Aditya Pancholi says he was first choice for Tezaab, sparks debate
Actor Aditya Pancholi stirred the conversation on social media after claiming he was originally cast opposite Madhuri Dixit in N. Chandra’s 1988 hit Tezaab. Pancholi posted his version of events on X (formerly Twitter) on October 27, 2025, and suggested that industry politics cost him the role.
What Pancholi wrote
In his post Pancholi said, “I was the original choice for Tezaab (1988), opposite @MadhuriDixit. Director N. Chandra, still very much around, can confirm this.” He added that an actor, aided by his elder brother who is still active in the industry, influenced the director to replace him.
Pancholi went on to broaden his point, arguing that favouritism and power games run deeper than what is commonly labelled as nepotism.
Why many read it as a dig at the Kapoors
Though Pancholi did not name anyone, many fans interpreted the post as a veiled reference to Anil Kapoor — and the phrase “elder brother” led some to point at Boney Kapoor. That reading has been widely discussed online, even though Boney Kapoor had no association with Tezaab at the time.
Tezaab, directed by N. Chandra, was a major turning point for Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit and will mark its 37th anniversary this November. So far, Anil Kapoor, Boney Kapoor and N. Chandra have not responded to Pancholi’s claims.
Public reaction and follow-up
- Responses on X ranged from supportive to critical, with users sharing anecdotes about Bollywood’s inner workings.
- One commenter accused the implied actor of lobbying for roles and sidelining others; Pancholi replied, “Khuch baatein ankahi rehne dein.”
- Another user raised past connections between Pancholi and the Kapoor family, referencing films like Musafir and Trimurti; Pancholi said he would write about Trimurti another time.
- Not all reactions backed Pancholi—some defended the Kapoors, noting their struggles in the eighties and suggesting Pancholi lacked a certain persona for such roles.
Where things stand
Pancholi’s post continues to circulate and fuel debate about power dynamics in Bollywood. With no official replies yet from those named indirectly, the post remains an unresolved claim that has reignited old conversations about how casting decisions are made.
