Exclusive | 'Aashiqui 3' Makers Stand By Triptii Dimri As She Faces 'Outrageous' Smear Campaign, Anurag Basu Says Script Didn't Demand 'Purity'

Between January 7 and 8,  the Google alerts on actor Triptii Dimri went from a news break of her exiting a film, to a smear campaign questioning her film choices, her apparent non-existent box-office pull, and — the lowest of all — her character.

Industry insiders, who were watching this unfold in real-time, were shocked to see how a well-drafted press release against the actor did the rounds in the name of the "makers" of Aashiqui 3 —starring Kartik Aaryan, produced by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series, and directed by Anurag Basu— claiming they ousted her from the film as she lacked "purity in demeanour," leading everyone to wonder who was behind the smear campaign.

The Strange Press Release

After headlining two critically-acclaimed streaming darlings Bulbbul (2020) and Qala (2022), Dimri became a household name (or a national crush, as Instagram calls it) with Sandeep Reddy Vanga's blockbuster Animal (2023). Playing a small but pivotal role alongside Ranbir Kapoor, Dimri shot to overnight fame. It was a bold choice, but Dimri had nothing to lose. Suddenly, she was flooded with offers, including the role of the leading lady in Aashiqui 3.

Though the makers never officially announced her name as part of the cast — like they did for Kartik Aaryan with the title announcement — Dimri was on board Aashiqui 3 and reiterated the same during her media interactions.

However, things took a turn last week.

A MidDay report on January 7 claimed that Dimri was no longer part of Aashiqui 3, and that the film was indefinitely postponed. Basu and Aaryan were set to team up again for another love story, but there was no word on what would happen to Dimri, who had already shot for Aashiqui 3 a few days last year.

By the evening of January 7, media insiders started feeling that something was amiss, as a narrative was being planned to counter the news of Dimri's "exit" with a "reason for her ouster".

Then, the infamous press release showed up: "Here's why Triptii Dimri lost Aashiqui 3; Makers want an innocent and pure face as the classic script demands."

The Hollywood Reporter India has accessed a screen-grab of the statement that was issued against the actor and verified the same with multiple media insiders. The statement claims that Dimri was dropped from the film as she lacked the "purity in demeanour" to be part of the film; it was reported by a few media publications and soon made its way to Instagram portals as well.

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The full statement read, "The fundamental requirement to be the heroine of Aashiqui 3 is innocence reflecting through, and as observed by the team behind the film, Triptii Dimri with her recent films has become too exposed to be cast in this romantic film which demands purity in demeanour from the female lead. Aashiqui is a legendary, soulful love story and the makers do not see Tripti fitting the parameters. After Animal, there has been no buzz around her. More so, her solo standing at the box office hasn't proven profitable with her recent films."

Anurag Basu Calls The Slander 'Absurd'

When THR India reached out to Aashiqui 3 director Anurag Basu for a comment, the filmmaker noted how questioning Dimri's "purity" was "outrageous" and how the script of the romantic drama didn't even have such a requirement.

"I was baffled by these reports as well. Questioning her lack of 'purity in demeanour' is absolutely absurd and outrageous. Besides, the script didn’t demand such a thing at all. Actors portray characters, and I am the last person to be influenced by the roles someone has played in other films," Basu shared with THR India.

THR India also reached out to Bhushan Kumar's production house T-Series, but there has been no response yet. However, well-placed sources within the production house denied their involvement in the slander against Dimri, with whom they have already worked in Animal, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video (2024), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024); they are also set to collaborate with her in the forthcoming Animal Park.

"There is no point bringing her down like this when she has been the face of so many of our films. Animal, which was used to attack her, was our film to begin with. We are proud of what she has done, and we shall continue to champion her," a well-informed source said.

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Several industry insiders THR India spoke to voiced their concern regarding the targeting of a female star with an anonymous hit job, which they feel directly threatens the safe-set environment that Hindi filmmakers are working towards.

"The statement reeks of vengeance and malice, and is deliberate in its attempt to paint a female actor, who chose to do a certain role, in an ugly light. In the larger scheme of things, this threatens to damage the intent of others, who are constantly striving to make not just the set but also pre and post-production environments feel safe," a top industry source shared with THR India.

The Future

According to sources, the stakeholders involved in Aashiqui 3, will now move on to other respective projects, and there is uncertainty on whether Dimri might join the other Basu-Aryan romantic drama.

"The way the casting of Aashiqui 3 fell apart and the slander that followed was uncalled for," an insider in the know of things shared.

"It does set a dangerous precedent, but most of the time, the industry knows who is orchestrating it. It is common to plan negative blinds about someone to dent their image. It works as long as you are on top of the game calling the shots, but it takes no time here to be on the other side of the same blinds," the insider concluded.