Director and screenwriter Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his historically aesthetic and big-budget films that have always become huge hits amongst the crowd.
Sushant Singh Rajput, a dearly loved Bollywood actor died by suicide on the 14th of June, 2020. Sanjay Leela Bhansali was called into questioning at the Bandra and Santacruz police stations this Monday where he was questioned by an investigating team as well as DCP Abhishek Trimukhe.
Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat are three of Bhansali’s films that have gained extreme fame with the audience. Apparently Bhansali mentioned to the police during his interrogation about Sushant’s death that he had actually offered these three films to the late actor.
In fact, reports state that Sanjay had not offered just three but four films to Sushant Singh Rajput, who had to decline them all.
Three of these films were then passed on to other actors within the industry. Ranveer Singh took over as Ram in the blockbuster hit Ram Leela, Shahid Kapoor was cast in the movie Padmaavat as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh went on to play Bajirao in the superhit Bajirao Mastani. The fourth film apparently did not work out.
The role of Maharawal Ratan Singh in the movie Padmaavat was initially offered to Sushant Singh Rajput but then was given to Shahid Kapoor after Rajput declined the offer. Padmaavat was a ₹215 crore budget film that made ₹585 crores at the box office. It is also one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.
According to Bhansali’s statement, Rajput was unable to work with the director at all. A senior police officer who is linked to the case mentioned, “During questioning, it came to light that Rajput was not able to work with Bhansali as his dates were not available.”
Sushant was apparently already under a three-film contract with Yash Raj Films which is why he had to reject Bhansali’s offer. The three films that he was working for were Shuddh Desi Romance, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy and Paani (which was later suspended).
Source: The Economic Times