How Pankaj Tripathi replaced Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Ranveer Singh's '83

Mumbai: Pankaj Tripathi has replaced Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the character of PR Man Singh — Indian cricket team’s manager during 1983 World Cup — in ’83.

For long, Nawaz’s name was being discussed for this character. But after Thackeray, Nawaz wasn’t keen on signing a real-life story that has too many other characters.

“It is evident that no one would want to play a part in a story like ’83 where Ranveer Singh is going to be the main guy. Also, Man Singh’s character is not a very big one in the context of the film. It is better that they get a good actor with a decent star appeal in that character,” says a trade expert.

Pankaj Tripathi, too, has been enjoying stardom after his characters in films like Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), Newton (2017) and Stree (2018) and web-series Mirzapur received appreciations from fans as well as critics.