19 years after 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', Sanjay Leela Bhansali to reunite with Salman Khan for a love story

"I am dying to do a film with him. But the onus is on him and it all depends on him now," Sanjay Leela Bhansali had said in a 2015 interview post reports of his fallout with Salman Khan. The fact that SLB went ahead to make 'Devdas' with Shah Rukh Khan and not him remained the bone of contention between the two for quite long. 

However, 19 years after 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' (1999), SLB is now set to reunite with his favourite muse for a love story. With the film, Bhansali intends to present a different side to the actor, breaking free from his action image.

Confirming the news, Prerna Singh, CEO of Bhansali Productions, said, “Yes, Salman Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are reuniting after 19 years for a love story. Their collaboration is the best thing that can happen in terms of story-telling.”

The yet-untitled film will go on floors in the second half of the year sometime around September, right after Salman finishes shooting for 'Dabangg 3'. It would be jointly produced by Bhansali and Salman. The director will also score the music himself.

A source close to the development revealed to Mumbai Mirror, “Both of them have been looking to team up on a film for a while now. Everything has finally fallen into place. He had discussed the idea with Salman before the release of his last directorial, 'Padmaavat'. Salman is equally excited to collborate with him." 

It must be recalled that last year at the launch of his popular television reality show 'Bigg Boss 12', Salman had confirmed doing an SLB film. He said, “Yes, I am doing Sanjay’s film.” He had also jokingly added, “I don’t know much about it. Have only heard a one-liner about it. But Sanjay is not answering my calls. Please ask him to speak to me.”

Mumbai Mirror reports that the basic script of the film is now locked and that Bhansali is currently working on the screenplay. The subject of the film is something that's very close to Sanjay's heart. It belongs in a space which has apparently not been 'explored till date'. 

After 'Padmaavat', rumours were rife that SLB's next will also be a period film. Denying the reports, the Mumbai Mirror's source clarified, "Sanjay has been working on three scripts simultaneously and was in talks with several big actors. He has finally decided to go ahead with this one which will be spearheaded by Salman."

"The other members of the cast will be signed soon. The female lead will be an A-lister and they are looking at a 2020 release," the source further added. 

Last year, Times of India had reported that Sanjay's next with Salman might be titled 'Inshallah'. The filmmaker was also said to have got the title registered with the producer's association. 

The romantic flick would be Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 10th directorial. The director-actor duo has earlier worked together in 'Khamoshi:The Musical' and 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'. Salman also had an extended cameo in Bhansali's 2017 film, 'Saawariya'.