There’s no doubt over the fact that Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani was one of the most touted historical period-drama films in Bollywood. Sanjay, who’s known to sense chemistry between artistes, felt an element of fire between Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh for the first time when they worked together in Ramleela. Post Ramleela, soon rumors started doing rounds of Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone dating each other and Bhansali was quick to capitalise on the situation and use their chemistry and dating rumors for his benefit and that was one of the biggest reasons why he chose to cast them for Bajirao Mastani.

But guys, did you all know that Ranveer and Deepika weren’t the initial choices for the movie? Yes, you heard it right and not just that, you will be even more surprised when we tell you who were the original choices for the movie. Well, it was none other than Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Bhansali could sense the riveting onscreen chemistry many years back with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan when he worked with them for the first time together in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Their stunning chemistry was loved by one and all and that was what made Bhansali pitch the idea of Bajirao Mastani to both Bhai and Aishwarya. In fact, grapevine has it that they both even agreed to do it.

But destiny had other plans and soon the couple had an ugly breakup that shattered Bhansali’s plans of casting them for the movie.

It took Bhansali more than 10 years to find an on-screen couple who would do justice to his characters of Bajirao and Mastani. But Ranveer and Deepika certainly did a great job and the critical acclaim and the box office results speak for themselves.

So guys, that was the real reason why Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan could not be cast for Bhansali’s dream project. Share your views and thoughts in the comments below and for more updates, stay tuned to IWMBuzz.com