11 November,2025 09:59 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Huma Qureshi and Ajith in Valimai
Before she became one of Hindi cinema's most versatile performers, Huma Qureshi was set to make her Tamil debut opposite Tamil superstar Ajith in Billa 2. The actor, in a candid chat on mid-day's Sit With Hitlist, revealed that she had been finalized for the film, had completed her look test, and had even travelled to the set, only to be suddenly replaced without explanation. She recalled how Ajith reacted when they met 10 years later on the sets of the film Valimai.
"I was cast for Billa 2, and actually, very few people know this," Huma began. "It was like a Don 2 situation with Billa being Don, and Billa 2 being its sequel with Ajith sir. I did the whole look test, signed the contract, and even flew down to shoot for a day. And then, for some reason, I got replaced. I don't know what happened," she recalled.
While the incident left her disappointed at the time, Huma says she never held any bitterness. What surprised her most was what happened years later when fate brought them together again for Valimai, nearly a decade after Billa 2.
"In Valimai, I finally got to work with Ajith sir," she said. "He's such a gracious, lovely gentleman. I was actually rehearsing in my head how to introduce myself to him. But before I could say anything, he walked up to me and said, âI'm so sorry for what happened. I had nothing to do with it.'"
Huma said she was taken aback by his humility and memory. "I told him, âI didn't even expect you to remember - it was so long ago.' And he said, âNo, but I had no idea it had happened that way.' I just smiled and said, âMaybe we weren't meant to work together then, but we are now.'"
Reflecting on the experience, Huma said that the exchange reaffirmed her respect for Ajith. "What a lovely guy to actually remember and have the graciousness to do that. He didn't need to, but I think that's what makes him a superstar."
