Deepika-Ranveer are Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Mastani-Bajirao

It’s final. Deepika Padukone would play the fiery female warrior Mastani. With Ranveer Singh playing Bajirao, SLB’s Ram-Leela jodi is back in place. The casting of Ranveer and Deepika puts an end to months of speculation about who would play the role. Besides Ranveer, Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn were the strongest contenders for Bajirao’s roles. As for Mastani, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif were the strongest contenders . Says a source, “SLB was keen on Deepika for Mastani’s part. But she couldn’t seem to accommodate the long schedules required for Bajirao Mastani, especially since she gave the nod to Karan Johar’s Shuddhi which would take up close to 150 shooting days.” Apparently SLB had all but finalized Katrina earlier this week when Deepika informed the director that she would be able to fit Bajirao Mastani into her schedule. Thus falls the curtain on one of the most passionately speculated casting process in recent times. With Priyanka Chopra being roped in to play the role of Bajirao’s wife it is the Ram-Leela Team all over again for Sanjay Leela Bhansali.