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Newcomer Shreya Dhanwanthary cast opposite Emraan Hashmi in Cheat India

Model-turned-actress Shreya Dhanwanthary has been locked to play the female lead in Emraan Hashmi’s forthcoming film, Cheat India. The movie, which attempts to reveal several loopholes in Indian education system, went on floors in Lucknow recently.

The makers reveal that they auditioned over 50 girls before finalizing Shreya for the part. “We auditioned as many as 50 girls before zeroing down on Shreya. She is completely natural and confident and effortless in front of the camera. We were also looking for someone with inherent simplicity and charm, and she ticked all the boxes on our wish-list.”


Before turning her focus on acting, Shreya appeared in scores of television commercials for various popular Indian and international brands. She has also done a couple of successful web-shows.

The newcomer is excited to have bagged Cheat India as her first film. “I earned my Engineering degree but I’m not blind to the crimes that infest our education system. I am delighted to have this as my first feature. Its subject is topical, compelling and engaging: one that students and parents alike will relate to. I am looking forward to working with Soumik (Sen), Emraan (Hashmi) and the producers, T-Series, Ellipsis Entertainment and EHF. I am in great hands!”

Cheat India is a joint venture of T-Series, Ellipsis Entertainment and Emraan Hashmi Films. It is scheduled for its theatrical release next year on 25th January.

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Praised for visuals, but some criticised Western-style asura designs for not fully reflecting Hindu roots

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Yash says Ravana in Ramayana must connect with Western viewers as film eyes global audience

Highlights

  • Yash says he humanised Ravana to help global audiences relate to the character.
  • Asura designs in the first glimpse drew criticism for looking too Western-inspired.
  • Producer Namit Malhotra compares the film's tone to Lord of the Rings and Gladiator.
Yash, who plays the demon king Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, says his portrayal was shaped by one clear goal: making the character relatable beyond Indian audiences.
Speaking at CinemaCon in Las Vegas this week, where the film was presented alongside major Hollywood releases, the actor said he worked to strip away the purely mythological reading of the role.

"I have tried to internalise the whole essence of Ravana and tried to make him as human as possible at times," Yash told Reuters.

"It is important for people to relate to him, and since we have global ambitions, we need to make it familiar to a Western audience as well."

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