Hamza Ali Abbasi recalls refusing Varun Dhawan's 'Judwaa 2' because of 'certain scenes'

'The Legend of Maula Jatt' star recalled being approached by the film’s producer Sajid Nadiadwala back in 2015

Actor Hamza Ali Abbasi, who is currently riding high on the success of his Punjabi blockbuster, The Legend of Maula Jatt, which has garnered over 100 crores globally, recently revealed the reasons for rejecting Indian film Judwaa 2 that was offered to him in 2015.

The actor recalled refusing the Varun Dhawan-starrer for a bunch of reasons while appearing as a guest with his Legend of Maula Jatt co-star Gohar Rasheed, who also plays his onscreen brother, on The Current’s online chat show. Hamza and Gohar took a co-star compatibility quiz to see who knows who better.

Upon being asked about an Indian film Hamza rejected in 2015, Gohar answered after much deliberation and hint-dropping, “Judwaa!”. Hamza was then probed into explaining why he refused the action-comedy, that also starred Tapsee Pannu and Jacqueline Fernandez.

The Pyarey Afzal star recalled being approached by the film’s producer Sajid Nadiadwala, and shared that he did not take up the offer because of the turbulent relationship between India and Pakistan, as well the film’s content. “I have no idea, maybe because India and Pakistan have been at arm's length and there were certain scenes in that film that I wasn’t comfortable with.”

The actor did not specify the scenes or the role he was being approached for.

During the compatibility quiz for the promotions of the Bilal Lashari directorial, Hamza also shared that while his most famous onscreen pairing remains to be with Ayeza Khan in Pyare Afzal, he likes all his co-stars equally. But feels that his best creative collaboration has been with Ayesha Uqbah Malik (previously, Ayesha Khan).

“I like all of my co-stars. I’ve never gotten into a fight with anyone and have always maintained cordial relationships with all of them. I think my best creative collaboration was with Ayesha, because I’m good friends with her too. She was with me in Mann Mayal and Jawani Phir Nahi Ani.”

Hamza also looked back at the one insecurity he had before venturing into acting. “I had a very girly voice as a kid,” he shared. “If I’d answer the phone, the person calling would mistake me for a girl. Then I was operated for tonsils and I also grew up, so my voice eventually changed. But that was my complex,” he admitted.

Back in 2015, the Mann Mayal actor had also revealed rejecting Akshay Kumar’s political thriller Baby due to its anti-Pakistan content. Pakistani actor, Mikaal Zulfiqar, later played the role. “I was offered this Indian film Baby last year and I immediately said no to it seeing a slight anti-Pakistan element in its storyline. I am in favour of our artistes working in Indian films, but if any film has even a slight anti-Pakistan theme, please think like a Pakistani first and then an artiste,” he had shared on his Facebook back in the day.

In 2016, Hamza had also called on Pakistani actors to boycott Bollywood – a boycott that continues till this day. In another Facebook post he had said, “Indian government is threatening to cut off Pakistan's water supply and now two Pakistani soldiers have been martyred on LOC while Indian Army continues to shed blood in Kashmir. The time has come when Pakistani artists must boycott Bollywood and Pakistani people must stop watching Indian content.”

During the same time, Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan had come under fire for starring in the then, upcoming Bollywood films, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees.

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