'I Am Only...': How Priyanka Chopra Reacted On Being Replaced By Deepika Padukone In Ram Leela

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela became a massive box office success, with Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in the lead roles.

Priyanka Chopra was replaced by Deepika Padukone in Ram Leela.

Source : IMDb

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela became a massive box office success, with Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in the lead roles. While the film was widely praised, another highlight was Priyanka Chopra’s mesmerising dance number. However, what many might not know is that Priyanka was initially considered for the lead role before Deepika stepped in.

When Priyanka Chopra got replaced by Deepika in Ram Leela

In a conversation with Lehren Retro, Priyanka’s mother, Madhu Chopra, revealed details about the casting switch. She recalled, “I don’t remember much from that time. I just know that she went to his office next door when I was with my patients in my clinic. When she came back, she said that I am only doing a song in Ram Leela. I asked her, ‘What happened?’ She said, ‘I think that’s better.’”

Madhu further stated that Priyanka’s decision was likely well thought out and based on discussions with Bhansali. “She might have taken a well-thought decision. They might have had some lovely discussions that she agreed for something like this because they are still friends.”

Why Priyanka chose to do Mary Kom

Following Ram-Leela, Bhansali offered Priyanka the lead in Mary Kom, though he was initially hesitant about casting her. However, Priyanka took on the role with dedication.

Addressing Priyanka’s approach to her career, Madhu clarified, “She doesn’t keep that revenge attitude. She did the film because Sanjay asked her to. Omung (director, Kumar) was the director, and she stayed with Mary Kom for a while to see everything.”

 

Madhu also discussed Priyanka’s role as Kashibai in Bajirao Mastani, describing it as a challenging performance due to the intense close-up shots that required detailed expressions.

“Kashibai was very hard because there were tight shots, and it was all on the face. The expressions were everything… Sanjay is not an easy director, and to keep him pleased in the sense that he is satisfied with the performance… that was the target. That was something she was very focused on. There were no distractions; she would not even talk inside her van during that time.”

On the work front, Priyanka Chopra has completed filming for her upcoming action-thriller The Bluff, co-starring Karl Urban. She is also set to appear alongside John Cena and Idris Elba in the American action-comedy Heads of State.