Bajirao Mastani: Things to look forward to

If you’ve already caught Bajirao Mastani, you might have noticed the special dedication Sanjay Leela Bhansali made to a specific ‘S.’ Well, the mysterious identity of the said Mr S is now revealed and it’s none other than Salman Khan. Yes, you read that right! We know that when Bhansali first came up with the idea of making Bajirao Mastani, he wanted Salman Khan to play the lead, however the project did not quite take shape due to various circumstances. 12 years later, the project has finally come to life with Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone playing the title roles, and Sanjay made it a point to thank the man who inspired the idea in the first place. A source informed BollywoodLife that Sanjay simply had to mention Salman somewhere in the film, whether or not he admits it publicly.

If you haven’t seen the film yet, here’s why you need to do it right now…

We know that before Sanjay Leela Bhansali locked Ranveer Singh as Bajirao in his recently released period drama, Bajirao Mastani, he was considering Salman Khan to play the role. But with the project being on hold for over a decade and things between the two not quite working out, the role landed in Ranveer’s lap. However, we recently learned that Salman’s father, Salim Khan, was the first to have been approached for the role of Bajirao, though not by SLB. Reportedly, Salim was approached for a film on Bajirao which was to be helmed by Vishram Bedekar back in the 50s. Salim confirmed the news to BollywoodLife.com saying that owing the budget constraints the project was eventually shelved.

While that project might not have taken shape, SLB’s film is definitely something to look out for. Read on to find out what Shah Rukh Khan has to say about the film...

After creating box-office history with ‘Chennai Express,’ Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan will now be competing against each other as their respective films, ‘Dilwale’ and ‘Bajirao Mastani’, will clash at the box-office. However, the Bollywood stars have been trying their best to keep things professional. However, when Shah Rukh Khan called ‘Bajirao Mastani’ "niche" and "historical" while describing how it was different from family and happy-go-lucky kind film ‘Dilwale’, Deepika Padukone rose to counter the claim that the film is anything but niche. She said that one of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s strength is that he has his way of story-telling that makes films like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ or ‘Devdas’ or ‘Ram-Leela’, or even ‘Black’ globally appealing, as reported by Deccan Chronicle. Well, both the stars continue to maintain that both the films belong to different genres and will get an audience. On the other hand, know what Ranveer Singh had to say about working on ‘Bajirao Mastani’…

<strong>Ranveer Singh: No other film demanded this much of me</strong><br /> Actor Ranveer Singh, in a PTI report, says that he has given his best to justify the role of Peshwa Bajirao in his upcoming film, Bajirao Mastani. &ldquo;He was a great man. The deeper I get into it the more I realise what a great man he was. It is a great honour to be selected to play this character. I did my best to justify what I was given to play. He was a true Maratha. It has been an intense experience for me,&rdquo; he said. Ranveer further elaborated that, &ldquo;I had to focus and try and create something distinct. It is not easy to do a period character and transport mentally to that time. No other film demanded this much of me. It is not a complaint, I am proud and happy to play this role which you get in a decade. I had got to do much for my craft.&quot;

Bajirao Mastani song Gajanana to get a grand launch

Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra’s Bajirao Mastani is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s dream project. It has been shot at a lavish scale and every frame in the movie is larger than life. The first song of the film will be unveiled soon and as is true of all SLB songs, this one too would be a visual spectacle. But the makers are also going to great lengths to launch the song at a grand scale. According to a Bollywoodlife report the Bajirao Mastani song 'Gajanana' will be the biggest song launch ever. The report reveals that the song will be launched on September 15th in Pune at the Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex, Balewadi Stadium, where the Commonwealth Games were held. The song will be launched with the biggest human formation of a mosaic image of Lord Ganesha which is of 195 ft huge, curated from the 'Gajanana' song. Over 5000 students from across the country have been called on board to create the magical Lord Ganesha mosaic.

Read on to now about whom Deepika was asked to think while filming a dance for Bajirao Mastaani...

Deepika Padukone was asked to think about Ranveer Singh while dancing for ‘Bajirao Mastani’

That Deepika Padukone is a fabulous dancer, is known to all. But recently, the actress was asked to think about Bajirao Mastani and alleged boyfriend Ranveer Singh to perfect her dance steps, reports Mumbai Mirror. According to the report, Deepika is performing a solo dance number ‘Mohe rang do lal’ in the period drama, and it is being choreographed by Birju Maharaj. As the song was about Mastani, who is a warrior and a lover, the director of the film Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted a fiery traditional Kathak recital with her being dressed from head to toe in red. The song which was supposed to be shot in eight days took 10 days to be completed. The 77-year-old Padma Vibhushan Awardee was quoted saying, "I told Deepika to think of Ranveer (Singh), who is her on screen lover, as her Kishore, and like Madhubala had danced to his tunes in Jhumroo, she should dance the same way for her Bajirao."

While Deepika masters the steps for the special song, read on to know which model turned actor is a part of Bajirao Mastani...

Milind Soman in 'Bajirao Mastani'?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus Bajirao Mastani is set to release in December 2015. While a lot of buzz about the film starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra is doing the rounds, here comes a new piece of information. According to a report on Bollywoodlife.com, Milind Soman, who is in the news these days for winning one of the most challenging races in the world – Ironman Triathlon, will apparently play the role of one of the Peshwa ministers in the film. Further to the report, he will be seen doing a lot of sword fighting and hand-to hand combat, and for the same, he has trained for Kalaripayattu.

Read on to know about other things that we can look forward to in the film...

‘Bajirao Mastani’ teaser: Extravagant and larger than life, SLB lives up to his trademark style

The first poster of Bajirao Mastani created a stir and now with the long teaser, this seems to be like a another blockbuster coming from Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Starring Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh, this historical romance film centres around the life of Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao I, his wife Kashibai, and Mastani, his second wife. Typical to a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, the teaser gives a glimpse into a larger than life story, elaborate sets, expensive jewellery and a visual treat for the eyes! Intense and powerful with a story to tell, the teaser is a hit coming from the SLB camp.

With the teaser generating so much excitement, read on to know what was the reaction to the first poster, and things to look forward to in this film...

Bajirao Mastani: First poster out!

The first poster of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming historical romance drama Bajirao Mastani, starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, is out! Ranveer Singh shared the film's poster on his Twitter account and wrote, "A STORM IS COMING.......... #BajiraoMastani" [sic]

As soon as the poster was unveiled, #BajiraoMastani started trending on Twitter. The film's theatrical trailer releases alongside Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan on Friday (July 17, 2015).

Read on to know about the things that we can look forward to in the magnum opus...

Bajirao Mastani is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus. The filmmaker had originally planned to cast Salman Khan in the movie but when the actor was dropped from the project, it was Ranveer Singh who fit the bill. In the past, SLB has made a very successful film - Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela with Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone and he has continued them in Bajirao Mastani. Deepika Padukone will be one of the leading ladies of the film. The other one is Priyanka Chopra, who featured in a cameo appearance in Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela. This period film seems to be an interesting watch.

Bajirao Mastani is a historical-romance. According to an IANS report, Bajirao Mastani is based on the love story of 18th century Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao I and his second wife, Mastani. The role of Bajirao will be played by Ranveer Singh. Deepika will play his second wife, Mastani and Priyanka will step into the shoes of Kashibai, the first wife of Peshwa Bajirao. While Ranveer and Deepika have floored the audience with their chemistry in the earlier film, Ranveer and Priyanka, too, managed to make romance look good in Gunday. With such a stellar cast in place, it would be interesting to see how the film plays out.

Ranveer Singh has proved his acting prowess with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's last film, Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela. From showing off his chiseled abs, gyrating to pulsating music to landing kicks and punches - the actor has done it all. And now for Bajirao Mastani, Ranveer Singh went a step ahead and had shaved his hair off. He has sported a bald look in the film. According to a Bombay Times report, Ranveer had cut himself off from the outside world to concentrate on playing the role of Bajirao. He was reportedly staying away from his home, in a rented apartment near Film City, where the film was being shot. Ranveer has shown a great level of dedication for the film. Even after sustaining an injury on the sets and undergoing surgery for the same, Ranveer was back on the sets in no time.

Deepika Padukone plays Mastani in the film. Deepika Padukone is portraying a Muslim character and will have a royal style in the movie. Deepika Padukone had been juggling the shoot schedules of Tamasha along with Bajirao Mastani. Expectations are high from Deepika Padukone thanks to her portrayal of Leela. To see her don the garb of Bajirao’s Mastani will indeed make for an interesting watch. Deepika will reportedly also have a few scenes with Priyanka Chopra and it would be exciting to watch the top-notch actresses in the same frame.

Priyanka Chopra was a vision in the sizzling item number in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's last film, Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela. However this time around, the actress plays an impactful role. She will be seen donning the Maharashtrian look, complete with a navwari saree and traditional green bangles. After playing Ranveer Singh's sister in Dil Dhadakne Do, the actress now plays his first wife in Bajirao Mastani. Priyanka Chopra has played the role of a Maharashtrian in the past too, but those were contemporary characters. Considering that Bajirao Mastani is a period film, the challenge will be to get the nuances of the character correct.

Bajirao Mastani has a rather interesting love triangle. Priyanka Chopra will be playing Ranveer Singh's first wife, Kashibai, in the film. Recently the duo was seen playing siblings in Dil Dhadakne Do, and they will romance for the second time after Gunday. On the other hand, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are a very popular couple onscreen. Deepika will be his second wife, Mastani, in the film. Ranveer and Deepika are also allegedly in love and have been making headlines with their rumours about their relationship. The off-screen chemistry, on-screen equations and the clash between the two would be a major draw of the movie.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s style of filmmaking is all about opulence and grandeur. Having chanced upon renowned dancers, Deepika and Priyanka, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has planned an interesting dance-off between the two. According to a PTI report, Priyanka and Deepika will perform an ambitious lavni number on a larger-than-life set. The report further quoted choreographer Remo D'souza as saying that the song is a mix of folk and classical dance and that the two actresses have worked very hard on it.