Why is Bhansali not able to work with his fav Kareena?

We know Aishwarya and Deepika are Bhansali's muses but they were not the original choice of his films. He always thought of Kareena first for his film but never got an opportunity to work with her.

For Khamoshi, he first wanted a teenage Kareena but couldn't manage to work with her. SLB then thought of Madhuri Dixit who also refused to work with a new director. He then cast Manisha.

For HDDCS, his first choice was again Kareena. Then Kajol and later Aishwarya.

For Devdas, he screen tested Kareena first. Then Aishwarya.

For Black, his first choice was Kareena but Amitabh refused to work with her.

For Bajirao Mastani, he wanted Aishwarya first but later officially signed Kareena. Still couldn't manage to work with her.

For Ram Leela, he cast Kareena but later signed Deepika.

She said this about him back in the day:

"Sanjay Bhansali is a confused director. He is a person who does not stand by his word. He doesn't have any morals and principles in life. Tomorrow, even if he is the next Raj Kapoor or Guru Dutt, and my films don't do well and if I'm a flop actress, I will still not ever work with him," Kareena had told Filmfare during an interview, according to Cosmopolitan.

That is what SLB said after signing salman and Kareena for BM. I dont know why it never worked out but i think really wanted to work with her.

In an exclusive interview, Bhansali said, "I couldn't see a better Bajirao than Salman. I know people will challenge me for my casting. But they did the same when I cast Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas and Ajay Devgan in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The doubts are in their minds, not mine. Everyone has a different take on every issue. But the final decision has to come from within me. While writing the screenplay I saw only Salman and Kareena in the title roles. I think Salman fits in perfectly, no doubt about that. When audiences see him they'll know what I mean. I write all my scripts with Salman in mind. He understands me perfectly on the sets. There is a sense of fun underlining the seriousness on the sets."

Bhansali says he didn't sign his favourite Khan for Devdas because Shah Rukh Khan suited the role better. Salman, admits Bhansali, was hurt. "I should have told him I intended to cast Shah Rukh. He wasn't hurt about not being cast, but about not being told. Finally it's the film that matters. Friendship and loyalty shouldn't come in the way of casting. If you compromise in the casting it is bound to expose eventually. Black has to be made only with Amitji [Amitabh Bachchan] and Bajirao Mastani with Salman."

According to Bhansali, Kareena has extraordinary talent that is waiting to be tapped. "She has the pathos of Meena Kumari and the fire of Nargis. Kareena also exudes a unique mystery and power in her personality. There's something very striking and untamed about her personality. No one can play a female warrior better than her. Mastani has to be larger than life. Kareena is perfect for the role. She is going to be a revelation as Mastani. I wouldn't have anyone else playing Mastani. She possesses a completely different area of attitude, personality, beauty and femininity."

"Everything about her is different from the actresses I have worked with before," he says. "That gives me the impetus to explore the utterly fascinating character of Mastani in all her glory. Mastani is one of the most important female characters in Indian history. With Kareena playing her I feel I can capture the essence, ethos and spirit of Mastani."

Rediff.com

Am I reading this correctly? Goddess Aishwarya was not the first choice for SLB movies?

Pls pinch me 😮

Originally posted by: TheMinion

Am I reading this correctly? Goddess Aishwarya was not the first choice for SLB movies?

Pls pinch me 😮

Originally posted by: TheMinion

Am I reading this correctly? Goddess Aishwarya was not the first choice for SLB movies?

Pls pinch me 😮

No. She was not first choice for HDDCS and Devdas. SLB wanted Kareena or Kajol for HDDCS but couldn't manage to cast them. Aishwarya was third choice. Salman suggested her name to SLB because he was in love with her.

Devdas, Kareena was screen tested first but SLB felt she will not fit to be Paro when Madhuri in Chandramukhi. So SLB cast Aishwarya for Paro's role.

Bajirao Mastani, Aishwarya was first choice but SLB officially signed Kareena because Ash was not comfortable to work with Salman.

Aishwarya was first choice for Yash Chopra's films but couldn't manage to work with him. Yash Chopra said in Jeena Isika naam hai that he wanted to launch Aishwarya in Dil To Pagal Hai when the title was Maine Toh Mohabbat Karli in Karishma's role.

Yash Chopra then directed Veer Zaara. Again Aishwarya was first choice for Zaara's role. I was reading Filmfare magazine. Journalist ask the question to Aishwarya about her friendship with Preity Zinta. She said Preity had the decency to seek my permission to sign Yash Chopra's film when it was untitled. She is wonderful person.

Yash Chopra again wanted to cast her opposite Aamir Khan in Fanaa but she already signed Dhoom 2 and Aamir didn't want to work with Ash after she refused Ameesha's role in Mangal Pandey. So they cast Kajol upon Aamir's suggestion.

Originally posted by: Mugda

No. She was not first choice for HDDCS and Devdas. SLB wanted Kareena or Kajol for HDDCS but couldn't manage to cast them. Aishwarya was third choice. Salman suggested her name to SLB because he was in love with her.

Devdas, Kareena was screen tested first but SLB felt she will not fit to be Paro when Madhuri in Chandramukhi. So SLB cast Aishwarya for Paro's role.

Bajirao Mastani, Aishwarya was first choice but SLB officially signed Kareena because Ash was not comfortable to work with Salman.

Aishwarya was first choice for Yash Chopra's films but couldn't manage to work with him. Yash Chopra said in Jeena Isika naam hai that he wanted to launch Aishwarya in Dil To Pagal Hai when the title was Maine Toh Mohabbat Karli in Karishma's role.

Yash Chopra then directed Veer Zaara. Again Aishwarya was first choice for Zaara's role. I was reading Filmfare magazine. Journalist ask the question to Aishwarya about her friendship with Preity Zinta. She said Preity had the decency to seek my permission to sign Yash Chopra's film when it was untitled. She is wonderful person.

Yash Chopra again wanted to cast her opposite Aamir Khan in Fanaa but she already signed Dhoom 2 and Aamir didn't want to work with Ash after she refused Ameesha's role in Mangal Pandey. So they cast Kajol upon Aamir's suggestion.

Thank you for the detailed information, you are sweet 😊

Originally posted by: TheMinion

Thank you for the detailed information, you are sweet 😊

Now I understood your comment in that Refugee thread 😆

Aishwarya as Mastani probably would have been nice, but I am glad this didn't materialize with Kareena. Imagine a Poo or Sanjana type Mastani🐷

SLB played it safe by signing Deepu. Smart guy😎 Deepu's under-acting was way more preferable than the atrocious over-acting Kareena would have brought in. And it didn't hurt that Deepu was also pleasant to look at😛

Originally posted by: NotAMuggle

Now I understood your comment in that Refugee thread 😆

See? I gave you a foolproof plan of action for getting entertained by this forum!!!

Now I hope you'll agree that we are good people 😊