It's Confirmed: Ranveer, Deepika and Priyanka to Star in Bhansali's 'Bajirao Mastani'

Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra have finally given their nod to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next directorial project "Bajirao Mastani", putting an end to the months of speculations surrounding the film's cast. 

The period-drama is based on the love story of warrior Peshwar Baji Rao and his second wife, Mastani. The movie will reportedly have Singh playing the role of Maratha general Baji Rao, Padukone as Baji Rao's second wife, Mastani and Chopra playing his first wife, Kashibai, reported Bollywoodlife.com.

Besides Singh, superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn were also considered for the lead role and both Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor are said to have vied for the coveted role of Mastani. But the lead characters went on to Singh and Padukone, while Chopra was roped in for the supporting role.

Kapoor is believed to have approached Bhansali expressing her wish to play Mastani, but was offered the role of Kashibai instead, as Padukone was considered well-suited for Mastani. Kapoor reportedly declined the offer to play the supporting role, thus making way for Chopra.

While Bhansali's magnum opus "Bajirao Mastani" is essentially a love story, the story of the troubled first wife Kashibai would be an essential part in the film, which is what appears to have drawn Chopra to play the secondary, yet performance-driven role.

Bhansali of "Devdas" fame, has been planning to make a film on Peshwa Bajirao and his love Mastani for the past 15 years. The project has been under consideration since the making of "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", which Bhansali directed.

It has been said the director wished to cast Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai for the film back then. But the idea of casting "Kick" star and former Miss World got shelved when their relationship went kaput and since then he has been delaying the project to get a suitable cast for his film.

Baji Rao was a Maratha general, who served as Peshwa to the fourth Maratha Chhatrapati (emperor) Shahu from 1720 until his death. He is acknowledged for his contribution to the expansion of the Maratha empire.

Currently, the "Ram-Leela" actress is shooting for Imtiaz Ali's "Tamaasha" opposite ex-boyfrined, Ranbir Kapoor in Corsica and Singh is busy completing his final shoot for "Dil Dhadrakne Do", which also has Chopra in  pivotal role.

"Gunday" star Chopra will also be seen in biopic "Mary Kom", which is also a Bhansali film.