Deepika Padukone : Sanjay Leela Bhansali's most favorite muse

   Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known to function a bit differently when it comes to choosing his cast. He looks for beautiful, raw, talented women in which he find his main character. He empowers them with his magnificent direction and puts them out to the world. 

   Aishwariya Rai's eyes, innocence and ability to deliver emotions, got Mr. Sanjay Bhansali to cast her over and over again. His recent find is much loved Deepika Padukone today. 

Here's how she was cast in Ram-Leela ( Excerpt) : 

Deepika first met the film-maker for Sawaariya, at a time when she had to chose between Om Shant Om and Sawaariya as her big debut film. As Sonam Kapoor was already casted with Ranbir Kapoor in the lead, Deepika went on to do Om Shanti Om. Her stars were surely lucky as it proved to be a mgea hit, surpassing the success of Sawaariya. 

Co-incidentally she bagged Bajirao Mastani as well: 

Kareena Kapoor was to play SLB's Mastani. The set was mounted, but Kareena's exit came as a shock to the maker just 10 days before shoot. He hurriedly cast Deepika for it and when he met her for the narration, she was down with fever, her moist eyes got Bhansali to say, "What is this girl all about"

Some more appreciation: 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali compared Deepika with yesteryear Madhubala's raw beauty. His love for Deepika has strengthened after they collaborated for Bajirao Mastani and he feels no one else could have delivered the character as she did. The team is re-uniting for Padmavati once again. 

This association is indeed a cinematic joy, raising the standards of period films. Almost like an ode to the historic gems of Indian Cinema.