Mahesh Babu rejected Pushpa has he has the stature of doing the CM Characters. Sukumar first took Pushpa’s script to Mahesh Babu. But the handsome hero turned down the film, saying the aggressive protagonist character doesn’t suit him.
Mahesh was sceptical about the characterisation and the makeover as well. He did not sign the project. Sukumar waited for the nod of Mahesh and tried his level best to convince him. Sukumar was desperate to give a hit to Mahesh.
Mythri moviemakers planned to rope in Samantha for the female lead role in the film. But for some undisclosed reasons, she did not come on board. The makers then signed Rashmika Mandanna. Samantha later went on to do a special item song in the film.
Sukumar approached Bollywood beauty Disha Patani for the Oo Antava item song. The actress was interested at first but she didn’t do it later, as she felt this isn’t the right way to set foot in South Indian cinema.
When Disha turned down the offer to feature in the item song, the makers were quick to react and they approached Nora Fatehi. The actress quoted a whopping remuneration and the makers opted not to sign her for financial reasons.
The makers of Pushpa even announced that Vijay Sethupathi will play the antagonist in the film. But that did not happen as Pushpa’s shoot got delayed for a long period of time and Vijay had to opt out, given the logistical equations. Gosh was lucky to get the role. Sunil was the surprise package for the movie.
