Swara Bhaskar’s Bold Pitch to Land a Role in Sultan — and How the Blockbuster Left Her on the Mat

While Sultan soared past ₹300 crore, actress Swara Bhaskar reveals how she personally approached Aditya Chopra to play the female lead—only to be turned down.

When Sultan released on July 6, 2016, it arrived at a time when Salman Khan’s box-office streak seemed unstoppable. Produced by Yash Raj Films under Aditya Chopra and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film starred Salman alongside Anushka Sharma, with Randeep Hooda and Amit Sadh in pivotal roles. The sports drama opened to huge numbers, collecting around ₹36.5 crore on its first day and eventually crossing ₹600 crore worldwide—making it one of the biggest hits of that year and a defining film in both Salman and Anushka’s careers.

Nearly a decade later, Sultan continues to spark behind-the-scenes stories. In a recent interview, Swara Bhaskar revealed that she once approached Aditya Chopra directly for a role in the film. “I said, ‘Sir, I think you should cast me; I’d make a very good wrestler.’ He replied, ‘No, I don’t think so, Swara.’ I said, ‘Okay, theek hai,’” she recalled. Swara explained that as an outsider without family connections in the film industry, she often had to create her own opportunities. “If we maintain too much formality and restraint, we won’t get work. I didn’t have anyone who could call and recommend me. Whatever I’ve achieved, I’ve earned by fighting for it.”

The actress also shared that she has never been ashamed to ask for roles. “I think that’s completely fine. I may not enjoy doing it, but I do, because I believe one shouldn’t hesitate to ask for work,” she said. Swara added that since becoming pregnant, she has stepped back from reaching out for new roles but still believes in being upfront about wanting to work with filmmakers she admires.

Interestingly, Salman Khan once revealed that the makers were initially in talks with Mrunal Thakur for the same role before things fell through. Anushka Sharma was eventually cast, and her portrayal of Aarfa, a fierce wrestler balancing ambition and love, earned widespread praise.

Even though Swara didn’t make it into Sultan, her story highlights a larger truth about Bollywood — persistence often matters as much as talent. And for many outsiders, courage to ask is the first step to being noticed.