Friday, 7th March, 3:09 PM 

Everyone is aware of the fact that directorSanjay Leela Bhansali had decided on actors Salman Khan and Aishwarya RaiBachchan to play the lead roles in his film ‘Bajirao Mastani’ years ago. But,now it seems like this hibernated movie requires new casting.

 

The four actors whose names are suspectedto be on the casting list for this film are – Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn,Hrithik Roshan and Ranveer Singh. Interestingly, these actors have alreadyworked with the director.

 

However, reports say that currently thefrontrunner is Ranveer Singh who played the male lead in Bhansali’s recent boxoffice hit, ‘Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela’.

 

According to a source, “Sanjay has been intalks with Ranveer and unless there's some last-minute hitch, it's almostcertain that he'll be playing Bajirao.”

 

The source added that the actor whoeventually bags this much-desirable role will have to commit almost a yearexclusively to the project. He continues, “Ten months for the shoot and a monthfor promotions. And Sanjay wants his hero to shave off his hair, except for alittle choti or shikha (braid) that pundits sport on their baldpates. This would mean that the actor will have to clear his calendar beforetaking up the project." 

 

Also, it is likely that Ranveer’s Mastaniwould be actor Deepika Padukone. His spokesperson confirmed the news saying, “Yes, he is in advance talks for the role.”

 

The source also said that Ranveer is keenon finishing his current projects by the end of this year in order to be thedevoted Bajirao in 2015.