SLB plans Christmas release with Deepika Padukone

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who had an excellent run at the box office during Christmas 2015 with Bajirao Mastani, is set to replicate the success. The director we hear, is working on another project that will hit the screens during Christmas 2017 and will feature his current favourite muse Deepika Padukone. He has already discussed the story idea with the actress who seemed to have liked it.

Says a source, "Sanjayji spoke to Deepika about his project during the shoot of Bajirao Mastani and she seemed excited at the prospect then. She will mostly agree to play the part. Just that with Bhansali productions, one has to be able to commit a large chunk of exclusive dates, which is not always very easy."

As for the male lead in the film, Ranveer is always in the running, but this time Bhansali might want to cast Salman Khan. Adds the source, "There is a high possibility that the leading man of the film could be Salman. Bhansali may have said that his meeting with Salman recently was just casual, but the two have discussed a project. Salman has not given a nod to the project yet, but if it
happens, then after Kabir Khan's next film, Salman and Deepika will be paired again in Bhansali's next Christmas release. And if that doesn't happen, Ranveer Singh is always up for the job."

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/200416/sanjay-leela-bhansali-plans-christmas-release-with-deepika-padukone.html