Not Deepika, Priyanka was set to romance Ranveer in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ramleela?
It's been said that Priyanka was no longer on talking terms with Bhansali after he ditched her for Deepika.
Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's grand love story 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela' (2013) was one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. The first time pairing of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone created sizzling chemistry on-screen. The two Bollywood heartthrobs, eventually fell in love on the sets of this very film. After 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela', Ranveer and Deepika went on to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in his next two films- 'Bajirao Mastani' (2015) and 'Padmaavat' (2018).
However, it was Priyanka Chopra and not Deepika Padukone who was supposed to play Ranveer Singh's love interest in the film. According to leading entertainment website, director Bhansali replaced PeeCee with Deepika at the last minute.
The website quoting journalist Bharathi Pradhan's book, Priyanka Chopra: The Dark Horse, reported that after Kareena Kapoor Khan opted out of Ram Leela, Priyanka agreed to play the role of the female lead in the film but the director chose to replace her with Deepika in the last minute.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali Productions’ former CEO, Sandeep Singh was quoted saying, “It was her desire to work with Bhansali and I believe that to this day, no film has fully tapped her talent. Anyway, shooting started with Deepika. PC was understandably no longer on talking terms with us.”
Priyanka Chopra, however starred in 'Mary Kom' which was produced by Bhansali and also did a special dance number in Ranveer-Deepika's 'Ram Leela'.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali had earlier said, “When creative people get together, it's important they realise that what they're creating is more important than you or me. Then came Mary Kom and I realised that this was a film she should do and must do but (given the strained circumstances) whether she would or not.But she also understood that this was a separate film, an independent idea, not linked with the other film. She doesn't let go of opportunities.”
Priyanka, Deepika and Ranveer together starred in Sanjay Leeela Bhansali's dream project 'Bajirao Mastani' (2015), which became a major success.