# Bollywood Flashback: Salman Khan's Bold Pick for *Wanted*'s Leading Lady Revealed! **Imagine Salman Khan handpicking Katrina Kaif for his blockbuster *Wanted*—but it didn't happen.** Boney Kapoor just spilled the beans on how the superstar pushed for his then-leading lady, only for the team to pivot to Ayesha Takia after considering names like Genelia D'Souza.[1][2] Dive into the behind-the-scenes drama of *Wanted* (2009), the action thriller that marked Salman Khan's roaring comeback as the ruthless yet romantic Radhe. Directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Boney Kapoor, this Hindi remake of the Telugu hit *Pokiri* smashed box office records and revived Salman's career. But the casting for the female lead, Jhanvi—a middle-class girl torn between love and Radhe's dangerous world—was a rollercoaster.[1][2][3] According to Boney Kapoor, **Salman specifically suggested Katrina Kaif**, with whom he shared sizzling chemistry in films like *Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?*. However, Kapoor had reservations: Jhanvi starts ambivalent about her feelings for Radhe, so he wanted a fresh pairing to heighten the tension. The team "toyed with several names, including Genelia D'Souza," before settling on newcomer **Ayesha Takia**, whose innocent charm perfectly fit the role.[2] This decision paid off big time. *Wanted* grossed over ₹80 crore, earned award nominations for Best Film and Best Actor, and became a cultural phenomenon with iconic dialogues and high-octane action.[1][4] Boney even reminisced about other near-misses, like wanting Salman for *Ghajini*, proving their long-standing collaboration magic.[2] Ayesha Takia's bar-dancing scene and chemistry with Salman turned her into an overnight sensation, while Katrina's absence sparked "what if" debates among fans for years.
What do you think—would *Wanted* have been even bigger with Katrina Kaif? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, share this post with fellow Bollywood buffs, and let's keep the *Wanted* nostalgia alive! 🚀Citations
1.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-rJdCGoj9Y
2.https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/i-wanted-to-make-ghajini-with-salman/20251218.htm
3.https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/wanted-3/
4.https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1084972/awards/
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