Sushant Singh Rajput had already started preparing for the role and lost two films in favor of Paani, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela (2013) and Fitoor (2016).
The film has been planned since 2006.
There was a shelved movie, Tirupati Pictures Combine's "Paani" (1976), starring Jeetendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, written by Salim-Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar), music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, produced by Prasan Kapoor, directed by Dulal Guha.