Back in August last year, buzz emerged that the makers had signed on Abhay Verma to headline ‘Choomantar’ following his success in ‘Munjya’. The sci-fi rom-com was initially set to feature Ananya Panday as his co-star, but she reportedly dropped out over scheduling clashes. In her place, Sreeleela and Janki Bodiwala were said to have come on board alongside Abhay.

Abhay Verma calls the reports mere speculation

Directed by Tarun Dudeja, the film was reportedly slated to begin shooting in January this year. However, speaking to News18, Abhay clarifies that these reports are purely speculative and that he has no association with any project titled Choomantar. “It’s apparently not happening. There was a lot of follow-up news after the first rumour came about. It was quite surprising!” he said.“I read articles on how the shoot is starting and how the cast members are changing. While all of that was happening, I was quietly sitting and thinking of the real projects that I’m involved in (laughs). Un films ke itne follow-up news nahi aa rahe the jitna iss rumoured film ka aa raha tha,” adds Abhay.

Abhay Verma hopes the project happens someday

However, Abhay is genuinely excited by the concept behind the rumoured project and hopes someone eventually brings it to life. “It made me wish for this film to happen! I’m keeping my fingers crossed. But for now, nothing is happening,” Abhay says. Meanwhile, Operation Safed Sagar marks his second release since Munjya, which went on to become a sleeper hit.Notably, Abhay is one of only three actors, alongside Jimmy Sheirgill and Siddharth, to be given a solo credit in the series. Speaking about this recognition, he says, “To have my name next to them is a bit overwhelming. It’s a motivator. It’s like a little bit of fuel that one needs. Having said that, I never looked at the credit slate through a lens of vanity. I never thought about it. I came here with the passion and dream to act. I’m getting to do it and that’s bigger than anything else. There are a thousand of actors auditioning in Aram Nagar, which I refer to as my Mecca. Only a few gets chosen. Opportunity means everything to me. I live for that and I can die for it. If there’s one thing I can sell, I want to sell dreams,” he further adds.

Abhay Verma rejects the ‘golden boy’ tag

Asked if the back-to-back success of ‘Munjya’ and ‘Operation Safed Sagar’ has earned him the “golden boy” tag, he pushes back on the idea. “I certainly don’t believe that I’m the golden boy. I call the audience my baap. Whatever I’m today is because of them. A lot of my doing is for them. My journey starts and ends with them. My smile is their amaanat,” he shares. On the overwhelming response to ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, Abhay tells, “Every second or third reel that I’m seeing on social media is of the show. We feel so fortunate that the show is getting the love that it deserves. It’s beyond us and our performances. It has become like this unanimous emotion that binds the strength of our forces together.”

Abhay Verma’s next release with Shah Rukh Khan

On the work front, Abhay Verma will appear alongside Shah Rukh Khan in ‘King’. Slated to hit theatres this Christmas, the film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, and Rani Mukerji.