SLB had offered roles to both Ankita Lokhande and Sushant for Bajirao Mastani

In his statement to the Police regarding Sushant Singh Rajput case, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had denied dropping the late actor from his films. 

Instead, he revealed that he had offered Rajput ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram-Leela’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and ‘Padmaavat’.

Since Sushant was working under YRF Films on Shekhar Kapoor’s Paani, he had backed out of the projects due to unavailability of dates. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali had offered the lead role of Bajirao Mastani to Sushant, which eventually ended by being essayed by Ranveer Singh. And even Sushant’s then-girlfriend Ankita Lokhande was offered an item song in Bajiro Mastani!

As per reports from Bollywood Hungama, this elaborate lavni song-and-dance was offered to her after Sushant had refused Bajirao Mastani. It was supposed to feature prominently in the film. 

A source close to the project said, “This was after Sushant said no to Bajirao Mastani. Mr Bhansali planned an elaborate lavni song-and-dance with Ankita Lokhande which was to come on prominently in the film. Mr Bhansali planned to give Anikta’s number prominence in spite of Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone in the cast.”

However, when Ankita turned down the item song, SLB dropped the song from Bajirao Mastani instead of offering it to another actress. Reportedly, SLB wanted Ankita for a three-film deal which she refused.

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