Deepika out of ‘Baiju Bawra’ for demanding equal pay as Ranveer

Actress Deepika Padukone has reportedly been removed from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Baiju Bawra’ for demanding equal remuneration as her co-star Ranveer Singh, who is playing the titular role in the musical drama.

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Deepika is no longer a part of Bhansali’s ambitious project.

The report states that Deepika had demanded equal pay as Singh. However, Bhansali turned down the request.

A source cited by Bollywood Hungama said, “Apparently, Deepika wants the same remuneration as her husband. Not a penny more, not a penny less. A champion for pay parity among actors and actresses, Deepika has been demanding and getting as much her leading men in her recent films. But, this time in ‘Baiju Bawra’, Bhansali has regretfully turned down her request for pay parity”.

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bansali has worked with Deepika and Ranveer in three hit films titled, ‘Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela’, ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and ‘Padmaavat’.

‘Baiju Bawra’ is a remake of 1952 film of the same name, starring Bharat Bhushan and Meena Kumari. The film depicts the story of a young musician who challenged musical maestro Tansen in Mughal ruler Akbar’s court.

Apart from ‘Baju Bawra’, Deepika has an impressive line-up of projects in the pipeline including ‘Fighter’, ‘83’, ‘Sanki’, ‘Pathan’, and Indian adaptation of Nancy Meyers’s 2015 hit Hollywood film ‘The Intern’.

Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh will also be seen in movies like ‘83’, ‘Sooryavanshi’, ‘Jayeshbhai Jordaar’, ‘Cirkus’ and the Hindi remake of blockbuster hit ‘Anniyan’.