Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was replaced by Deepika Padukone in Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani; here's why

Deepika Padukone nailed the role in Padmaavat but director Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to cast Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the female lead.

Aishwarya revealed that SLB had approached her not just for Padmaavat, but also for Bajirao Mastani, but she could not play the roles due to casting issues. Interestingly, both the roles eventually went to Deepika.

"He 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," Aishwarya told SpotboyE.

Aishwarya, who had worked with Bhansali in Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, further said that she wants to work with him again.

"So, 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," she added.

According to reports, the filmmaker had plans to cast Salman and Aishwarya for the roles of Bajirao and Mastani, but the two stars' bitter equation did not make it happen.

It is to be mentioned, during the release of first look of Padmaavat, considerable comparisons were made between Deepika and Aishwarya, Many on social media had opined that although Deepika looked stunning in the royal avatar, it was Aishwarya who would have suited to the role even better.

Nonetheless, the dusky beauty eventually impressed all with her performance in the film, and it had turned out to be one of her best onscreen works.