Following military tensions between Pakistan and India in 2016, various Pakistani artists were banned from working in India. There was similar pressure applied on the makers of Raees to replace Pakistani actress, Mahira Khan. The film's producer, Farhan Akhtar refused to do so and the female lead remained the same.
Rumored to be inspired by the life of Gujarat based gangster, Abdul Latif.
After Farhan Akhtar opted out of the film, he approached Fardeen Khan to sign the film. Fardeen declined the role as he said he was taking a break from acting and would only return in a home production. That is when Nawazuddin was signed.
The spectacles Shahrukh wears throughout the movie are his actual ones which he uses for reading.
With this film, Nawazuddin Siddique finally worked with all three major Khans of Bollywood.