Filmmaker Hansal Mehta recalled that the producer refused to fund 'Shahid' if Rajkummar Rao was going to star in it. "[He] said, 'I'm not putting money in for Rajkummar'," Mehta shared. "[Shahid's script] was sent to [many] stars...either the star didn't want to work with me, or...wanted to change...the narrative completely. I [refused]...said, 'Either it's this or...nothing'," Mehta added.