Producer and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming historical romance, Bajirao Mastani tells the story of Peshwa (Prime Minister) Bajirao I of the Maratha Empire and his second wife Mastani. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have been chosen to play the titular protagonists in this drama with Priyanka Chopra playing Bajirao‘s first wife Kashibai.
The film was first announced in 2003. Sanjay Leela Bhansali initially wanted to cast Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai (his lead pair from ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’) in the titular roles, but could not cast them together after their highly publicized break-up.
As far as music is concerned, once again, the director himself takes the mantle of composing the music for his film. We all know SLB has an ear for great music; hence his previous attempts such as ‘Ram Leela‘ were so successful.
Despite its much awaited arrival, controversies have already started to surround the film. The descendants of Peshwa Bajirao and Mastani have accused the makers of misrepresenting the historical characters. A social activist Hemant Patil has approached the Bombay High Court seeking stay on the release of the movie until two of its songs – ‘Pinga‘ and ‘Malhari‘ – are censored as these allegedly distort facts and history.
With the film is scheduled to be released on December 18, 2015, its business at the box office has yet to be seen.