Deepika Padukone’s career took a dramatic turn thanks to her collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Their triumphant trilogy comprising Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastani, and Padmaavat proved to be a game-changer that left an indelible mark on Bollywood.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was initially considered for the roles in Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat instead of Deepika. She had given her consent and was on the verge of signing the contracts. Nevertheless, fate had other plans, and it was Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself who faced challenges in finding the perfect male leads to pair opposite Aishwarya.
In a conversation with SpotboyE, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan shed light on the casting dilemmas that led to her eventual non-participation. She explained, “He (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) didn’t get the Bajirao for me. He wanted me to do Padmaavat, but could not get the Khilji for me, at the casting time. So, that’s how it didn’t happen.”
She went on to add, “So, at the end of the day, you need to see the casting. If the casting is not happening, then sometimes, it doesn’t come together. The intention is always there to work together, but it didn’t happen. We both loved working with each other, so let’s see, whenever it is meant to be.”
Although the prospect of witnessing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali masterpiece was enticing, destiny took its course, and the roles eventually found their deserving actors. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh brought these iconic characters to life, leaving an indelible impact on the world of cinema.
