SLB did not steal Karan Johar�۪s cast?

There were many rumours afloat earlier this year of Karan Johar signing Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone for his ambitious production, ��Shuddhi�۪.�� However, before the producer could finalise anything on that front, Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that his ��Ram Leela�۪ (2013) duo, Singh and Padukone, would also be starring in his upcoming dream project, ��Bajirao Mastaani�۪.�� This caused quite a stir and the grapevine has it that Johar is upset with Bhansali for signing the cast he wanted for ��Shuddhi�۪.�� Bhansali denies doing any such thing.

Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Bhansali says, ���I had spoken to them (Singh and Padukone) about ��Bajirao Mastani�۪ during the post-production of Ram-Leela. ��As far as I knew, Hrithik (Roshan) and Kareena (Kapoor Khan) were doing Shuddhi. ��I would never steal a friend’s actors. ��I had my cast in place, so I didn’t need anybody’s permission.�۝

It can be noted that while Johar and Bhansali have always seemed to share a love-hate relationship, they have maintained that they are friends.�� However, recently Johar went on record on a television chat show to say Bhansali is not his friend and accused Bhansali of dwelling in darkness and negativity.

Starring Singh and Padukone, alongside Priyanka Chopra, ��Bajirao Mastaani�۪ is slated to release during the Christmas 2015 period.�� On the other hand, ��Shuddhi�۪ will now star Salman Khan in the lead role and will release for Diwali 2016.

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