Mahhi Vij Reveals Why Her ‘Yuva’ Role Went To Kareena Kapoor

MUMBAI-Television actress Mahhi Vij has recalled how filmmaker Mani Ratnam selected her for the role of Meera in ‘Yuva’, which Kareena Kapoor eventually played opposite Vivek Oberoi, saying the opportunity fell through after her equation with someone involved in the project turned sour.

During a conversation with fellow ‘Bigg Boss 20’ contestant Kanika Mann, Vij spoke about her early days in the entertainment industry and the Bollywood opportunity that could have marked her debut.

Vij said she moved to Mumbai and got her first music-video opportunity with the popular remix of “Tu Tu Hai Wahi”, in which she appeared in a pink outfit.

“I went to Bombay and got a music video as soon as I arrived. It was the one where I wore the pink dress, ‘Tu Tu Hai Wahi’. That was my first music video,” she recalled.

“After that, I did a lot of music videos in my career, and all of them were hits,” Vij said.

She later moved into films, working in South Indian cinema, including projects with actor-director Prabhu Deva and Malayalam actor Mammootty.

“Then I did music videos, followed by South Indian films with Prabhu Deva. Then I did a film with Mammootty. From there, I was finalised for Yuva. Mani Ratnam selected me for Yuva,” she said.

Vij said she had been selected for the role of Meera, the character eventually played by Kareena Kapoor in the 2004 film opposite Vivek Oberoi. The film was directed by Ratnam and also starred Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Esha Deol, with music by A.R. Rahman.

Vij said the opportunity ultimately slipped away after her equation with someone involved in the project turned sour.

“For the role that Kareena played, opposite Vivek Oberoi. But some equations with someone had gone a little sour there so it did not materialise,” she added.

After returning to Delhi, Vij said she discussed two or three other films, but those projects were also cancelled at the last minute.

“After that, I returned to Delhi. Two or three films were discussed, but they were cancelled at the last minute. So I said, ‘I will do television,’” she recalled.

Her decision eventually led to a successful television career. Vij became widely known for her role as Nakusha in ‘Laagi Tujhse Lagan’ and later played Nandini in ‘Balika Vadhu’.

She also participated in reality shows including ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’, ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ and ‘Nach Baliye 5’, which she won with actor Jay Bhanushali. (IANS)