Vicky Kaushal replaces Irrfan Khan in Shoojit Sircar's Udham Singh
Vicky Kaushal is on a roll since last year. The actor tasted success and fame with Rajkumar Hirani's 2018 blockbuster Sanju and since then, he has been impressing the audience with his back-to-back films like Raazi, Manmarziyaan and the latest one Uri: The Surgical Strike. Uri is Vicky's first solo hero film and we all know that it did exceptionally well at the box office. Uri has minted over Rs 200 crore so far.
Now, Vicky is all set to collaborate with Shoojit Sircar for Udham Singh. The film set in the pre-independence era is based on the life of the freedom fighter. Udham Singh is scheduled to go on floors next month. Produced by Ronnie Lahiri, the movie will release in 2020.
Earlier, Irrfan Khan was to play the titular role in Udham Singh but it seems he opted out of the project due to his ill health.
Shoojit, who has earlier directed films such as Pink, October and Piku is quite impressed with Vicky. Moreover, his film is based in Punjab and Vicky is a Punjabi boy. Citing his reason for choosing Vicky for the role, Shoojit said, “If you look at Vicky’s track record, he is taking brave steps and making some really fabulous choices. I wanted an actor who is ready to give his heart and soul to the film. Plus, he is a Punjabi boy and my film is a story of a Punjabi man. So, in many ways, he turned to be the obvious choice.”
For Vicky, it is like a dream come true moment as he has always admired Shoojit Sircar's work. “It’s a surreal feeling because it’s like a dream come true as I am finally getting to work with him. I have always been a big admirer of how Shoojit sir looks at his stories. The way he is looking at the character (Udham Singh) and the world is extraordinary as well as beautiful. Plus, it’s also a big honour for me that finally, I am going to be directed by him. Honestly, that’s something that will take time to sink in,'' he said.
For unversed, freedom fighter Udham Singh assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab in British India in 1940, to avenge 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
