హైదరాబాద్ జూ పార్క్ లో యానిమల్ కీపర్ పై సింహం దాడి | Hyderabad

Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 is currently enjoying a successful run in theatres. Following the massive success of the first installment, the sequel has managed to capture audience interest, especially in the North Indian market. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film sees Vaani Kapoor stepping into the female lead role, replacing Ileana D’Cruz, who featured in the first part.

Initially, there was buzz about whether Ileana would return for the sequel, with some fans hoping for her reappearance. However, after the release of Raid 2, that discussion faded—until now.

In a recent interaction, director Raj Kumar Gupta opened up about the decision to cast Vaani Kapoor instead of Ileana. He candidly stated that Ileana was not considered as she had shifted her focus toward her personal life.

“She got married, started a family, and had a child. Ileana had her priorities, and she moved out of India. We had a great time working together, and she will always be a part of the Raid world,” the director explained.

While Gupta’s remarks were intended to acknowledge her life choices respectfully, they didn’t sit well with some of Ileana’s fans. They felt the phrasing implied that her personal decisions hindered her professional relevance. Many fans were quick to defend Ileana, pointing out that she’s currently taking a voluntary break to enjoy motherhood—something they believe should be respected, not seen as a reason for exclusion.

On the flip side, industry insiders argue that it’s not realistic for a production team to wait indefinitely for any actor’s return, especially given the high-stakes nature of film timelines and budgets.

Ileana, once a leading lady in Telugu cinema, was the first heroine in the industry to command a ₹1 crore paycheck. She has acted alongside numerous top stars and enjoyed significant popularity before transitioning to Bollywood, where she also found success. Though her role in Raid wasn’t a full-fledged lead, her presence contributed to the film’s overall appeal.

In reality, the film industry often makes decisions based on availability and market dynamics. While there’s still a lingering stereotype that married actresses lose their commercial appeal, recent examples like Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone—all of whom have embraced motherhood without losing relevance—prove that the narrative is slowly evolving.

At the end of the day, Ileana’s absence from Raid 2 appears to be a practical decision rather than a controversial one. Still, the discourse it has sparked reflects how closely fans continue to follow and support their favorite stars—even when they step away from the spotlight.