On January 25, 2018, the film Padmaavat was released. The film's production was as dramatic as, if not more so, than the movie itself. Padmavati became Padmaavat and gave us a visual extravaganza that we only see in Bhansali films, from the casting controversy to the Karni Sena calling for a ban and making death threats. We tell you how Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh landed roles that were originally meant for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan.
AISHWARYA RAI AND SALMAN KHAN IN PADMAAVAT WAS SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI'S DREAM CAST.
Alauddin Khilji, played by Ranveer Singh, was the hero of Padmaavat. The actor outperformed himself as a Muslim invader. Even though superstar Salman Khan was the original choice for the role of Khilji, it's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role. As Rani Padmavati, Deepika Padukone was stunning. But she wasn't even the first choice for the part. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was chosen by Sanjay Leela Bhansali to play Mallika-e-Chittor.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's iconic film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam starred Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai in 1999. Casting them in another film was the filmmaker's dream. As a result, he approached them for Bajirao Mastani as well. However, following their messy breakup, Salman and Aishwarya refused to share screen time, causing the period drama to be postponed for years. Finally, the director cast Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, whose on-screen chemistry was truly magical.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali approached Salman and Aishwarya again for another of his grand films, Padmavati at the time. With the duo, he was almost successful in making the project happen. However, Aishwarya had stated that she would only join the project if Salman agreed to play Alauddin Khilji. This means they won't appear in any scenes together. The actor, however, was not willing to accept this condition because he desired to be cast opposite Aishwarya Rai.
Aishwarya had confirmed this by saying,"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. 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."
DEEPIKA PADUKONE AND RANVEER SINGH'S HISTORICAL SPECTACLE IN PADMAAVAT
With Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, Padmaavat was finally brought to life on screen. Maharawal Ratan Singh, the Rajput ruler, was played by Shahid Kapoor, and Rani Padmavati, his unbelievably beautiful wife, was played by Deepika Padukone. Ranveer Singh plays Alauddin Khilji, the junooni ruler who is smitten by Padmavati, the 'nayaab cheez', and camps outside Chittorgarh fort to entrap her.
Between many Rajputana shaan dialogues and Khilji's wrath, Padmavati decides to make the Jauhar sacrifice - self-immolation - rather than be captured by Khilji. Everything in Padmaavat is grand and a complete visual spectacle, from the sets to the costumes.
Is it possible that the film would have done better with Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan? Who knows what will happen! But, without a doubt, we'd like to see the two on screen together again. It's been more than two decades since we last saw with each other.
