Ranveer Singh plays Baiju Bawra in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's version of the musical saga, earlier filmed by Vijay Bhatt, Vikram Bhatt's grandfather.
There were reports that Ranbir Kapoor had said no to the project, but sources close to the director seemed amused by that.
"Ranbir has never been offered Baiju Bawra, so where is the question of saying no to it?" a source asks Subhash K Jha.
"The only time Ranbir turned down a role in a Bhansali film was when he was offered Guzaarish. It was eventually played by Aditya Roy Kapoor. Ranbir had a valid reason for turning it down. He told Bhansali, 'How can I play a supporting role to Hrithik Roshan? It will typecast me as supporting actor.' And that was that."
About the casting of Baiju Bawra, the source close to Bhansali productions says, "Ranveer Singh was being seriously considered for the part. Bhansali's focus was on the casting of Heera Mandi, but since the erroneous information on the male casting of Baiju Bawra was leaked out, he decided to announce Ranveer Singh in the ambitious grand musical's title role."
