Malayalam star Dulquer Salmaan has proven himself to be exceptionally smart when it comes to choosing films. Whether it’s Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, or Malayalam, he only picks projects with strong scripts—regardless of the language or the scale.
He doesn’t hesitate to work with new directors if the script excites him, and equally, he has no qualms about rejecting proposals from top filmmakers if he doesn’t connect with the material. This clarity in judgment is now earning him widespread praise.
For instance, Dulquer reportedly turned down director Shankar’s offer to act in “Indian 2” alongside Kamal Haasan. The role eventually went to Siddharth. As we all know, the film turned out to be a colossal flop and received criticism from all quarters. That was the first instance where Dulquer’s decision proved to be wise.
Another example is “Thug Life.” Dulquer was originally announced as part of Mani Ratnam’s ambitious project, and a poster featuring him was even released. However, after thoroughly understanding the scope of his role, Dulquer chose to walk away from the film. Instead, he shifted his focus to the Telugu film “Lucky Baskhar.”
“Thug Life” was released in theaters today and received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Critics have called it one of Mani Ratnam’s weakest films. The role intended for Dulquer was eventually played by Simbu. But now, with both “Indian 2” and “Thug Life” flopping, fans and critics alike are calling Dulquer Salmaan the real ‘Lucky’ Baskhar for his sharp choices and timely exits.
