Bhansali didn't want 'married Kareena' to play Leela

MADIHA AZHAR

KARACHI: While Kareena Kapoor has claimed it was she that made the decision to abandon Sanjay Leela Bahnsali’s project “Ram Leela”, on compensation-related matters, sources close to the Filmmaker tell a different story.

According to media sources, it was actually the filmmaker who showed the actress the door, as he didn’t want a “married woman” to play his desi Juliet, Leela.

Bhansali said, “It would be difficult for Kareena to pass herself as Juliet once she is married.”

Source says, “A Juliet no matter how far removed from Shakespeare's original vision of her cannot be a married woman. With images of Kapoor wedding festivities flashing all over, it would be impossible for Kareena to pass herself as a Gujju Juliet despite her great talent.”

This is the fourth time Bhansali and Kapoor were so close to sealing a deal. He had earlier offered her leading roles in Devdas, Hum Dil De Chauke Sanam, and Bajirao Mastani.