Shahid Kapoor to play Deepika’s husband?

Shahid Kapoor, who had declared he was jobless after Rangoon, has just signed his next project — Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati opposite Deepika Padukone (in the title role). While Shahid has been in this industry for more than a decade and worked with some of the top actresses, he has never been paired with Deepika. Shahid will be seen playing Deepika’s husband Raja Rawal Ratan Singh in Padmavati, a period drama based on Rani of Chittor. 

A source says, “It will be a fresh pairing for Bhansali. Initially, Sajid Nadiadwala was keen to cast them in Heer And Ranjha, but the film got shelved. Bhansali has been in talks with Shahid for some time. Initially, Shahid was not too convinced as Ratan Singh’s character. Shahid agreed to come on board once Bhansali worked out a stronger character for him and gave him a huge fee hike too. The film will require 200 days from Shahid. He gave the nod last week. Currently, he is growing his beard and hair for his look in the film.” 

Fawad Khan had also been approached for the period drama, but there were date issues. He couldn’t give SLB 200 days at a stretch and that too immediately as they will start shooting from September. “Besides bagging a three-film deal with Karan Johar’s production house, Fawad is all set to sign Salman Khan Films and BR Films next, directed by Nitin Kakkar (of Filmistaan fame). says a industrywalla, “Fawad is playing the main lead in films made by two top production houses, so why would he play second fiddle to Ranveer Singh in Padmavati?”