Okay today I’m attempting to cast characters of the Harry Potter series in Bollywood. This is something I always thought of doing but somehow backed out because it’s HARRY FU*KING POTTER! The series is too close to my heart, and any mistake will break my heart. Thankfully, I had this awesome Quora thread which really helped in visualizing the desi Potter cast. Check it out!
Amitabh Bachchan – Albus Dumbledore
It was a tough battle between Amitabh Bachchan and Naseeruddin Shah TBH, but at the end of the day, Dumbledore is all about charisma. The most powerful wizard of all times deserves the baritone of Mr Amitabh Bachchan. After all, he’s the only one can who can bring the Great Hall to complete silence.
Kay Kay Menon – Severus Snape
Severus Snape is one of the most intriguing characters in the Harry Potter universe, plus look how similar he and Kay Kay Menon look!
Sanjay Dutt – Lord Voldemort
I’ll be honest, I really can’t picture anyone in particular playing Lord Voldemort, I guess it can be Sanjay Dutt because it’s easy to picture him bald. But he’ll have to work A LOT on his acting skills if he wants to be as terrifying as He Who Must Not Be Named!
Ratna Pathak Shah – Minerva McGonagall
Have you seen Sarabhai v Sarabhai? Ratna Pathak Shah is Minerva McGonagall.
Rishi Kapoor – Professor Slughorn
Jovial, lazy but extremely talented, Professor Slughorn was a difficult character to like, he was the one who gave Tom Riddle all the information he needed to create horcruxes at the end of the day, but he means well. I really think Rishi Kapoor will be able to play this annoying yet sympathetic part rather well.
Okay now before I get to the trio, please know that it was VERY difficult for me to think of Indian actors pull of these roles. On top of that, I really couldn’t picture any actor in their teens doing what Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint could do. Hence in this dream cast, we’ve put the young superstars of today!
Shahid Kapoor or Ranbir Kapoor – Harry Potter
Shahid and Ranbir have all that it takes to be the boy who lived. They come from a legacy, they tend to internalize their feelings I’m sure they’ll do a great job in the scenes where Harry is feeling rather angst ridden. But I really can’t pick between the two. You tell me!
Kangana Ranaut – Hermione Granger
Firstly – bushy hair, secondly – an outcast and thirdly – nerves of steel. Can Kangana pull of a Hermione? Of course she can!
Ranveer Singh – Ron Weasley
Before you kill me, hear me out. Ron is often just considered a side-kick or a shadow of the famous Harry Potter. No one sees the sarcasm, the badassery (he was willing to sacrifice himself during wizard chess in the first year itself!) and the big heart Ronald Weasley has. He has that X-Factor Harry lacks and I really believe Ranveer will do a great job in adding more layers to this boy. After all, Weasley IS our king!
Alia Bhatt – Ginny Weasley
Shy at first, Ginny Weasley comes of her own only in the 5th year of Hogwarts. After getting over Harry (not entirely), she dates other men, ups her Quidditch game and learns how to cast a magnificent patronus. She’s sporty, sexy and smart, no wonder Harry falls head over heels in love with her. And who better to play this awesome role than Alia Bhatt? Plus Alia has great chemistry with Shahid and I’m sure she’ll look good with Ranbir.
Tahir Raj Bhasin – Draco Malfoy
Mardaani‘s bad guy has all the components a bully needs. And because he’s a good actor he can totally pull off the conflicted emotions Draco had during his time as a death eater.
Hrithik Roshan – Sirius Black
Handsome, loyal and a little bit of a brat, there’s no one but Hrithik Roshan who can play Harry’s loving and reckless godfather.
Rekha – Bellatrix Lestrange
I mean look at the hair! Rekha will be a nice Bellatrix, she has that fire you know.
Supriya Pathak – Molly Weasely
Kind, caring and motherly, Supriya Pathak will be a brilliant Molly. The best part is that Supriya can also channel her inner Dhanko Baa (her character in Ram-Leela) and completely own Molly’s most iconic line –
Arthur Weasley – Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher is is Arthur Weasley! Who else would be interested in the workings of a rubber duck?
This is my dream casting, what do you think?