Even as Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati has been in the news due to several factors -- controversies surrounding the cast and their issues with the script -- even before the film went on floors, the latest buzz is that the film will not hit theatres in 2017. Instead it has been pushed for a 2018 release.

Although Padmavati lead actors Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor have allotted a chunk of dates to Bhansali, considering the ace director's eye for detail, it seems unlikely that film will be ready by 2017. However, an industry source refuted the rumour. "This is highly improbable. The film will release next year. How can Deepika not have a release in 2017? This is all speculation," the source told DNA.

However, if the speculation turns out to be true and Padmavati hits theatres in 2018, it will clash with Shah Rukh Khan and Aanand L Rai's untitled next, the release date of which has already been announced as Christmas 2018. This will be the third time Shah Rukh and Bhansali's film will clash at the box office after Om Shanti Om-Saawariya and Dilwale-Bajirao Mastani, respectively.

Meanwhile, rumour has it that Ranveer doesn't want to share screen space with Shahid on the film's poster and has demanded a solo poster. Recently, the actor had also put forth a condition that he wants Shahid's role to be cut short. However, Bhansali, who is quite fond of Ranveer, hasn't agreed to it since Shahid's character holds equal importance in the film as that of Deepika and Ranveer and also because the Haider actor may opt out of the project if he gives in to Ranveer's demands.

This will be Deepika and Ranveer's third film with Bhansali after Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani.