Happy Ending: Bajirao and Mastani Unite at Last

2018 seems to be the year of weddings in Bollywood. After Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, it is Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, followed by Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas next month.

The much in love couple is tying the knot today in Italy. It is undeniable that both of them have endeared themselves to their fans in the roles they have played and also with their persona in real life. They both shared flawless chemistry on the screen. One wonders if they will be paired again after marriage and if they do, will that same
chemistry work its magic once again.

While wishing the couple a happy wedded life, let us go on a trivia journey of the four movies in which they have acted together…..

Goliyon Ki Raasleela – Ram Leela

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic movie was based of Shakespeare’s Romeo Juliet. Pakistani actor Imran Abbas was the original choice for the role of Ram but due to contractual issues, he could not accept the offer and it was Ranveer who got the role, Needless to say that he did full justice to the role. Similarly, Deepika played the role, which was originally envisaged for Kareena Kapoor. She ended up getting the Best Actress award for her spectacular performance.

Ranveer was required to build up his body for the movie. Apart from quitting alcohol for well over a year, he took the help of celebrity trainer Kris Gethin who has helped Hrithik Roshan and John Abraham in developing their physique. There was a gym on the sets to ensure that Ranveer maintains his physique.

The movie was a huge hit and crossed the Rs 220 crore mark at the box office. Dubbed a violent love story, Ranveer and Deepika were shown as belonging to two warring factions. Originally, they were named Jadeja and Rabari community but after public opposition the names were changed to Saneda and Rajari. After the two lovers sacrifice
themselves, the two communities make peace with each other.

Finding Fanny

This movie can be described in one word – quirky. It explored in a comical car journey, five idiosyncratic characters, one of whom is Deepika who plays the female lead. The movie also stars Naseeruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia, Arjun Kapoor and Pankaj Kapoor. Originally, Rishi Kapoor was supposed to play the role which was played by Pankaj
Kapoor.

Ranveer had a cameo in the movie as Deepika’s husband who dies on their wedding day. The director, Homi Adajania says that Ranveer is a friend and one day, while they were discussing the movie, he said he would play the role of Deepika’s husband. His shoot was over in half a day but since they were having so much fun, he stayed on for a week
afterwards. As it was a miniscule role, he did not charge for the movie.

Bajirao Mastani

This blockbuster historical romance, also by Sanjay Leela Bhansali crossed Rs 350 crore at the box office. Ranveer, who got the Best Actor award, played the role of Peshwa Bajirao, while Deepika played the role of his second wife, Mastani.

Priyanka Chopra, who also starred in the movie, won Filmfare’s Best Supporting Actress award for her role. Deepika took special Kathak lessons as well as sword-fighting lessons for the movie, while Ranveer learnt horse riding. Both learnt the ancient martial arts Kalaripayattu, while Priyanka learnt ancient Marathi for the movie.

Padmavaat

Sanjay Leela Bhansali repeated the duo in Padmavaat, his costliest movie, the budget being over Rs 200 crore. However it grossed Rs 585 crore to be one of the biggest box office hits in the history of Indian cinema.

Deepika enacts the role of Rani Padmavati who is married to Rajput ruler Maharawal Ratan Singh, played by Shahid Kapoor. It is once again a stunning performance from her, playing the role of the beautiful and highly intelligent queen. Ranveer plays the role of Alauddin Khilji who is obsessed with Rani Padmavati’s looks. For Ranveer, playing an
evil ruler was a challenge. He read about dark rulers like Hitler. He shut himself off in his apartment to transform himself into a tyrant.

He also worked out more than three hours daily to transform himself  into a powerful warrior. After shooting was over he had to take psychiatric help to get back to normalcy.

(Ritesh is based in Mumbai and writes on sports and cinema. He tweets @riteshmisra and blogs @ thesportsmanwritesaway.wordpress.com)