Arshad Warsi is widely celebrated for his impeccable comic timing in films like Munna Bhai, Dhamaal, and Golmaal. Twelve years ago, when he played the lead in Jolly LLB, he brought both humor and heart to the courtroom comedy. However, few know that Warsi wasn’t the first choice for the film.

Shreyas Talpade Was the Original Pick

The makers of Jolly LLB initially approached Shreyas Talpade, known for his strong acting skills and popular comedic roles in films such as Apna Sapna Money Money, Kaun Praveen Tambe, and Emergency.

In a recent interview, Talpade revealed, “I remember meeting director Subhash Kapoor, and he told me a story. At the time, I was busy with other projects, so things didn’t move forward.”

The Film’s Success

Jolly LLB went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of 2013, earning ₹19.45 crore in its opening weekend. The cast included Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Amrita Rao, and Saurabh Shukla, and Warsi’s performance was so well-received that he returned as the lead in Jolly LLB 3, sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar.

Shreyas’s Reflection

Talpade further shared that after the film’s release, he called the director to congratulate him: “I said to him, ‘Sir, what a film, a lovely film, I loved it, great work.’ And he laughed and said, ‘Don’t you remember, I came to you with this film?’”

Though he missed the opportunity, Talpade remains appreciative of the film’s success and its enduring popularity.