Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the director whose credits include Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Devdas (2002), Black (2005), Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ramleela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018), is reportedly considering roping in Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan to headline his next directorial venture.
If Bhansali manages to cast both the actors in his next film, it will surely be one of the biggest casting coups of Bollywood in recent times. Both Khans have previously appeared together in many films, but they have never played parallel leads in any of them except for their 1995 reincarnation drama Karan Arjun. But looks like that SLB has decided to do the impossible.
“Salman and Shah Rukh will be reuniting onscreen for a two-hero film that will be directed by Bhansali. A family drama about friend-turned-foes, the film will be along the lines of the Dilip Kumar-Raj Kumar starrer Saudagar (1991) and will see them share equal footage. The superstars have always been keen on doing a movie together and Bhansali’s film seemed to be the perfect opportunity. They have agreed to it in principle, but Bhansali might take as long as nine months to complete the final draft. If everything goes according to plan, the project may roll mid-next year,” a well-placed source reveals to a popular tabloid.
However, a source close to Bhansali has something different to say. “He hasn’t started casting yet. He will approach stars only after he finalises his script,” informs the source.
We don’t know exactly when we will get to see Salman and Shah Rukh together in full-fledged roles, but we are definitely waiting for the latter’s upcoming film Zero where Dabangg Khan will be seen in a special appearance. Zero, helmed by Aanand L Rai, releases on 21st December.