Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; April 3, 2014)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s passion and perfection is well known. We have now seen his determination too. Sanjay has held on to his dream of making his dream project Bajirao Mastani, a historical love story, for the past 10 years. And while he has toyed with the idea of making the film with both Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, he has finally chosen his Bajirao, who is none other than his Ram from Ram-Leela, Ranveer Singh. Sanjay and Ranveer don’t just share a great professional relationship, but have also created magic together in Ram-Leela. While he is still considering his options for who will be his Mastani, we are sure this magnum opus, slated for release on Christmas 2015, is a film we will all watch out for.
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Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 3, 2014)

The casting of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period romance Bajirao Mastani and Karan Johar’s ambitious love story Shhuddhi, 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 Raasleela 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 Shhuddhi, 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 Shhuddhi 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 Shhuddhi.
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Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; April 3, 2014)

Ranveer SinghActor Ranveer Singh seems to be in a quandary about choosing between Shhuddhi and Bajirao Mastani. Both filmmakers want to cast him and Deepika Padukone in their films, and both have announced the same release date for their films, even though the actor is yet to sign on the dotted line. Sources say that Ranveer, who has returned from Delhi after completing a shoot for his film Kill Dil, has had several round of talks with both Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

An industry source says, “Bhansali wants to start shooting for the film in November. But at the same time, shooting for Shuddhi will also be on. This means that if Ranveer commits to doing Shhuddhi, he will not be able to shoot for Bajirao Mastani. Besides, he is required to shave off his head for the latter film.”

Girlfriend Deepika is facing a similar problem too. The actress is keen on doing both films but clashing dates are an issue. Sources say that Bhansali doesn’t want to offer Mastani’s role to anyone else. “Bhansali is willing to factor in her dates for Shhuddhi and work around his film’s dates as per her availability. This would be sometime in March, but he wants to wait for her,” says the source.

When contacted, Ranveer Singh’s spokesperson refused to comment. Deepika, Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali remained unavailable for comment.