Akshay kumar is in the lead (title) role of Khiladi 786 (Bahattar). Himesh Reshammiya is playing the role of a Gujrati Guy Mansukh in this movie, and Paresh Rawal is playing the role of Mansukh's father Champaklal. Earlier, [[Ileana D'Cruz]] was reported to have signed the film. Later, this was proven false after actressess [[Nargis Fakhri]] was signed for the film.<ref>{{cite web|author=TNN May 12, 2012, 12.00AM IST |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-12/news-interviews/31670145_1_nargis-fakhri-second-film-commercial-work |title=Nargis Fakhri takes a break - Times Of India |publisher=Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date=2012-05-12 |accessdate=2012-10-30}}</ref> Although, soon after the signing, Fakhri was dropped from the project as [[Amitabh Bachchan]] was earlier to be playing her older brother in the film, but due to Bachchan being replaced by [[Mithun Chakraborty]], the producers of the film felt she wouldn't fit the role of Chakraborty's sister.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/bollywood/Nargis-Fakhri-out-of-Khiladi-786/videoshow/13406803.cms |title=Nargis Fakhri out of 'Khiladi 786' - Video | The Times of India |language={{hi icon}} |publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-mithun-da-responsible-for-nargis-fakhris-ouster-from-khiladi-786-3309132.html |title=Mithun Da responsible for Nargis Fakhri's ouster from Khiladi 786? |publisher=daily.bhaskar.com |date=2012-05-23 |accessdate=2012-10-30}}</ref> It was later reported that either actress [[Ileana D'Cruz]] would rejoin the project, or [[Diana Penty]] will be replacing Fakhri in the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/may/260512-Who-will-play-Mithuns-sister-Ileana-D-Cruz-or-Diana-Penty.htm |title=Who will play Mithun's sister: Ileana D'Cruz or Diana Penty |publisher=Mid-day.com |date=2012-05-26 |accessdate=2012-10-30}}</ref> In June 2012, [[Asin]] was signed to play the leading lady of the film, putting all rumours to a stop.<ref name="a">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/asin-replaces-nargis/|title=Asinreplaces Nargis|publisher=Boxofficeindia|date=2 June 2011|accessdate=2 June 2011}}</ref>
