Role reversal: What if these Bollywood actors were in different films?

In Race and Race 2, Saif Ali Khan made for quite a sleek and stylish protagonist, something that comes naturally to the charming actor. Now, the makers have replaced him with another actor, who’s known for his attitude and swag — Salman Khan. With franchise movies on the rise in B-Town, After Hrs looks at actors who can replace the originals in the sequels...

Anushka Sharma in Kahaani

Anushka Sharma might best be known for her bubbly, chirpy roles, but the actress put an end to that with her gritty performance in Sultan and NH10. One of the most sought-after actresses today, she would be apt to play Vidya Balan’s performance-oriented role in Kahaani.

Ajay Devgn in Dabangg

Chulbul Pandey might not have been the honest, law-abiding cop but what he lacked in morals, he made up in attitude! We think Ajay Devgn, who has done serious cop roles in Singham, should try and play a goofy, fun cop like Chulbul.

Salman Khan in Singham

While Salman has played the fun cop in both the Dabanggs, it’s been a while since we saw him get into the serious cop mode. Since his last two films, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Tubelight, showed him as the guy-next-door, it will be interesting to see him play a no-nonsense cop. Plus, we really want to see Salman mouth the dialogue — ‘Aata maazhi satakli!’

Shahid Kapoor in Welcome

While the first film starred Akshay Kumar in the lead, the second saw John Abraham heading the comic caper. We would like to see Shahid Kapoor’s name in the third film, whenever it is made. With heavy-duty movies like Haider, and now Padmavati ahead of him, it would be refreshing to see him having a bit of fun on the big screen.

Hrithik Roshan in Golmaal

While Hrithik Roshan has attempted light-hearted roles early in his career, like Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon and Mujhse Dosti Karoge, his last few films have been serious. Think Kaabil, Agneepath, and Mohenjo Daro. With so much stress in his real life at present, we think it’s a good time for the light-eyed actor to attempt an out-and-out comedy. And what better than Golmaal for that!

Arjun Kapoor in Housefull

We got a double dose of Arjun Kapoor in Mubarakan, where he got to show off his funny side. There was a lot of confusion in the film, owing to the twins, Akshay Kumar’s Housefull, too, revolves around mistaken identities. 
Arjun has done this once, so why not again?

Ranbir Kapoor in Dhoom

The antagonist is the protagonist in the Dhoom series and we’d love to see Ranbir Kapoor play the baddie. He always experiments with his roles, but the one thing he has not done is play the bad guy. He would nail it. We are eager to see how he will play the larger-than-life negative character on screen. Goosebumps already!

Saif Ali Khan in Don

We saw him last as the underdog in Chef. But we want more of the Saif we saw in Ek Haseena Thi, Phantom and Agent Vinod. The suave actor needs to get back into that space. Think designer jackets, Bond-style action scenes, cigar smoking-sexy women around him. And, now, think of him in and as Don. Fits like a glove, doesn’t it?

Deepika Padukone in Tanu Weds Manu

She has shown that she can do a mad comedy in Chennai Express and who can forget her understated performance in Piku? Her bold avatar in Cocktail, too, was a revelation. Kangana’s outspoken character in Tanu Weds Manu will surely get an uplift with DP reprising the role and giving it her own twist.

Tiger Shroff in Ek Tha Tiger/Tiger Zinda Hai

Who better than Tiger Shroff to take forward the legacy of Tiger, the RAW agent? Not only is he a good-looking actor but can also pull off daring stunts and action scenes required for a spy espionage film as well. And his name, duh!

Varun Dhawan in Aashiqui

He’s played the goofy lover in films like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Main Tera Hero. He’s played the revenge-obsessed lover in Badlapur. He’s played the comic lovers in his last release, Judwaa 2. But we have never seen the actor play the serious, melancholic lover. And, we think Varun should give that a try with Aashiqui.

Sanjay Dutt in Sarkar

It’s difficult to imagine anyone stepping into Big B’s shoes. However, with his brooding eyes and tall, broad frame, we think Sanjay Dutt would best fit into the Sarkar mode. This would be a role to look out for the actor, who has got back to acting with a vengeance after a long time. Also, fans like him in underworld films from Kaante to Vaastav.

Sanjay Mishra, Sidharth Malhotra and Ayushmann Khurrana in Hera Pheri

The three unemployed men, all facing financial trouble, in this cult comedy would get a shot in the arm if the roles are reprised by Sanjay Mishra, who has already proved his mettle in comedy and can easily get into Paresh Rawal’s shoes and Sidharth Malhotra, who can look as nerdy and naïve as Suniel Shetty. For Akshay, who plays the slightly more conniving and sly fella, we think Ayushmann would do a good job.

Aditya Roy Kapur, Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao in Masti

The good thing about today’s generation of actors is that they are willing to experiment. And if it’s a sex comedy, then we suggest these guys’ names for the roles played by Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani. They are all contemporaries and good at what they do. While Rajkummar’s name may seem out of place here (you’re thinking of him in his last film, the brilliant Newton), that’s exactly why we suggested it. This guy can do 
anything!

Akshay Kumar for Krissh

Akshay Kumar started his career with action films but then he limited himself to comedy films and lately social dramas like Jolly LLB, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Padman. He needs to play a superhero because he doesn’t even need a cape to bound about. With that physique and those macho looks, we think it’s time Akshay went into a zone he has never explored before!

Ranveer Singh for Kya Kool Hain Hum

Ranveer Singh is crazy cool, flamboyant and irreverent. And he can pull off this sex comedy, without making it sleazy. It’s something no other action of his generation can manage.