In a recent turn of events, Salman Khan’s iconic character, Chulbul Pandey from the Dabangg series, was set to make a much-anticipated cameo in Singham Again. However, reports indicate that this cameo has been shelved following the untimely passing of Baba Siddique.
Rohit Shetty, the director of Singham Again, had initially planned to film Salman’s cameo last week. Multiple sources suggested that the presence of Chulbul Pandey would have added an exciting twist to the cop universe, but respect for the grieving process led to a change of plans.
The shooting was scheduled to take place at Golden Tobacco in Mumbai. However, after Baba Siddique was tragically murdered on October 12, Rohit Shetty felt it would be inappropriate to bring Salman in for filming, considering the circumstances. “It would be insensitive to call a mourning Salman to film for the scene,” a source revealed.
With a tight deadline for submitting the film to the Censor Board by October 18, the team had to make the difficult decision to move forward without Salman’s appearance. The insider added, “Rohit and Ajay discussed internally and felt it was best to respect Salman’s privacy during this time.”
Despite the cameo being axed, there’s still a glimmer of hope for fans. Reports suggest that a back shot of Salman in uniform might be included in a post-credits scene, ensuring that his character could still have a presence in the film.
Baba Siddique’s death, which reportedly involved threats directed at Salman Khan from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, has cast a shadow over the industry. In a display of solidarity, Salman rushed to the hospital to support Siddique’s family and participated in the funeral rituals. On a recent episode of Bigg Boss 18, he openly expressed his emotional turmoil, stating he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to film due to the events unfolding around him.
As for Singham Again, fans can expect a thrilling ride this Diwali. Ajay Devgn takes the lead as the titular character, with Kareena Kapoor starring as his wife. The film promises to be action-packed, featuring Arjun Kapoor as the antagonist who sets off a dramatic rescue mission involving a star-studded cast, including Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Tiger Shroff, and Akshay Kumar.
While it’s disappointing that Chulbul Pandey won’t be making an appearance, the decision to prioritize compassion and respect in the wake of tragedy is commendable. Let’s hope the film delivers an unforgettable experience, even without Salman’s beloved character.