There was buzz that Bollywood star Ajay Devgn was reportedly the first choice for actor Ranveer Singh's role as Alauddin Khilji in 'Padmavati'. Now, according to latest reports, the actor was apparently offered 'Bajirao Mastani' and not 'Padmavati'
Padmavati: Was Ajay Devgn the first choice for Ranveer Singh's role of Allauddin Khilji?
There was buzz that Bollywood star Ajay Devgn was reportedly the first choice for actor Ranveer Singh's role as Alauddin Khilji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film 'Padmavati'. Now, according to latest reports, the 'Golmaal Again' actor was offered 'Bajirao Mastani' and not 'Padmavati'.
Ajay Devgn
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A report in Deccan Chronicle quotes a source from Bhansali Productions who rubbished reports of Ajay Devgn being the original choice for Ranveer Singh's role of Alauddin Khilji in 'Padmavati' and called it 'irrelevant PR'. The source told the newspaper, "Ajay was never offered Padmavati. The Khilji role was Ranveer Singh's from the very start. Ajay had been offered Bajirao Mastani; he was the first choice for the role. And Bhansali sir was keen to team up with him again after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. But things didn't work out then."
The report suggests that Ajay Devgn demanded a whopping amount that forced Sanjay Leela Bhansali to consider his 'Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela' actor for 'Bajirao Mastani'.
Padmavati row: How a Bollywood movie got caught in a political storm
Ranveer Singh as Allauddin Khilji in 'Padmavati'
Meanwhile, 'Padmavati' is currently in the midst of a raging controversy. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's attempt to bring alive the story of Rajput queen Rani Padmavati on the silver screen with his movie 'Padmavati' hasn't gone down well with Hindu groups backed by the BJP. It features Deepika as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as her husband and a warrior king and Ranveer Singh essays Alauddin Khilji. Bhansali faced many hiccups while shooting the film, but the protests escalated as the film neared its release date. There are conjectures that it 'distorts history' regarding the Rajput queen, and Bhansali has denied it repeatedly. The movie's release date has been deferred from the original December 1 date, but there are efforts from Hindu groups to have it banned.
Padmavati row: Bollywood films that courted controversy and why
A large number of members of the film and entertainment industry gathered here on Sunday to express their support to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film 'Padmavati', and question the status of freedom of speech and expression in India's democracy when a caste group like the Karni Sena could constantly threatening the filmmakers and travel nationwide to stop its release.
After getting several threats over her film 'Padmavati', Deepika Padukone had said she would like to feel 'safer and protected' at this point of time. In an interview with 'Talking Movies: India Special' for BBC World News, the actress voiced her opinion on the whole stir. Asked whether she would like to have better protection from the state, Deepika said, "In an ideal world, yes. I think it is too soon to tell... But yes it would be nicer to feel safer or protected at this point."
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