Before Allu Arjun, These Two Heroes Were Considered for Arya

In a grand event held in Hyderabad today, the cast and crew of the classic love story “Arya” gathered to commemorate its 20th anniversary. Directed by Sukumar and produced by Dil Raju, “Arya,” starring Allu Arjun and Anu Mehta, remains a landmark film in Tollywood’s romantic genre.

During the event, Dil Raju shared an intriguing anecdote about the film’s casting process. He revealed, “Initially, we approached Ravi Teja Garu with the script, who showed interest. However, due to scheduling conflicts, we then approached Prabhas. Unfortunately, Prabhas was occupied with other commitments. It was during a special screening of ‘Dil’ at Prasad Labs that Allu Arjun unexpectedly arrived. Seeing his presence and persona, I knew he was the perfect fit for Arya’s character.”

Sukumar added, “Upon Dil Raju Garu’s suggestion, I narrated the story to Prabhas, but we both had doubts about his suitability for the role. However, when I witnessed Allu Arjun’s energy and enthusiasm during the screening of ‘Dil,’ I was convinced he was the ideal choice. Despite hearing numerous scripts before, Bunny found solace in ‘Arya’ after listening to just the first half.”

Reflecting on the film’s journey, Dil Raju expressed gratitude to Allu Arvind Garu for his valuable input, which shaped the script. However, he acknowledged Sukumar’s initial disappointment and frustration due to multiple script revisions. Despite the challenges, the collaborative efforts of the team ensured the success of “Arya,” a film that wouldn’t have been possible without their dedication and perseverance.