Sanjay Lela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ was all over the news lately for its casting as the process is in a state of flux as for now. From several weeks, the name who will play the role of Deepika Padukone’s husband, Raja Rawal Ratan Singh is not being finalized, everyday a new name is heard but no confirmation is there for it.
Last week, it was reported that Shah Rukh Khan might be essaying the role but the actor proposed some conditions like the change of title and suggested one as he wanted to take the limelight away from the female lead and be about a male lead. Padmavati is a dream project for SLB, which he thought in 2008.
But all the demands were declined by the director; he decided to sign Shahid Kapoor for the role who asked a meaty screen space as the second lead, script change and a high fee of 9-10 crores. But the actual reason behind the walk out of Shah Rukh Khan from SLB’s Padmavati is out.
It is not for the title change that made the actor to leave the project, but for the fees that he asked for the role. He doubled the fees, that broke threshold of the project’s budget.
As it is said that Shah Rukh, who is busy with a number of projects doubled his fee to reject the role. Now he is one of the highest paid actors and his demand was too huge for the film and so that didn’t happen. Apparently, SRK was getting about Rs. 40-45 crore for the film and the amount he asked for around 80-90 crores.
Sanjay’s spokesperson has dismissed reports of increase in cast remuneration, saying there’s no truth to them.
