The ace filmmaker decided to cast Rana in the role after watching his performance as DJ Jaki in 'DMD'. Abhishek Bachchan was to portray the character but he dropped out of the RGV project because of date issues.

"I found Rana to have a fantastic screen presence and after seeing him in DMD I felt that if he is cast in the right role his performance can be greatly highlighted. His role in Department needs a combination of screen presence and intensity which I think Rana has in abundance," Varma said.

Rana will play the role of a cop in the movie, which also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Kangna Ranaut and Sanjay Dutt.

Varma is confident that Rana will add intensity to his role.