Although the next film of Sanjay Leela Bhansali is Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi but his another project Baiju Bawra is probably creating more buzz among the fans. There has been a lot of speculation around the cast of the film.
Ranveer Singh was reported to be approached to play the lead role in the film. It was also reported that Ajay Devgn was offered the role of Tansen which he refused. Now it has been reported that Hrithik Roshan has been offered the titular character in the film as the talks between Ranveer and the makers fell through.
If Hrithik is doing Baiju Bawra it would be his second collaboration with Sanjay as the two worked together nine years ago for Guzaarish that also starred Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
A report on Bollywood Hungama quotes a trade source as saying, “Few know that Hrithik and the filmmaker have been holding meetings for the last few days. SLB loved the actor’s performances in Super 30 and War and reached out to him post his last release. Hrithik loves Bhansali’s work and is keen to work in a period drama again. Till now Hrithik had given his nod only to his father Rakesh Roshan’s superhero action drama, Krrish 4, but he loved Bhansali’s script. In a hush-hush development that happened on Saturday night (November 2) at the filmmaker’s home, Hrithik agreed to do Baiju Bawra. The formal signing will take place within the next few days along with a proper announcement.”
The source adds that apparently, talks with Ranveer and the Devdas director did not work out due to date issues. Besides Ranveer is also doing another period drama. “Ranveer will be busy shooting for another period drama, Takht, directed by Karan Johar, which itself requires a lot of prep and is based during the Mughal era. Baiju Bawra is a pure musical and a dramatized version of the story of the uniquely talented classical singer Baiju Bawra who defeated the legendary musician Tansen, at a musical duel, held in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar. While the filmmaker had offered the lead and title role of the young Baiju Bawra to Ranveer Singh, apparently things didn’t work out as Ranveer didn’t have dates next year.
Baiju is a passionate, emotional, deeply vengeful and yet intensely romantic character and Ranveer needs a lot of prep before every role. The filmmaker also requires a lot of time from his actors before and during the shoot and Ranveer’s date diary is choc-a-bloc as of now with Takht and YRF’s Jayeshbhai Jordaar. There’s speculation too that Ranveer may make a surprise appearance in Rohit Shetty’s next part of the Golmaal franchise which rolls next year.”
There is no official word from any of the sides yet. It remains to be seen who will we see bringing music maestro Baiju Bawra alive on the silver screen.