Salaar actor Naveen Shankar almost missed out on being a part of the Prabhas-led film

Kannada actor Naveen Shankar is one of the few from Sandalwood, who got drafted into the cast of filmmaker Prashant Neel’s Salaar universe. Naveen was seen as Pandit, a brutal assassin for hire, whose role was minimal in the first part, Ceasefire, but is likely to be explored further in the next, Shouryanga Parvam. Interestingly enough, Naveen was not kicked about the role when it first came to him and declined the offer.

Also read:

Nodidavaru Enantare’s Naveen Shankar: 'Satisfied with my journey so far; realize I do need a big break' 

Naveen Shankar on being part of Salaar after rejecting it first

Speaking to Kairam Vaashi during the promotions of his last, Nodidavarau Enantare, Naveen said that it was during the release of Hondisi Bareyiri that Naveen was approached for a role in Salaar: Ceasefire. At the time, he was working on Gurudev Hoysala, in which he was the antagonist’s right-hand man – the one who’d rain fire on any opponents. Naveen figured that if he were to play antagonist again, it’d have to be drastically different, and, hence, excused himself.

Much later, during the post-production of Kshetrapathi, for which Ravi Basrur was the composer, Naveen ran into Prashant at the music man’s studio. He explained himself to the filmmaker as to why he chose to decline the role, to which Prashant said that he perfectly understands an artistes right to say no and of being under no obligation. The conversation around Salaar ended soon after and Prashant then spoke to Naveen about his debut Gultoo and Hoysala.

Also read: Nodidavaru Enanthare movie review: Naveen Shankar's great, but film is just about passable 

A few days later, Naveen got yet another call and this time from Prashant himself, asking the actor to come for a discussion for another character. While the filmmaker said that he would respect Naveen’s decision if he were not on board this time either, but added that he thinks the character would be a good fit for the actor. The fact that Prashant was going out of his way to convince Naveen, was the clincher, as the actor figured that the filmmaker did not have to do that. It was also a reflection of the respect that Prashant has for his actors, which, Naveen later experienced on the set as well.