Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 7, 2014)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, planned years ago, with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, is back in the news for its casting drama. With no formal announcement forthcoming , rumour mills are abuzz with speculations of who will play Bajirao. Interestingly, the four names being tossed around—Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Hrithik Roshan and Ranveer Singh—have all worked with Bhansali. But Mirror has learnt that currently the frontrunner is Ranveer who was recently seen as Ram in Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-leela.

Says a source close to the development, “Sanjay has been in talks with Ranveer and unless there’s some last-minute hitch, it’s almost certain that he’ll be playing Bajirao.”

The source adds that the actor who eventually bags this much-coveted role will have to commit almost a year exclusively to the project. “Ten months for the shoot and a month for promotions. And Sanjay wants his hero to shave off his hair, except for a little choti or shikha (braid) that pundits sport on their bald pates. This would mean that the actor will have to clear his calendar before taking up the project.”

According to the source, Ranveer has loved the script and is trying to finish off with the films he is working on by the year end. If all goes well, 2015 will be devoted to Bhansali and Bajirao.

There is a possibility that his Mastani will be Deepika Padukone.

When contacted, Ranveer's spokesperson confirmed the news saying, "Yes, he is in advance talks for the role."