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Bhansali approaches Bachchans for Bajirao Mastani
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has approached the Bachchans – Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya for his next, Bajirao Mastani. He had originally planned the historical to be his next release post Hum Dil Chuke Sanam (1999) but the project has been delayed for lack of an apt lead pair. After going through varied options he has zeroed in on the newly married star couple.
"Aishwarya was always Bhansali's first choice for the courtesan's role and he had dreamt of making the film with Salman opposite her playing the 18th century Peshwa king and Rani Mukheree his wife, Kashibai," a source close to Bhansali informs, "Both Salman - Ash were a pair off screen then. But following their break up, the bearded director decided to maintain close pal Salman and started looking around for Mastani's part. Name of top model, Shivani Kapoor too was discussed then. He then settled upon on Kareena Kapoor and even gave interviews about his choice claiming she possessed the pathos of Meena Kumari and the fire of Nargis and that she had a completely different aura of attitude, personality, beauty and femininity. But after everything was confirmed he decided to postpone the project and make Devdas with Shah Rukh Khan instead. Post Devdas, when everyone was expecting the pending project to take off, Bhansali surprised everyone again by announcing his songless Black with Big B and Rani Mukherjee, keeping his historical aside, yet again." the source says.
"During the making of Saawariya, when Bhansali was toying with the idea of making a much bigger canvas film than his Rs 80 crore budgeted flick launching star kids – Ranbir and Sonam Kapoor - he decided to work again on his long in the waiting project keeping Salman in mind for the lead part. As he was hunting for a new actress, reports were out that he was being cajoled by the controversial Khan to take in his girlfriend Katrina to play Mastani. But Bhansali was not interested in going ahead with this pairing. The Devdas maker then started re-designing the project deciding that King Khan will play his hero with his Om Shanti Om heroine, Deepika Padukone opposite him. Everything was almost finalised, but Om Shanti Om's release date proved to be the spoke in the wheel." our source reveals.
"SRK's home production was announced releasing on the same date (November 9th) as his much awaited Saawariya during coming Diwali. Bhansali sent many feelers to the reigning superstar and even personally met him, requesting him to reschedule his film's release date. But, with no favourable response from the King Khan, a miffed Bhansali decided to drop the idea of making his period film with SRK and the model turned actress. Now he has approached the Bachchans. Apart from the lead pair's part, he has offered another important role in the film that of Bajirao's uncle, Raghoba dada to Amitabh Bachchan," the source adds.
"The nod hasn't come in from the Bachchans yet, but is most likely to come in soon. For the actress playing Bajirao's wife, Bhansali has decided to hunt for other options instead of maintaining his first choice, Rani. He is also likely to replace Rekha whom he had considered for the Peshwa king's mother, Radha bai once Big B comes in," concludes our source.
We tried getting in touch with the Bhansali but met with no response while his production house officials preferred to remain tight lipped.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has approached the Bachchans – Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya for his next, Bajirao Mastani. He had originally planned the historical to be his next release post Hum Dil Chuke Sanam (1999) but the project has been delayed for lack of an apt lead pair. After going through varied options he has zeroed in on the newly married star couple.
"Aishwarya was always Bhansali's first choice for the courtesan's role and he had dreamt of making the film with Salman opposite her playing the 18th century Peshwa king and Rani Mukheree his wife, Kashibai," a source close to Bhansali informs, "Both Salman - Ash were a pair off screen then. But following their break up, the bearded director decided to maintain close pal Salman and started looking around for Mastani's part. Name of top model, Shivani Kapoor too was discussed then. He then settled upon on Kareena Kapoor and even gave interviews about his choice claiming she possessed the pathos of Meena Kumari and the fire of Nargis and that she had a completely different aura of attitude, personality, beauty and femininity. But after everything was confirmed he decided to postpone the project and make Devdas with Shah Rukh Khan instead. Post Devdas, when everyone was expecting the pending project to take off, Bhansali surprised everyone again by announcing his songless Black with Big B and Rani Mukherjee, keeping his historical aside, yet again." the source says.
"During the making of Saawariya, when Bhansali was toying with the idea of making a much bigger canvas film than his Rs 80 crore budgeted flick launching star kids – Ranbir and Sonam Kapoor - he decided to work again on his long in the waiting project keeping Salman in mind for the lead part. As he was hunting for a new actress, reports were out that he was being cajoled by the controversial Khan to take in his girlfriend Katrina to play Mastani. But Bhansali was not interested in going ahead with this pairing. The Devdas maker then started re-designing the project deciding that King Khan will play his hero with his Om Shanti Om heroine, Deepika Padukone opposite him. Everything was almost finalised, but Om Shanti Om's release date proved to be the spoke in the wheel." our source reveals.
"SRK's home production was announced releasing on the same date (November 9th) as his much awaited Saawariya during coming Diwali. Bhansali sent many feelers to the reigning superstar and even personally met him, requesting him to reschedule his film's release date. But, with no favourable response from the King Khan, a miffed Bhansali decided to drop the idea of making his period film with SRK and the model turned actress. Now he has approached the Bachchans. Apart from the lead pair's part, he has offered another important role in the film that of Bajirao's uncle, Raghoba dada to Amitabh Bachchan," the source adds.
"The nod hasn't come in from the Bachchans yet, but is most likely to come in soon. For the actress playing Bajirao's wife, Bhansali has decided to hunt for other options instead of maintaining his first choice, Rani. He is also likely to replace Rekha whom he had considered for the Peshwa king's mother, Radha bai once Big B comes in," concludes our source.
We tried getting in touch with the Bhansali but met with no response while his production house officials preferred to remain tight lipped.
| Abhijit Mhamunkar | Thursday, August 30, 2007 |
---Indya.com
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