Aakanksha Singh bags lead role in Phailwan

Sudeep-starrer Phailwan, directed by S Krishna, is ready to roll from May 17. And the director has gone out of his way to ensure that he has a right cast in place.

While he has chosen Kabir Duhan Singh to play the primary antagonist, the makers had attempted to arouse curiosity about the female lead. We hear that after much thought, Krishna has zeroed-in on Aakanksha Singh, who will be making her debut in Kannada with the film.  

Aakanksha is paired opposite Sudeep, who plays a boxer and wrestler. She will have two different shades in the film, and will join the sets this week in Bengaluru.

According to our sources , Krishna was very particular about who he would cast as the heroine. "There are numerous criteria and finally Aakanksha fit the bill.  She is a fine actor, and has a south Indian look, which makes her the right one to pull off this role that requires her to play to contrasting shades."

A Mumbai-based actor, Aakanksha is a popular face on television. She has acted in series such as Na Bole Tum Na Maine Kuch Kaha 1 & 2 and Gulmohar Grand. She has also made her appearance in Bollywood with Badrinath Ki Dulhania and in the Telugu industry with Malli Raava. Akanksha has also signed another Telugu project that features Nani, Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna.

Meanwhile, it’s a big break for the newbie who will be associating with an established star right at the outset of her career. When they start shooting later this week, more details about the film and characters are expected to be revealed. 

Phailwan will be shot in Bengaluru, Chennai and North Karnataka. The film has music by Arjun Janya and cinematography by Karunakar.