How Wanted Rewrote Salman Khan’s Stardom — And Nearly Had a Different Leading Lady

Boney Kapoor reveals why Katrina Kaif didn’t make the cut and how a risky casting call helped launch Bollywood’s biggest action era

When Wanted hit theatres in 2009, it didn’t just become a commercial success—it reset Salman Khan’s career trajectory. Directed by Prabhu Deva, the film arrived at a time when Salman was struggling to regain his box-office dominance after a run of underperforming projects. Wanted changed everything, paving the way for a decade where Salman ruled the mass-action genre and delivered some of the biggest blockbusters of the 2010s.

Now regarded as a cult favourite, Wanted is remembered for its gritty action, whistle-worthy dialogues, chart-topping music, and the surprisingly fresh pairing of Salman Khan with Ayesha Takia. But according to producer Boney Kapoor, that casting choice was almost very different—and Ayesha nearly missed the film altogether.

Wanted was the official Hindi remake of Puri Jagannadh’s 2006 Telugu blockbuster Pokiri, which starred Mahesh Babu and redefined the commercial action template in South cinema. After watching Pokiri, Boney Kapoor was convinced the story could work in Hindi, with Salman perfectly suited for the dual-shaded character of Radhe, also known as Rajveer Shekhawat. However, locking Salman wasn’t easy. With his packed schedule, the actor missed multiple arranged screenings, making Kapoor anxious that he might lose the remake rights—something that had previously happened with Ghajini.

Once Salman finally watched Pokiri, he immediately greenlit the project. Prabhu Deva, who was making his Bollywood directorial debut at the time, was brought on board to helm the film, bringing with him a distinct South Indian mass sensibility that clicked strongly with Hindi audiences.
The biggest twist, however, came during the casting of the female lead. Salman reportedly suggested Katrina Kaif, his frequent co-star at the time, for the role. But Boney Kapoor had a different vision. Since the character required emotional distance and ambiguity in the romantic arc, Kapoor felt a fresh pairing would work better on screen. Several names were considered, including Genelia D’Souza, before Ayesha Takia was finalized.
That decision proved crucial. Ayesha’s innocence and vulnerability balanced Salman’s aggressive screen persona, giving Wanted an emotional anchor that resonated with audiences. The film went on to become a major box-office hit, earning far more than industry expectations and rebranding Salman as Bollywood’s undisputed mass-action hero.
More importantly, Wanted laid the foundation for Salman Khan’s golden run with films like Dabangg, Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Looking back, it’s clear that a combination of smart casting, timely risks, and faith in a remake done right turned Wanted into one of the most important films of modern Hindi cinema.
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