Abhishek Banerjee, known for his versatile roles from OTT’s Hathauda Tyagi to Jana in ‘Stree’ and ‘Bhediya,’ has recently made headlines not just for his acting but also for his experience as a casting director. Banerjee, who co-founded the casting company ‘Casting Bay’ with Anmol Ahuja, recently shared in a podcast that his company was removed from the casting of the 2012 film Agneepath. This revelation sparked widespread media attention, leading to a wave of speculation about the reasons behind their exit. Banerjee has now stated to clarify the situation and dispel any misunderstandings.
Misunderstandings Around ‘Agneepath’ Casting
In a recent podcast interview, Banerjee discussed his early experiences as a casting director and mentioned that Dharma Productions, led by Karan Johar, had fired his company during the casting of Agneepath. This statement was quickly picked up by various media outlets, leading to the misconception that Banerjee was accusing Johar and his production house of wrongdoings. However, Banerjee has now clarified that this was not his intention.
Abhishek Banerjee Explains What Happened
Banerjee clarified in his statement that his comments were taken out of context and presented in a way that he did not intend. He explained, “I have read and heard many reports about my company ‘Casting Bay’ being allegedly fired by Dharma Productions during the casting of Agneepath (2012). Unfortunately, this is being circulated as an allegation on my part against the production company.”
He elaborated that the issue was not with Karan Johar or Dharma Productions but rather with the fact that he and his partner, Anmol Ahuja, were very young and inexperienced at the time. “We were around 20 to 23 years old and had little or no experience of casting for a big commercial film, which is why we probably couldn’t align with director Karan Malhotra’s vision for Agneepath,” Banerjee explained.
Read: ‘Stree 2’ Actor Abhishek Banerjee Reveals Shocking Setback: Karan Sir Told Me ‘Get Out of Our Film’
Respect for Dharma Productions and Karan Johar
Banerjee emphasized that he has nothing but respect for Dharma Productions and Karan Johar. He clarified that his words were misinterpreted and that he never accused Dharma Productions or Karan Johar of firing him and his company from the project. “I respect Dharma Productions and Karan Johar a lot. I never took Karan Johar’s name for firing us from work. Yet, some reports have falsely claimed that he fired us from the job,” Banerjee stated.
The Real Reason Behind the Exit
Banerjee pointed out that the decision to remove his company from the project was made by Karan Malhotra’s team, not by Karan Johar or Dharma Productions. “I accepted my mistakes,” he said, explaining that he shared this story to motivate young professionals. He wanted to show that even when faced with setbacks or failures, one can always bounce back and find success.
Banerjee and his company have indeed made a strong comeback, having worked on numerous projects with Dharma Productions after the Agneepath incident. These projects include OK Jaanu, Student of the Year 2, Kalank, and the recently released films Kill and Gyaarah Gyaarah. Additionally, Dharma Productions cast Banerjee as an actor in Ajeeb Dastaan, further highlighting the positive relationship between them.
Read: Abhishek Banerjee: From Murari to Hero—A Journey of Passion and Perseverance
Maintaining a Positive Relationship with Dharma Productions
Banerjee concluded his statement by expressing his gratitude towards Dharma Productions and Karan Johar, emphasizing that they have always been supportive of him and his company. “Dharma Productions has always been very good to me and Casting Bay. This is a relationship that I value and want to maintain,” Banerjee said. He also shared his clarification on Instagram, humorously adding, “I am not saying all this for any hamper,” referencing the popular gift hampers associated with Karan Johar’s talk show.
Abhishek Banerjee’s clarification highlights the importance of context and understanding in public statements, especially in the fast-paced world of entertainment where words can easily be misinterpreted. His experience serves as a reminder that setbacks can be learning opportunities, and maintaining positive relationships in the industry is crucial for long-term success.
