Abhishek Bachchan is gearing up for the release of Shoojit Sircar’s upcoming film I Want To Talk, where he plays the lead role. The actor has been deeply invested in promoting the film and reportedly even gained weight to bring authenticity to his character. However, director Shoojit Sircar recently revealed that Abhishek was not the initial choice for the role. Originally, Sircar had envisioned the late Irrfan Khan in the lead role. During an appearance on a podcast, Sircar shared, “In I Want To Talk, it was supposed to be Irrfan. Abhishek came quite close to that. I am very satisfied with the performance.”
Irrfan Khan, a highly respected actor known for his versatility, passed away in 2020 after battling neuroendocrine cancer. His passing left a significant void in the film industry, and many of his planned projects had to be reconsidered.
Discussing the film itself, Sircar described it as a simple, slice-of-life story focusing on family dynamics, particularly the bond between a father and daughter. Similar in tone to Sircar’s earlier works like Piku and October, I Want To Talk delves into the everyday struggles and joys of life. Sircar explained, “It’s a simple, slice-of-life film about families, fathers and daughters, everyday life… We often feel the task is going to be insurmountable, or life is going to be tough, but then we look back and realise that it was just a small thing. The film deals with life lessons with a smile.”
Fans of Irrfan Khan will undoubtedly feel his absence, but Sircar’s confidence in Abhishek’s performance suggests that he brings a unique and heartfelt touch to the role, honoring the spirit of the character initially intended for Irrfan.
