Deepika Padukone to star opposite Ranveer Singh in Bajirao Mastani!

It's final. Both Kareena Kapoor Khan and Katrina Kaif have lost the opportunity to play Mastani in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. After nearly giving up on attempts to accommodate the film in her date diary, it's finally Deepika Padukone who would play the fiery female warrior Mastani. With Ranveer Singh playing Bajirao, Bhansali's Ram Leela jodi is back in place.

The casting of Ranveer and Deepika puts an end to months of speculation about who would play the role. Besides Ranveer, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn were the strongest contenders for Bajirao's role. As for Mastani, Kareena and Katrina were in the running to bag the coveted role.

"SLB was keen on Deepika for Mastani's part. But she couldn't seem to accommodate the long schedules required for Bajirao Mastani, specially since she gave the nod to Karan Johar's Shuddhi, which would take up close to 150 shooting days," says a source.

Apparently, Bhansali had almost finalized Katrina earlier this week but Deepika informed him that she would be able to fit Bajirao Mastani into her schedule. Thus, falls the curtain on one of the most passionately speculated casting process in recent times.

With Priyanka Chopra being roped in to play the role of Bajirao's wife, it is the Ram Leela team all over again for Bhansali. Now, we'll have to wait and watch to see if they can spin the magic once again in Bhansali's most awaited project.

SOURCE : http://www.pinkvilla.com/