Ranveer Singh picks Bajirao Mastani over Shuddhi

The casting of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period romance ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and Karan Johar’s ambitious love story ‘Shuddhi’, has kept the grapevine buzzing overtime with speculations for weeks now.

While, the names of Shah Rukh, Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgn were being tossed around to play Bajirao, Ranveer Singh, Bhansali’s Ram from ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’ was always the frontrunner.In fact, according to a source close to the development, the director had told the actor at the very onset that he was his Bajirao.

On March 7, Mirror had reported that Ranveer was “in advance talks for the role”, and unless there was a last-minute hitch, would devote 2015 to Bajirao Mastani. The rumours continued to fly after Hrithik Roshan opted out of Shuddhi, and Ranveer who has become a sought after name with top banners with back-to-back hits, was in the running for that role too. But buzz is, despite his best efforts to accommodate the Karan Malhotra directed film, Ranveer has apparently had to bow out of the ‘Shuddhi’ race.

Since both films have announced the same release date, Christmas 2015, there is no way the actor can accommodate both his favourite filmmakers. Moreover, Bajirao Mastani, which Bhansali plans to start by the end of this year, will be an 11-month commitment and Ranveer may even have to shave off his hair for the film.

So, since Bhansali approached him first, Ranveer has decided to stay with him while reluctantly turning down Karan’s offer. Last heard, Karan was wooing Aamir Khan to take up Shuddhi.

Tagged Ranveer Singh