After Ram Leela, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is now set to revisit his dream project Bajirao Mastani. He has been trying to make this film for years now but it never went on the floor because the director was never fully satisfied with the lead pairing. This time around he seems to be convinced of finding his Bajirao and Mastani in Ajay Devgn and Deepika Padukone.
Bajirao Mastani is based on the epic love story of the renowned Maratha general and his half-Muslim second wife Mastani. The film is very close to Bhansali’s heart and is a story he has been waiting to tell.
Originally, he had planned the film with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. He has tried to revive the project a few times but it didn’t work out. Now he believes is the right time to start the film.
An insider says that currently the filmmaker is travelling to scout locales for his magnum opus and will take a call after he returns. As of now he feels that the Ajay-Deepika are most suited for his film as they not only make a fresh pair but also Ajay fits the part of the Maratha general perfectly.
SLB has worked with both Ajay and Deepika. He is convinced they are the best choice for his next. This will also be the first time Ajay and Dips will be seen together on the big screen.
About Bajirao & Mastani
Mastani was the daughter of the Hindu Maharaja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand and a Muslim mother. She was a dancer in the court of the Nizam. When Bajirao and Mastani met, the much-married and father of two sons fell in love with her. He married her despite great opposition from his family. They had a son, Krishnarao, but locals refused to accept the boy as a pure Hindu Brahmin since his mother was a Muslim.
They refused to accept the marriage. His marriage with Mastani led to a major crisis within the royal Peshwa family and Bajirao’s brother Chimnaji Appa and mother, Radhabai, never accepted Mastani as one of their own. Later Bajirao built the Mastani Mahal for her. Story goes that when Bajirao died in battle, a grief-stricken Mastani committed suicide.
Ranveer is option no. 2
This time around, SLB has two choices for Bajirao. He believes that Ranveer Singh will also suit the part. If things don’t work out with Devgn, in regards to dates, then he will approach Ranveer. The Ram Leela pair essaying another epic love story together on screen? It’s a win-win.
