SRK as Sultan?

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali met the actor on Sunday, and they are in talks for a period film

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's last two films were period films, both featuring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. And speculation is rife that he will repeat them in his next, tentatively titled Padmavati. There were reports that the director was wooing Shah Rukh Khan for a film. In the last few months there has been a buzz that SRK and Ranveer will do a film for SLB.

Padmavati has two protagonists " Raja Ratansen and Sultan Allaudin Khilji, so it's natural to assume that this film will star Singh and Khan. However, an insider reveals, "SLB is working on two scripts. One will feature SRK, and one Ranveer. They will not be part of the same film."

Says an trade analyst, "While Padmavati is being pitched as an anti-hero film, it is all about Padmavati, a heroine-centric film. It won't interest SRK. SLB met Khan on Sunday and the two are in talks for a role. But it's most likely for another film. Shah Rukh has played an anti-hero many times before. From Bazigaar to Don to Fan. Why would he act in a film that belongs to the leading lady? Also, he has two films to start. Imtiaz Ali's next as well as Aanand L Rai's dwarf film. SLB has already announced the release date of Padmavati for next year, which means the shooting should start this year. SRK simply doesn't have the dates for it."

A source adds, "It's more likely that Ranveer will do the role. For him, playing the anti hero is something new and exciting. Besides, he'd happily do a heroine-centric film if Deepika is playing the queen. And he has not signed any film apart from Befikre, so he has the dates."