Exclusive: Ayushmann Khurrana replaces Sidharth Malhotra in an upcoming quirky comedy

Ayushmann Khurrana replaces Sidharth Malhotra in his next.

Sidharth Malhotra’s latest release Ittefaq alongside Sonakshi Sinha is experiencing a lukewarm response at the box office. Even previously, his films like Baar Baar Dekho and A Gentleman have failed to woo the masses to the theaters. And looks like, the industry is losing faith in the Student of The Year actor already.

The latest buzz is that a renowned production house has replaced Sidharth Malhotra as the main lead of a quirky comedy. The film has now landed in the lap of Ayushmann Khurrana, who has been witnessing an overwhelming run at the box office with his recent ventures like Bareilly ki Barfi and Shubh Mangal Savdhan.

This comes as all the more of a shock as the film was about to go on floors but owing to the dry run of Sidharth Malhotra at the box office, the makers had some last-minute change of plans and replaced the lead.

An industry source said, “Sidharth Malhotra’s disastrous run at the box office with Baar Baar Dekho and A Gentleman had put the makers of the film in doubt of his capability to attract audiences. The underwhelming opening and weekend run of Ittefaq was the final nail in the coffin and the team decided to replace Sidharth with Ayushmann Khurrana.”

The source also adds, “Over time Ayushmann has acquired an audience base in the genre of comedy and is currently considered a more bankable star than Sidharth by film producers.”

The soon-to-be-announced comedy is being bankrolled by the same production house who delivered a sleeper hit earlier this year with Ayushmann. They are also producing a popular Bollywood actress’ next based on a novel.

Having already narrated the script of the film to Sidharth, it was only a matter of signing the papers now. But looks like, the makers backed out fearing the project will be hampered by Sidharth’s sinking appeal amidst the masses.