Pinto vs Padmavati for Sanjay Leela Bhansali

According to the latest gossip doing the rounds in B-Town, film-maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to make an historical epic on the life of Rani Padmavati, the Rajput queen, with actor Kareena Kapoor playing the lead and has reportedly even stuck a multi-crore deal with a leading corporate house. However sources close to the film-maker insist that these rumours are completely untrue.

“Forget starting the film, Bhansali has not even zeroed in on a subject and is yet to begin work on the script of his next film,” clarifies a source, insisting that Bhansali for the moment is keen to first release the Prateik-starrer My Friend Pinto.

“It is only after the release of Prateik’s film that’s being directed by Raghav Dar, that Bhansali will contemplate starting his own film. As of now, he’s only focusing all his energies on the post production and promotional campaign of My Friend Pinto, which is his first big production venture.”

However, the source does admit that Sanjay is keen on working with Kapoor. “Bhansali feels that Kareena is a powerhouse of talent. He wants to cast her in a role that will show her in a different light completely. And a story like that of Padmavati would definitely interest him too, but he’s yet to lock it,” said the source.

And another source adds that Bhansali has not even started writing his directorial venture. “Pinto is his pet project for the moment and he’s leaving no stone unturned for it. He’s hoping that both Prateik and Pinto will be the surprise package of the year,” concludes the source.