Did you know Vanvaas actor Kushboo Sundar was supposed to star in Ram Teri Ganga Maili but Raj Kapoor replaced her? Find out why

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As an ardent admirer of Kushboo Sundar’s illustrious career, I find it nothing short of mesmerizing to delve into her captivating journey that began in the vibrant 80s and continued to flourish through the subsequent decades. The tale of her near-miss with the iconic role of Ganga in Ram Teri Ganga Maili is a testament to the serendipitous nature of showbiz, a rollercoaster ride that has often left many a talented artist at the mercy of fate’s whims.

Imagine, if you will, the young Kushboo Sundar, a 14-year-old prodigy, on the brink of stardom, poised to make her mark in one of Bollywood’s most iconic films alongside the legendary Raj Kapoor himself. Alas, it was not meant to be, as she was deemed too young for the role by none other than the maestro himself. Yet, fate has a peculiar sense of humor – Kushboo’s life story is peppered with such instances that make one chuckle and marvel at the same time.

In the grand scheme of things, it seems that destiny had another plan for the young actress, as she embarked on a journey that led her to become a major star in Tamil and Telugu cinema during the 90s, with notable roles in Meri Jung (1985) and Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986). After a brief hiatus, she made a triumphant comeback in 2021, gracing our screens once again in Annaatthe alongside the one and only Rajinikanth. And now, with her most recent film, Vanvaas, marking her return to Bollywood after more than three decades, one can’t help but wonder what Raj Kapoor might have thought if he could see her today.

And so, as I sit here, reminiscing about Kushboo Sundar’s incredible journey and the tantalizing brush with stardom she experienced at such a tender age, I can’t help but chuckle at the irony of it all – for who would have thought that the young girl deemed too young to play Ganga would, years later, become a star in her own right? Truly, life is stranger than fiction.

Kushboo Sundar, an actress who started her career as a child artist in the 80s and later rose to fame in Tamil and Telugu films during the 90s, has shared an intriguing tidbit about her past. It turns out that she was once in contention for the iconic role of Ganga in Raj Kapoor’s Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Unfortunately, at just 14 years old, she was deemed too young to play a mature character, resulting in Mandakini being cast instead, who went on to make the role truly memorable.

During a chat with Vickey Lalwani on his YouTube channel, Kushboo Sundar disclosed an interesting tale regarding Raj Kapoor’s original intention to introduce her in the movie “Ram Teri Ganga Maili”. She divulged that “Raj Kapoor had planned to debut me in the film and we even took photographs for it.

She went on to say that upon viewing the photos, he voiced his opinion that she was ideal for portraying the character of Ganga. Nonetheless, due to intense snowfall at Gangotri, it was decided by the team to initiate filming in Kolkata instead. In Kolkata, they would film the brothel scene, where the character was already a mother to a child.

1984 saw the filming of Ram Teri Ganga Maili, which was subsequently released the following year, serving as the debut for Rajiv Kapoor, Raj Kapoor’s youngest son, and actress Mandakini in leading roles. Notably, Mandakini took over the legendary character of Ganga from Kushboo after Raj Kapoor reconsidered his casting decision.

The actress shared that at 14 years old, she believed she was still too immature for the part. She further explained, “Raj ji commented, ‘She’s just a child herself, and holding a baby wouldn’t look convincing.’ He wasn’t able to proceed with the film production, which ultimately prevented me from taking on that role.

In a dedication to its title, I found myself deeply immersed in the captivating tale of “Ram Teri Ganga Maili,” jointly penned and guided by the legendary Raj Kapoor. This masterpiece showcased the remarkable performances of Rajiv Kapoor and Mandakini as the leading actors. To my delight, it became an enormous box-office sensation, marking a significant milestone in my beloved Raj Kapoor’s career as it served as his final directorial endeavor.

Kushboo Sundar launched her movie career by playing the lead in Meri Jung (1985). She then made her debut in Telugu cinema with Kaliyuga Pandavulu (1986). Later, she moved to Chennai and became a prominent actress in Tamil and Telugu films during the 90s. After a break of 13 years, she returned to acting in 2021 with Annaatthe, working alongside Rajinikanth. Her latest project, Vanvaas, signifies her return to Bollywood after over three decades.

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2025-01-02 11:38