Deepika did well in the grace part and looked stunning but her performance was totally flat, she was so wooden in the film. It was like watching a Robot/ I think she was focussing so much on trying to be this graceful/ dignified princess that no attention was paid to the acting part. And the part was very poorly written...one dimensional and very sketchy. Easily SLB's worst written female character.
Always felt this from the start but after ADHM I am 100% sure that Ash would have been the best fit by far. Despite the underwritten, limited part in ADHM she made a stunning mark, she was sensational as Saba. So I think she would have salvaged this even though poorly written part of Mastani. Plus, she is an exceptional dancer.. would have killed it and done better.
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