Jr NTR and director V.V. Vinayak created a major impact with Aadi, a film that became an important milestone in the actor’s early career. Released in 2002, the movie went on to become a blockbuster and helped strengthen NTR’s image as a mass-action star.
But there is an interesting piece of casting trivia surrounding the film.
In a recent interview, V.V. Vinayak revisited the making of Aadi and spoke about how the team finalised its cast. According to the filmmaker, Aarthi Agarwal was initially their preferred choice for the heroine’s role opposite Jr NTR.
Why Was Aarthi Agarwal Considered?
At the time, Aarthi Agarwal was one of the popular actresses in Telugu cinema. Vinayak recalled seeing the posters of her film Pagalpaan and feeling that she would be a suitable choice for Aadi.
However, the actress had already committed to another project with Venkatesh. Because of that existing commitment, the makers could not bring her on board for Aadi.
The team then continued searching for the right actress. Vinayak said they also approached Charmy during their search in Mumbai. Eventually, following producer Nallamalapu Bujji’s suggestion, Keerthi Chawla was selected as the female lead.
A Film That Was Completed in Just 50 Days
Vinayak also recalled that Aadi was completed in around 50 days. The film reportedly enjoyed a long theatrical run of about 175 days after its release.
Its action sequences, memorable dialogues and Jr NTR’s energetic performance helped the film connect strongly with mass audiences.
What If Aarthi Agarwal Had Played the Lead?
The revelation naturally raises an interesting question among fans: what might Aadi have looked like if Aarthi Agarwal had played the heroine instead of Keerthi Chawla?
While that casting possibility never materialised because of her prior commitments, Keerthi Chawla eventually became an integral part of the film’s identity. Aadi went on to remain a significant chapter in Jr NTR’s journey as a leading star.
