After the surprise announcement of Baiju Bawra, speculations are rife that Ajay Devgn will be the lead actor in Bhansali’s ambitious project.
On the occasion of Diwali, SLB’s production house made an announcement and wrote:
“After the release of #GangubaiKathiawadi on 11 Sep 2020, Sanjay Leela Bhansali to make his most ambitious film project… Titled #BaijuBawra… Revenge story of a maverick maestro… #Diwali2021 release.”
A source close to an Indian tabloid has revealed that Ajay has been approached for the same and says:
“It’s a two-hero film that Bhansali had been planning for some time. It’s been in the works for more than a couple of years actually.
In fact, at one point, he was all set to bring Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan together one more time with this period drama.
They liked the idea and wanted to do a film because both the roles are equally powerful in the script. But that didn’t happen.”
As such, everything changed with the fallout of Salman’s Inshallah and the source adds:
“Sanjay and Salman decided to part ways on In-sha-Allah and that happened on bitter terms.
He wanted to announce Baiju Bawra first but he had already committed to Alia and wanted to stick to his commitment.
He then moved ahead with Gangubai’s biopic that will roll out and take up the dates Alia had already allotted for the film with SK.
But after the big fight, Salman and SLB are not on talking terms and he immediately bounced the role to Ajay who seemed keen.”
Ajay and SLB last collaborated 20 years ago for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam also starring Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Devgn was also apparently approached for Bajirao Mastani but due to his packed schedule, it didn’t work out.
In addition, there have also been speculations the Devgn could also be in Bhansali’s other directorial Gangubai Kathiawadi alongside Alia Bhatt.
Baiju Bawra, the legendary 1952 film starring Meena Kumari and Bharat Bhushan is set in Mughal Emperor Akbar’s court.
In this backdrop, young musician Baiju challenges Tansen to a musical duel in order to avenge the death of his father, which he holds Tansen responsible for.
Official confirmations/developments regarding Bhansali’s adaptation are awaited.
