INTERESTING: You'll Not Believe How Desperately Salman Khan Wanted Katrina Kaif To Be His Mastani

Bajirao Mastani has been in news since its inception. We all know that Salman Khan was the first choice to play the role of Bajirao but you will be surprised to read that he desperately wanted Katrina Kaif to be Mastani.

Everyone knows that Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to make Bajirao Mastani with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, but after their break up it became impossible. But not many people know that, Salman personally took Katrina to Sanjay's home and said to the director that he wants Katrina to be his Mastani.

BEING INHUMANE? This Is What Salman Khan Did With Alia Bhatt At The Big Star Entertainment Awards

Veteran journalist Subhash K Jha wrote a very interesting article for Firstpost about Bajirao Mastani. According to him, ''After the Aishwarya-Salman pair became un-achievable, Salman wanted Bhansali to cast Katrina Kaif as Mastani. In fact, Salman personally took Katrina to SLB's home and introduced her to the director saying, 'This is your Mastani.' But, some things are not meant to be. We may be able to imagine Katrina on a horse, but can we imagine her speaking those chaste Hindi-Urdu lines?''

Subhash K Jha further revealed, ''In 2003, Bhansali decided to make Bajirao Mastani with Salman and Kareena Kapoor. Salman recommended Bhumika Chawla as Bajirao's first wife. Sanjay Leela Bhansali did a screen test of Bhumika where, lamentably, her saree caught fire with the diya. No damage was done, but that ended Chawla's audition. Bhansali revived the project 12 years later. His choice this time for Bajirao was Ajay Devgn, because of the Maharashtrian backdrop. But Devgn asked for a fee that, according to insiders, was staggering.''

Bajirao Mastani is slated to release on 18th December and it stars Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles.

Salman Khan Katrina Kaif

When Salman Khan was dating Katrina Kaif, he wanted her to play his Mastani in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani.

(In Pic-Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif on the sets of Ek Tha Tiger)

Bajirao Mastani

Sanjay Leela Bhansali thought of making Bajirao Mastani even before Khamoshi-The Musical. Later, He thought of making it after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan.

(In Pic-Salman and Katrina)

Salman-Aish

After the success of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to cast Salman Khan as Bajirao and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Mastani in Bajirao Mastani.

(In Pic-ETT promotions)

Ranveer-Deepika

After seeing Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's hot chemistry on-screen and off-screen, Sanjay Leela Bhansali decided to make Bajirao Mastani with them.

(In Pic-Salman and Katrina on a TV show)

Priyanka Chopra

Bajirao Mastani also stars Priyanka Chopra in the role of Kashibai. She is playing Ranveer Singh's wife in the movie. Bajirao Mastani will hit the screens on December 18th.

(In Pic-Katrina Kaif with Salman Khan)