Randeep Hooda has revealed that he turned down the role of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 2025 historical film Chhaava, citing concerns over the growing “Hindu-Muslim narrative” surrounding politically sensitive projects. The actor said he chose not to take on another controversial role at a time when he was already dealing with legal and public scrutiny linked to his film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. The role eventually went to Akshaye Khanna, whose performance in the film later received widespread appreciation.

Speaking in a recent interview, Hooda said filmmaker Laxman Utekar had initially approached him for the role of Aurangzeb. However, the actor explained that he had just completed shooting for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar and was physically exhausted, underweight, and dealing with post-production responsibilities along with an intellectual property-related court case. Hooda added that the atmosphere surrounding historical and politically themed films had become increasingly sensitive, prompting him to avoid another project that could trigger similar debates.

Released in 2025, Chhaava went on to become one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year and generated significant discussion for its portrayal of historical events and characters. Akshaye Khanna’s performance as Aurangzeb was particularly praised by critics and audiences, with many describing it as one of the standout performances in the film. The movie further strengthened the trend of large-scale historical dramas in Bollywood, which continue to attract both commercial success and political debate.

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Hooda’s remarks have once again highlighted the challenges actors and filmmakers face while working on historical or politically charged subjects in India’s entertainment industry. Over the past few years, several films dealing with religion, nationalism, and historical figures have sparked controversies, legal disputes, and social media campaigns. The actor’s decision to avoid the role reflects the growing caution among industry professionals when choosing projects that may become part of wider ideological or political discussions.

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