Director Anand L. Rai confirms Tanu Weds Manu 3; these two actresses were initially signed for iconic ‘Tanu’ role

Nine years after the release of Tanu Weds Manu Returns, filmmaker Anand L. Rai has officially announced a third installment of the beloved franchise.

The upcoming film will continue the story of Tanuja Trivedi and Manoj Sharma, and will also bring back the fan-favorite character Datto, introduced in the second film.

The success of the franchise has been largely attributed to the standout performances of Kangana Ranaut and R. Madhavan. Despite their iconic roles, it has been revealed that Kangana was not the original choice for the role of Tanu.

Before Kangana Ranaut secured the role, actress Neetu Chandra was initially cast. In a 2021 interview, Neetu disclosed that she had been signed for the part but was replaced after Madhavan recommended Kangana. “I’m talking about Madhavan. He said, ‘There was another actress who was signed for Tanu Weds Manu, but I recommended Kangana’s name’. That actress was me,” Neetu revealed.

In addition to Neetu, actress Chitrangada Singh was also considered for the role. However, she opted out of the project due to a break from acting. Chitrangada has since expressed regret over her decision. Ultimately, Kangana’s performance in the 2011 original and its 2015 sequel has solidified her association with the role, and she is expected to reprise her character in the new film.

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Meanwhile, Rai has stressed that although he had not initially planned for the series to become a franchise, the compelling characters have warranted a third film. In an interview with News18, Rai explained, “Tanu Weds Manu is a kind of franchise that demands a part three. The characters are so beautiful, and they were played so beautifully by Madhavan and Kangana. They became a little bigger than the story itself.”

He added that the introduction of Datto in Tanu Weds Manu Returns has further fueled the demand for a continuation. “With Tanu Weds Manu Returns, we introduced a new character, Datto. These characters are all asking for a third part. The minute we have a great story—the story that Tanu, Manu, and Datto deserve—we’ll go for it.”