Raghav Juyal has had quite the journey. From being the “King of Slow Motion” on television to playing a terrifying villain in Kill, he has worked hard to shed his dancer image and be taken seriously as an actor . But even after earning critical acclaim, he recently revealed a harsh reality of the film industry: being replaced because a hero didn’t want to work with him .
In an exclusive interview with News18, Raghav opened up about a time before Kill when he lost a major film role. He was all set to begin shooting, but then the calls stopped. It was a rejection that hurt deeply, but one that he now looks back on with a sense of relief .
The Role That Got Away
Raghav recalls the incident vividly. He had been selected for a big studio film and was ready to start shooting. “And then suddenly, the calls stopped coming from them,” he told News18. “They then told me that they’re looking for a big face” .
He later discovered the real reason. The hero of the film had told the makers not to cast him. “I later got to know that the hero of the film told the makers to not cast me in it. Mujhe bahot dukh hua tha tab,” he shared .
Raghav tried to make light of the situation, joking that he would “eat and drink to make my face big” since it was too small at the time. But the rejection stung. It’s a reminder that in Bollywood, talent isn’t always the only factor, and an actor’s presence can sometimes be a threat to the established hierarchy .
‘Thank God That Film Never Got Made’
While the experience was painful, Raghav now sees it as a blessing in disguise. In hindsight, he’s grateful the deal fell through because that particular film never ended up being made.
“But everything that happened to me after that incident turned out to be really good. I was like, thank god, I didn’t do that film. And interestingly, that film never got made. Kaafi bade studio ki film thi. It was supposed to go on floors many a times but it never did,” he said .
This twist of fate allowed him to focus on projects that eventually defined his career, like Kill and the web series Gyaarah Gyaarah. It proved that sometimes, a closed door is just redirecting you to the right path.
The Turning Point: Kill and the “750 Scripts”
Raghav‘s career trajectory changed dramatically after Kill. His performance as the ruthless villain Fani earned him widespread recognition and opened up a floodgate of opportunities . He revealed that after the film’s success, he received around 750 scripts where he was offered the solo lead role .
He chose Bhai Tera Star Hai as his first film as a protagonist and is also working on Ikaai and other projects. More importantly, he made a conscious decision to stop playing the “hero’s best friend.” He announced this at an award show, and interestingly, those offers stopped coming .
“After The Ba***ds Of Bollywood, I had already said no to those roles at an award show. And since I did that, no one got me those parts,” he remarked .
Staying True to His Word
Raghav’s journey is a testament to self-belief. He left television at his peak, giving up a comfortable life and a steady paycheck to pursue his dream of acting in films . He even had to downgrade his lifestyle because films and OTT don’t pay as well as television did initially .
But his persistence has paid off. The actor, who is now 33, is unapologetic about his ambitions. “Main jo bolta hoon, woh hota hai. I wouldn’t call it manifestation but kaam karne ki power,” he said . He believes he will become a superstar. “I can already feel that within me. Woh baad mein bahar reflect hoga. And it’s not my delusion that’s talking,” he added .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Did Raghav Juyal replace Vikrant Massey in the Ramayana film?
No. Reports that Raghav Juyal replaced Vikrant Massey in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana were clarified by Massey himself. Massey stated on social media that he was never a part of the film, so there was no question of replacement . The rumors started after reports suggested Juyal would play Meghnad, a role previously linked to Massey by some media outlets.
2. What was the film that Raghav Juyal was removed from?
Raghav Juyal has not revealed the name of the film or the hero involved. In his interview, he mentioned it was a big studio film that was “supposed to go on floors many a times but it never did” . He chose to keep the details confidential, focusing instead on the lesson learned.
3. How did Raghav Juyal transition from television to films?
Raghav Juyal left television at the peak of his career, giving up his identity as a dancer and host. He admits this was financially difficult, as OTT and films didn’t pay as well as TV. He went through a period of unlearning his TV persona and focused on auditions, eventually landing roles in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan and Kill .
4. Why did Raghav Juyal stop playing the hero’s best friend?
After achieving success with Kill, Raghav Juyal publicly announced that he no longer wanted to play the hero’s best friend. He stated this at an award show, and since then, those offers stopped coming. He shifted his focus to lead roles, receiving hundreds of scripts as a solo protagonist .
5. What are Raghav Juyal’s upcoming projects?
Raghav Juyal is set to star as a solo protagonist in Bhai Tera Star Hai. He has also signed on for other projects like Ikaai. After Kill, he received around 750 scripts for lead roles and is carefully choosing his next steps .
The Takeaway
Raghav Juyal’s story is a powerful reminder that rejection is often just a redirection. He turned a painful experience of being removed from a film into fuel for his ambition. Today, he stands as an example of what happens when talent meets resilience, and when an outsider refuses to give up. His message is simple: have faith in your work, be prepared to start over, and never let a “no” from someone else define your worth.
