Dulquer wasn't the first choice for 'Lucky Baskhar'; here's why the original actor stepped away

South Indian cinema is breaking linguistic barriers, attracting fans nationwide as actors cross industry lines to take on lead roles. Among the most successful in this trend is Dulquer Salmaan, whose latest Telugu film, ‘Lucky Baskhar,’ has achieved commercial success, significantly boosting the Malayalam actor's popularity in the Telugu market.

However, according to Telugu media reports, Dulquer was not the original choice for the lead. Director Venky Atluri initially approached Telugu actor Nani for the role, but Nani declined, citing concerns about being typecast as a father figure—a role he has played in films like ‘Jersey’ and ‘Hi Nanna.’ Following Nani’s decision, the role was offered to Dulquer.

Some Telugu fans on social media have expressed concerns over Atluri’s casting of non-Telugu actors in high-profile roles. Prior to ‘Lucky Baskhar,’ Atluri’s previous film, ‘Vaathi,’ starred Tamil actor Dhanush. Reports suggest Atluri initially considered Telugu star Naga Chaitanya for that role, though he declined after reviewing the script.

With the success of ‘Lucky Baskhar,’ Dulquer’s popularity is on the rise, reportedly leading to an increase in his acting fees. Telugu media sources suggest Dulquer has signed three additional Telugu films, including one that may feature him alongside Rana Daggubati, although official confirmation is pending.