Your Privacy is Important to us

We encourage you to review our Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms listed here. In case you want to opt out, please click "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link in the footer of this page.

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

We won't sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.

Continue on TOI App
Open App
Login for better experience!
Login Now
Welcome! to timesofindia.com
TOI INDTOI USTOI GCC
TOI+
  • Home
  • Live
  • TOI Games
  • Top Headlines
  • India
  • City News
  • Photos
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Entertainment
  • Movie Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Podcasts
  • Elections
  • Web Series
  • Sports
  • TV
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Events
  • World
  • Music
  • Astrology
  • Videos
  • Tech
  • Auto
  • Education
  • Log Out
Follow Us On
Open App
  • ETIMES
  • CINEMA
  • VIDEOS
  • TV
  • LIFESTYLE
  • VISUAL STORIES
  • MUSIC
  • TRAVEL
  • FOOD
  • TRENDING
  • EVENTS
  • THEATRE
  • PHOTOS
  • MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MOVIE LISTINGS
  • HEALTH
  • RELATIONSHIP
  • WEB SERIES
  • BOX OFFICE

Did you know Pragya Jaiswal was not the first choice for 'Akhanda'?

etimes.in | Last updated on - Dec 7, 2021, 13:01 IST
Comments
Share
1/6

Here is the list of actors who were approached by the makers of 'Akhanda'

Do you know that Pragya Jaiswal was not the first choice of makers for 'Akhanda'? She plays the role of an IAS office Saranya Bachupally in the film. The audience loved Pragya as Saranya and her sizzling chemistry with Balayya in 'Akhanda.' But the truth is that the part was not originally created for her. According to the reports, the makers of 'Akhanda' approached five actors before Pragya Jaiswal bagged the role. Here is the list of actors who were approached by the makers of 'Akhanda.'


Samantha Ruth Prabhu starts shooting for her next pan-India film titled 'Yashoda'


Pic courtesy: Twitter

2/6

Kajal Aggarwal

Kajal Aggarwal was the first actor who was offered the role of Saranya Bachupally. Due to unknown reasons, she rejected the offer. Kajal is currently enjoying marital bliss. She is constantly sharing happy and blissful photos of herself on her social media accounts. It was only recently that the couple celebrated one year of their marriage. She has already wrapped up the shooting of 'Acharya,' co-starring Chiranjeevi. Directed by Koratala Siva, the film will release on February 4, 2022.


5 times Kriti Kharbanda gave us major fashion goals with her outfits


Pic courtesy: Twitter

3/6

Rakul Preet Singh

The makers then thought of bagging Rakul Preet Singh, best known for her roles in films such as 'Venkatadri Express,' 'Sarrainodu,' 'Nannaku Prematho,' 'Loukyam' and 'Konda Polam.' As per the reports, things did not work out as the makers didn’t find her personality in allegiance with the role. She has also given a screen test for the role. Rakul Preet Singh will be next seen in Telugu and Tamil bilingual film 'October 31st Ladies Night.'


Ram Charan opens up about working with SS Rajamouli in 'RRR': Any actor on the set gets to learn a lot from him


Pic courtesy: Twitter

4/6

Paayal Rajput

Makers also approached Paayal Rajput but she turned down the offer for another role was offered to her at the same time. She opted for 'Kirathaka' and is all set to make her Kollywood debut with the upcoming film 'Iruvar Ullam.' Paayal made headlines for sharing her glamorous photos on social media off late. The actress scorched our screens with her oomph. Undoubtedly, she looks mesmerising in all the photos and videos that she uploaded on Instagram.


'Vakeel Saab' to 'Akhanda,' top 5 highest opening day grossing films of 2021


Pic courtesy: Twitter

5/6

Catherine Tresa

Catherine Tresa was then approached for the role of Saranya but she declined the offer due to her upcoming projects. Catherine made her Tollywood debut opposite Varun Sandesh in the 2013 film 'Chammak Challo.' She shot to fame with the Allu Arjun starrer 'Iddarammayilatho,' which was released in the same year. She will be next seen in Sree Vishnu’s 'Bhala Thandanana,' Nandamuri Kalyanram’s 'Bimbisara' and Nithiin’s 'Macherla Niyojakavargam.'


#BehindTheCamera! Director Jayashankarr: Grabbing a film opportunity for a commoner like me is a good achievement


Pic courtesy: Twitter

6/6

Anjali

According to an entertainment portal's report, Anjali was then approached to play the leading lady opposite Balayya in 'Akhanda.' A source close to the development told the portal that Anjali couldn't sign the film due to her prior commitments. Anjali was last seen in 'Vakeel Saab,' co-starring Pawan Kalyan. She has a trilingual film, a women-oriented film 'Anandha Bhairavi' in her kitty.


Year-ender: 'Vakeel Saab' to 'Krack,' top 5 highest-grossing Telugu films of 2021


Pic courtesy: Twitter

Start a Conversation

Post comment
Featured In Entertainment
  • Salim Kumar passes away at 56; Celebs share tributes
  • Did Janhvi Kapoor oppose to her camera angles in Peddi? Leaked chats claim so
  • Amid backlash over Janhvi's objectification in Peddi, Ratna Pathak's old video resurfaces
  • Sushmita's net worth is estimated at Rs 100 crore: Inside her home, car collection
  • Vedang Raina reveals he studied business but was interested in Science: EXCLUSIVE
  • Taapsee on ageism: People don't want an actress over 30 in a romcom
  • Vikram Bhatt says he almost died as he recalls jail experience: 'I have an autoimmune condition'
  • Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna's Miami performance on Taal goes viral: VIDEO
  • Sanjay needed a shock to get over his drug addiction, said Rajiv Rai after removing him from Yudh
Photostories
  • Gopika Gopi to Aneesh: Here's a look at the commoner contestants of Bigg Boss Malayalam
  • 5 silent signs your body may be missing key nutrients, according to a neurologist
  • Why you should ‘marry for money’, according to a top divorce lawyer
  • Princess Diana’s most iconic fashion moments: 5 designers behind her legendary style
  • 12 must-follow emergency rules for modern apartments and gated real estate communities
  • 5 effective money habits that protect you from going broke
  • How to respond to difficult people without getting triggered: 10 practical ways
  • From Kedarnath to Kamakhya: 5 iconic hill temples in India to visit at least once in lifetime
  • Inside Sunil Grover’s stunning two-storey dream home: A massive living room, artistic interiors and more
Explore more Stories
  • 7
    Rags to Riches stories of Hollywood: Dwayne ‘The Rock' Johnson to Robert Downey Jr.
  • 6
    Brad Pitt to Tom Holland: Hollywood actors who spoke about addiction and sobriety
  • 6
    Deepika Padukone, Kajol, Alia Bhatt: Bollywood actresses who worked during their pregnancy
  • 5
    'Peddi', 'Parimala And Co' to 'Varavu': Most awaited South films releasing this week
  • 5
    Hollywood's ugliest custody battles: From Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna
Up Next
  • ETimes
  • /
  • Entertainment
  • /
  • Telugu
  • /
  • Movies
  • /
  • Did you know Pragya Jaiswal was not the first choice for 'Akhanda'?
About UsTerms Of UsePrivacy PolicyCookie Policy

Copyright © Jun 7, 2026, 05.43AM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service