she received a call just a day before her departure. Zoya Akhtar expressed deep regret over the phone, informing her that due to certain production decisions, they could no longer proceed with her. Lingering Regret and No Hard Feelings The abrupt loss of such a major career opportunity left a lasting impact on the actress. Nikki Walia admitted that watching a finalized project slip away caused her significant disappointment, and she still harbours a quiet wish that she had secured the part. However, she maintained a mature perspective, stating that whatever is not destined simply does not happen, and she holds no bitterness or resentment toward Zoya Akhtar or the film crew. Understanding Shefali Shah's Casting Reflecting on why Shefali Shah ultimately got the role, Nikki Walia shared her thoughts on the creative direction taken by the makers. While she felt confident in her own suitability for the part, she acknowledged that the studio made a deliberate artistic choice. She suggested that the directors might have perceived her screen presence as slightly stronger compared to Shefali Shah, potentially seeking an actress who could portray a more vulnerable and emotionally fragile wife, a zone in which Shefali Shah excels. Star-Studded Cast of the 2015 Hit Concluding her thoughts, she noted that creative decisions rest entirely with the creators and questioning them serves no purpose, though the regret of missing out on such a stellar opportunity remains. Dil Dhadakne Do went on to become a major success upon its 2015 release, boasting an ensemble star cast that included Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, and Farhan Akhtar. Questions & Answers 1. Is Dil Dhadakne Do worth watching? Yes, Zoya Akhtar's film is well worth watching for its stellar ensemble cast, engaging family drama, and music. 2. Who was originally chosen for Shefali Shah's role in Dil Dhadakne Do? Actress Nikki Walia was originally chosen and had even traveled from the UK for the role. 3. Why was Nikki Walia replaced at the last minute? She was replaced due to creative decisions made by the makers, with Zoya Akhtar personally informing her over a phone call. 4. In which year was Dil Dhadakne Do released? The film was released in the year 2015. https://trendkia.com/en/bollywood/dil-dhadakne-do-review-2015-shefali-shah-was-not-the-first-choice-for-zoya-akhtar-film-nikki-walia-reveals-she-lost-the-role-17986 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.