Karan Boolani has revealed why his debut directorial, Thank You For Coming, does not star his sister-in-law and actor Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. In an interview with Indian Express, Boolani shared why he did not consider casting Ahuja in the film.
The filmmaker said, “Sonam is someone I have worked a lot with, I have shot so many commercials with her and we are very close. But the script has to dictate the casting and what kind of actors we need to play these parts, Sonam is a fantastic actor, she is someone I feel who has opened up the rom-com genre in India.”
Elaborating on Ahuja's contribution to expanding the romantic comedy genre in India, Boolani recalled that when Aisha (2010), starring Ahuja, was made, the film received a lot of resistance. But today, people's reactions are different. “When we travel, I see so many girls approaching Rhea and saying how much they love the film and it is their favourite film. It has taken a decade… It is always the first one through the wall that hits the hardest. But it has worked,” the filmmaker added.
Thank You For Coming had a gala world premiere at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival. The film's cast includes Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Gill, Dolly Singh, Kusha Kapila, and Shibani Bedi, with a special appearance by Anil Kapoor. The film is directed by Boolani and produced by Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor. Thank You For Coming will be released in theatres worldwide on October 6.