Will Hrithik Roshan play the bad-man in Deepika Padukone starrer Padmavati?

Mumbai: Reportedly, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has given a narration to Hrithik Roshan to play the character of Alauddin Khilji, in his grand historical based on Queen Padmavati. Ranveer Singh, who had collaborated with the director on ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’ and ‘Bajirao Mastani’ had been the obvious choice for the role. Khilji’s character being one that gets obsessed with Padmavati, and with Deepika Padukone playing Rani Padmavati, it all made perfect sense.

According to a report in DNA, Bhansali didn’t take kindly to being asked for a narration. The acclaimed director is of the opinion that Ranveer owes his phenomenal success to him and he should have been grateful for that. He reportedly said that if Shah Rukh Khan can be work with an Aditya Chopra or a Karan Johar sans a narration or if Salman Khan can do the same for Sooraj Barjatya, so can Ranveer with him.

When Ranveer asked SLB for a bound script, Bhansali refused and approached other actors for the character. He even sought out Shah Rukh Khan, who however couldn’t afford to allot the 200 days that were required of him.

The source also added that though the ‘Black’ director is angry and is actively pursuing Hrithik, he might probably come around and make the film with Ranveer, eventually. Meanwhile, SLB is hoping that Ranveer is in the loop on the proceedings and would come back to him, himself. Ranveer being the toast of the town, currently, and having leveraged himself way above his contemporaries, might not give in that easily. Ranveer, on the contrary, has taken off on a holiday with his boy buddies.

With both Bhansali and Ranveer refusing to give in, leading lady Deepika might eventually be required to step in.

The source also stated that the current stalemate has also put Deepika in a dilemma. Deepika is known to be religiously professional, never interfering with casting decisions, but Ranveer being her beau, she might have to step out in support.

Hrithik and Bhansali who had worked together in ‘Guzaarish’ are on good terms. Incidentally, Hrithik had also been Bhansali’s top choice for his monster hit ‘Bajirao Mastani’ but things hadn’t worked out.