'Bajirao Mastani': Not Deepika-Ranveer but Salman-Aishwarya were the first choice
Bajirao Mastani completes four years of this prolific film. Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to cast Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai in the film, read here to know.
Today, December 18, 2019, marks four years of one of the biggest blockbuster hit film, Bajirao Mastani. The epic romantic drama was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starred Deepika's then-boyfriend Ranveer Singh as Peshwa Bajirao, opposite her. It also starred Priyanka Chopra as Kashi Bai, Bajirao's first wife. The film narrates the wind whirling romance between Peshwa Bajirao, a heroic general of the Maratha Empire, and a warrior princess Mastani. Bajirao who was previously married to his childhood friend Kashi Bai, had to face a lot of opposition from his conservative family for marrying the love of his life, Mastani.
Aishwarya and Salman first choice?
Little did you know that the film was first announced in the year 2003. Sanjay Leela Bhansali initially wanted to cast Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with Bhoomika Chawla playing Kashibai as lead actors in the film. But things did not go as planned for the director as the real-life couple shared a controversial past. Sanjay Leela Bhansali then considered and kept Khan on the list and approached Kareena Kapoor to play Mastani and Rani Mukerji to play the role of Kashibai. However, he then shelved his plans and moved on to other projects after Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor both signed another project back then - Kyon Ki...
In a talk show, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had stated that he wanted to be the first to re-unite Salman and Aishwarya as they were last seen in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Because of their history, the duo never paired opposite each other post the film. Also, several major actors were rumoured to be roped in for the project including Ajay Devgn, Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif until Sanjay Leela Bhansali finally decided on his lead pair from his hit film Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.
Published By : Brandon Fernandes
Published On: 18 December 2019 at 15:52 IST