Bhansali’s Next ‘Baiju Bawra’ to Clash With Deepika’s Mahabharat

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone’s films will clash on Diwali 2021.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced his next period drama on Diwali. Titled Baiju Bawra, the film is expected to release on Diwali 2021 and will likely clash with Deepika Padukone’s adaptation of the Mahabharata, the first part of which is also scheduled for the same date.

While further details are awaited, it was earlier rumoured that Bhansali had approached both Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan to star in the remake of the 1952 classic Baiju Bawra. Directed by Vijay Bhatt, the original film starred Meena Kumari and followed the fictional story of dhrupad musician Baiju who famously challenged Akbar’s legendary court musician Tansen to a musical duel to avenge his father’s death.

The director also has another film, Gangubai Kathiawadi, scheduled to release on Diwali 2020. The film, which stars Alia Bhatt, is based on the life of one of the top madams of Mumbai’s red-light district Kamathipura. She had been sold into prostitution by her boyfriend and turned one of its biggest supporters. However, she harboured a soft corner for young women forced into the trade.

Bhansali was also set to collaborate with Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt on Inshallah, which was supposed to release on Eid 2020. However, the project has been shelved. While no official reason was issued, it has been suggested that there were irreconcilable creative differences between Salman and Bhansali. Salman reportedly wanted the director to change the second half, especially the end.