Shraddha Kapoor was the original choice for Munjya’s Bittu, Alia Bhatt was also considered!

The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) is on a winning streak. Its latest release, Thamma, featuring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is creating waves at the box office. In just 14 days, the film’s worldwide gross collection reportedly has surpassed Rs 191 crore and is now eyeing the Rs 200 crore mark.

With Thamma’s massive success, attention has turned to the future of the MHCU - the franchise that began with Stree, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. While Thamma has put to rest rumours about Aneet Padda being finalized for Shakti Shalini, talks of Alia Bhatt joining the cinematic universe through Chamunda continue to buzz.

Related Story: Alia Bhatt in MHCU's Chamunda? Amar Kaushik reacts, 'When it happens…'

But here’s a little-known twist- Alia Bhatt was approached for Munjya, and Shraddha Kapoor was actually locked in to play Bittu!

A Different Beginning for Munjya

Munjya, the third installment in MHCU after Stree (2018) and Bhediya (2022), was helmed by Aditya Sarpotdar. The film became a breakout moment for newcomers Abhay Verma and Sharvari. However, few know that Abhay was never the first choice for the role of Bittu.

In a candid conversation with Moviefied, director Aditya Sarpotdar revealed that Munjya was originally conceived from a female perspective, with Shraddha Kapoor in mind for the lead role and Alia Bhatt also being approached.

The Original Script: A Lesbian Love Story

Aditya revealed, “Yogesh Chandekar jo writer hai, usne yeh film likhi thi with a female perspective. And uski jo protagonist thi, woh female protagonist thi, jo Bittu thi, jo ladki thi. Aur uski jo story thi, usme aisa tha ki Bittu yaani ladki, she's in love with her best girlfriend. She was a lesbian and nobody understands her and only Ajii understands her and she tells Ajii that 'I'm in love with my best friend aur koi samjhega hi nahi yeh cheez ko. And then Munjya comes into the picture and how she defends her best friend.’”

He further added, “Toh uss role ke liye, we had asked a couple of actors. Usme se ek Shraddha bhi thi, Alia bhi thi. Shraddha nearly done thi, Shraddha ka look test bhi hua tha and everything was kind of working in a direction ki yahi film banne waali hai. And then I came on board.”

At that stage, Shraddha Kapoor was almost finalized to play Bittu - a bold, emotional role quite different from her usual filmography.

Why the Story Took a New Turn?

Once Aditya joined the project, he chose to steer the story in a new direction. Explaining his decision, he said, “When I came on board, mujhe humesha lagta tha ki any story that you're trying to tell, uska core heart aur core narrative jo hai naa, woh ek hi hona chahiye, not multiple. Kyunki logo ko naa itni saari cheezein samajhti nahi hai. Woh ek focus rakh ke film dekhne aate hain aur unko wohi chahiye.”

He continued, “Toh mujhe laga yeh narrative naa mere liye yeh iss film ke liye work nahi ho raha tha. Mujhe laga, kya tha naa, ki dekho ek Munjya hai, jo bhi ek ladka hai, jo pagglait ladka hai, gadha hai, 10 saal ka hai. Par jisko akkal hi nahi hai ki pyaar kya hota hai. Aur woh ek aisi ladki ke pyaar mein hai jo usse 6 saal badi hai, jiske liye woh kuchh bhi karne ko tayyiar hai. Yaani woh itna cruel ban chuka hai naa ki woh maarne ke liye bhi tayyiar hai apni behen ko. Aur ek aisa ladka doosra hai jo Bittu hai, jo bohot pyaar se, bohot shiddat se pyaar karta hai, jisko pyaar samajh mein aata hai par woh aisi ladki se jo bhi usse badi hai. But his way of looking at love is to defend it and to give up his life for it. And this fellow's way of looking at love is to take life for it. Toh mujhe woh bohot sahi lag raha tha, baith raha tha meri samajh mein. So then I suggested can we do this? And the producer said let's do this. Toh woh poora perspective and poora game hi change ho gaya.”

Must Read: Ayushmann Khurrana welcomes Aneet Padda to MHCU: 'Can’t wait to see you shine in Shakti Shalini!'

This creative decision shifted Munjya’s emotional axis - transforming it from a queer love story to a tale of youthful obsession and sacrifice.