For almost 15 years Sanjay Leela Bhansali has nurtured a dream—to make a film on Peshwa Bajirao and his ladylove Mastani. Finally, it seems the search for the lead pair is half over. Buzz is that Bhansali has got his Bajirao in his ‘Devdas’.
He had conceptualised the project with his ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ pair and then real-life sweethearts Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai in the lead. But, with the end of the love affair, Bhansali had no option but to put his dream project on hold.
The latest is that Shah Rukh Khan, who worked with Bhansali in ‘Devdas’ (2002), has been roped in for the role. According to a source close to the film, SRK has consented in principle to do the film.
The relationship between SRK and Bhansali was cordial till ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘Saawariya’ clashed at the box-office in 2007. A war of words ensued and things turned bitter. So much so, that the two stopped speaking to each other.
But one day, on the sets of Ram-Leela, SRK dropped by and while talking to Bhansali showed keen interest in playing Bajirao.
The first schedule of Bajirao Mastani is likely to kick off in July/ August. The film will roll with a humongous budget, which could probably be the highest in Bollywood till date. SRK’s company Red Chillies Entertainment might co-produce the film with Bhansali.
