Mirror (August 18) had earlier reported that Iranian film maker Majid Majidi was in Mumbai for a week in August to prep for his next, Floating Gardens, and to meet casting director Honey Trehan. A story set in rural India, it will be shot in Mumbai, Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kashmir.

The rumour mills started buzzing when pictures of a de-glam Deepika Padukone dressed in a salwar-kameez at Dharavi in Mumbai began making the rounds on the social media. Majidi was around reeling of instructions leading to speculations that she had been signed to play a small town girl. But according to a source close to the development, Deepika is yet to sign on the dotted line and this was just a 'look' test because Majidi wanted to see if she fit the part. The filmmaker is currently on a recce in Jaipur. The film is expected to roll in mid-December.

Deepika has wrapped up her Hollywood debut, the Vin Diesel-starrer xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. The DJ Caruso directorial is slated for a January release. Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh has started shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati and the 30-year-old actress who plays the title role is expected to join soon.

Majidi's human drama has 8-10 principal characters who will be played by Indian actors roped in from across the country. The story revolves around a man and a woman and a teenage boy. While Deepika is in contention for the female castings lead, the other two underway Buzz is, Shahid Kapoor's younger brother Ishaan Khattar is being considered for the role of the teenager.

Mirror tried reaching out to producers Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora but they remained unavailable for comment.
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Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 11, 2016)

In 2013, it was announced that Majid Majidi’s next will be set in India. After much delay, the production team of Floating Gardens — as the film is tentatively titled — along with the Iranian filmmaker is finalising locations in Jaipur. We hear, Deepika Padukone met the film’s unit soon after her arrival from The Netherlands after the European Music Awards, and an elaborate look test was done at Dhobi Ghat.

Contrary to rumours that the look test was for a rag picker’s part in the film, an insider tells us it’s a well fleshed out character who has a humble beginning in life. “But the role definitely isn’t that of a rag picker. She is one of the five actress to have been shortlisted. Majidi’s school of movies isn’t so much about an actress’ star prowess as much as it is about her fitting the bill. Having said that, two other leading ladies will be auditioning for the part. There is a famous indie actress, who is neck and neck with Deepika. However, the details of actresses in the race are between the producers and Majidi.”

Majidi’s team is also looking at casting a known male actor, but not necessarily a star. “Actors, who were approached and have auditioned, were made to sign a non-disclosure agreement. They can’t talk till signing of the film,” a source says.

Before Majidi leaves India this time, the film’s casting will be finalised. “They hope to start rolling by end of January 2017. The actors will need to block their dates for several months together.” The bilingual film [Hindi and English], to be dubbed in Farsi later, will be shot across Benaras, Jaipur, Nainital, Delhi, Mumbai and Shimla.