‘I Was Liked For The Role’: Dhurandhar 2 Fame Udaybir Sandhu On Missing Out On Chamkila To Diljit Dosanjh

Actor Udaybir Sandhu is currently receiving praise for his role as Pinda in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, but the actor has now opened up about a missed opportunity that once felt like a turning point in his career.

Auditioned for ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ Lead

In a recent interaction with Hindustan Times, Udaybir revealed that he had auditioned for the lead role in Amar Singh Chamkila, a part that eventually went to Diljit Dosanjh.

“I had auditioned for Chamkila’s part. I had done a lot of research and I was totally invested in it. I was the one who was liked for the part,” he said, reflecting on how deeply he had immersed himself in the role.

Why He Didn’t Get the Role

Despite being a strong contender, the role slipped away as director Imtiaz Ali had a specific

vision for the film.

“He always wanted a singer for it… they didn’t think a non-singer would be able to perform it,” Udaybir shared, explaining the reasoning behind the final casting decision.

‘I Could Have Played It Too’

While the outcome was disappointing, Udaybir maintains that he understands the choice and holds no bitterness.

“When I got to know that Diljit had been cast for the role instead of me, I understood the decision. He did a great job in the film, but I could have played it very well too because I was invested,” he added.

Setback That Opened Another Door

Interestingly, what seemed like a missed opportunity eventually worked in his favour. Udaybir revealed that his audition led to him being cast in another role in the same film.

“It was due to my audition for Amar Singh Chamkila that I later got the chance to play (late Punjabi singer) Shinda’s role in the film,” he said.

‘Struggle Is Important’

Looking back, the 27-year-old believes that such setbacks are essential in shaping an actor’s journey.

“If you get a chance early on, it’s almost like a fluke… you stop doing that kind of hard work. So you need that struggle, that hustle,” he said.

Career So Far

Udaybir made his Hindi film debut with Gold, starring Akshay Kumar. A former national-level hockey player from Punjab, he also contributed to training the cast for the sport.

Before Dhurandhar: The Revenge, he was seen in Ikk Kudi alongside Shehnaaz Gill, and has also worked as a model in India and South Africa.