Sonakshi Sinha, not Bhumi Pednekar, was first choice for Toilet: Ek Prem Katha

Sonakshi Sinha was once said to be Akshay Kumar’s lucky charm, but it seems the friendship has changed with time. A few days ago, it was reported that Akshay Kumar wants a new heroine for Namastey England, leading to question marks over Sinha’s future in the film.

It now appears that Sinha missed out on another project with Akshay Kumar. The buzz is that Sinha was the first choice for Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, but she refused the project. The role then went to Bhumi Pednekar.

"It’s true that Sonakshi Sinha was first choice for the role of Jaya. However, she had chosen another project,” said a source close to the project.

The project Sinha chose was Sunhil Sippy’s Noor (2017), where she played a journalist. Unfortunately, that film was a dud at the box office.

"One doesn’t know what went behind the casting. The production house would be best placed to answer that question. Bhumi Pednekar is a fabulous actress, but Sonakshi Sinha is a powerful actress too," said the source.

Efforts to contact Sinha did not succeed.

Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is based on prime minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Movement). The film is set to be released on 11 August.

Also read: Writers Siddharth-Garima: Reach of Toilet: Ek Prem Katha is more important than the box office