The makers of "Padmavati" are on the lookout for an actor who will play King to Deepika Padukone's queen in the period film. Usually, finalising a line-up of artistes for films is a casting director's job, but in this case the leading lady is calling the shots.
According to a BollywoodLife report, it is Deepika who is being picky and choosy about her onscreen husband. At first she refused to work with a TV actor and later showed disinterest in sharing screen space with "Raman Raghav 2.0" actor Vicky Kaushal.
For a bit, there was a strong buzz that Fawad Khan has dates to spare and is being considered for the part. It has come to ligh that Deepika had put in a word for him and has been trying to pull the Pakistani actor on board the project. Unfortunately, the "Kapoor and Sons" star has not agreed to do the film.
Meanwhile, it is being said that Shahid Kapoor is the perfect fit and could sign the dotted line. The young star doesn't mind playing second fiddle to Deepika in the film because he will anyway be going on a paternity break and "Padmavati" is a project that fits in comfortable with his schedule for the next few months.
Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan are two other top stars in the running for the role. While the "Fan" actor has expressed an interest in the project, the makers want to experiment with Hrithik and Deepika as a pair.
The team needs to zero in on an actor soon because the first leg is scheduled to roll sometime in September.
This Sanjay Leela Bhansali film is about Alauddin Khilji's (to be played by Ranveer Singh) obsessive desire to obtain Rani Padmavati. And because the shrewd ruler would often trick the King, Rawal Ratan Singh, no A-listers are interested in the role.
Trivia
This is Ranveer, Deepika and Sanjay's third film together after "Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela" and "Bajirao Mastani." Both the films were huge at box office and were critically acclaimed too.
