Finding a husband for Deepika

Finding a husband for Deepika!

The character of her husband in Padmavati, Rawal Ratan Singh, is yet to be cast

Upala KBR

It is always difficult to find an A-List actor to do a role in a female-centric film. While most actors would sign a film with Deepika Padukone, they are hesitant to do so when it comes to playing second fiddle to her. While she is playing the title role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next, no actor has been finalised yet for the role of her husband Raja Rawal Ratan Singh.

Padmavati, based on the life of the Rani of Chittor in Rajasthan, is all about the queen and Sultan Alauddin Khilji's (Ranveer Singh) obsession with her. The trouble is, that although the character of Padmavati's husband Rawal Ratan Singh is an important one, he is perceived as a weak character as he is always outsmarted by the Sultan. So, no top actor is willing to take it up. Says a source, "Since Ranveer is playing the Sultan, the role of Rawal Singh also has to be of his takkar. Otherwise, the story won't work." Sanjay starts shooting for the historical this September. According to an insider, "The first schedule is with Deepika and her husband's character. The scenes between Deepika and Ranveer are being shot separately as they never meet in the film. Initially, a TV actor was to be signed, but Deepika put her foot down. A random actor from television won't do for her. While she has no scenes with Ranveer, she shares some intense romantic and lovemaking scenes with her husband, so she wants a big star as her hero."

According to the source, "Bhansali is in a fix as it's tough to get the dates of any hero at such a short notice. So, the big question remains " who will play Raja Rawal Ratan Singh?"