Fifteen years after its release, Badmaash Company remains a cult favorite for fans of sleek cons and slick performances. But as the film celebrates its anniversary, writer-director Parmeet Sethi has revealed a twist more dramatic than anything in the script: Shahid Kapoor almost wasn’t in the film.
In a recent interview with SCREEN, Parmeet Sethi shared that Shahid initially rejected the offer. At the time, the actor had committed to working on a film directed by his father, Pankaj Kapur. However, after reading the script of Badmaash Company, Shahid had a change of heart—choosing to walk away from his father’s project to lead Sethi’s con-caper instead.
According to Parmeet, casting Shahid was always a top priority. Alongside names like Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan, Shahid was among the most in-demand actors of that period. Ranbir was ruled out early as he was already shooting a similar-themed film, Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. Shahid, on the other hand, was seen as someone who could convincingly portray both the humble, middle-class charm and the high-rolling swagger needed for the film’s lead character.
“At first Shahid said no as he wanted to work on his father’s film,” Parmeet recalled. “But later, when he read the script, he dropped his dad’s movie to do Badmaash Company.” That pivotal decision changed the course of the film—and arguably Shahid’s career.
The surprises didn’t stop there. Parmeet also admitted he had reservations about casting Anushka Sharma. Having seen her in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, he felt she appeared too traditional for the bold, modern character he had envisioned. It was Aditya Chopra who recommended Anushka for the role. Though Parmeet was unsure at first, one meeting with the actress changed his mind. “She is God-gifted and has a very unique spontaneity to herself,” he said.
Casting the third key role—a funny, boyish character—also came with its own share of drama. After multiple auditions, including the son of a well-known celebrity who insisted on playing the lead instead, Parmeet was left scrambling. Someone suggested comedian Vir Das, but Parmeet initially dismissed him based on photos, assuming he looked too old. After meeting Vir in person, however, he immediately recognized the perfect fit.
What few know is that Badmaash Company was born not out of long-term planning, but sheer creative frustration. Parmeet wrote the script in just six days, inspired by a sudden burst of energy and the desire to tell a different kind of story. The first person he pitched it to was Aditya Chopra—who greenlit the project the very next day.
Fifteen years later, it’s hard to imagine Badmaash Company without its now-iconic cast. But behind every successful film is a series of almosts, maybes, and last-minute decisions. In this case, it took one powerful script—and a surprising change of heart—to bring Shahid Kapoor on board and turn a gamble into a genre-defining hit.