When Kareena vowed never to work with SLB after being rejected as Paro in Devdas

It was on this day, July 12, 21 years back that Devdas was released. The film proved to be one of the biggest hits of 2002 and the casting, apart from the grand sets, was the main talking point. To bring together three stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai was no easy feat and probably only Sanjay Leela Bhansali could do it. The team of the film was also invited at Cannes 2002. But, did you know that Kareena Kapoor was very keen to play Paro? In fact, she had even given a screen test. However, Bhansali chose Aishwarya over her and it paved the way for a tiff. Kapoor had even gone so far as to say that she would never forgive Bhansali.

WHEN KAREENA KAPOOR SAID SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI ‘HURT’ HER

In an interview with Filmfare back in 2002, Kareena Kapoor revealed that she wanted to play Paro and had even given a screen test. She had claimed, “Sanjay tested me for Devdas, gave me a signing amount and then took someone else. That was wrong. It hurt especially since I was at the start of my career. But it's okay, because the day he dropped me I signed Subhashji's (Ghai) Yaadein. Sanjay hurt me. Even if I have no work. I'll never work with him.”

SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI’S REACTION TO KAREENA

Sanjay Leela Bhansali had reacted to Kareena claims. Talking to Filmfare in July 2002, he had revealed that it was Kareena who came to his house with designer Neeta Lulla. He said, “She also told me Dil De Chuke Sanam several times. That's when I told her that I hadn't seen her work and that before casting her. I needed to see what she was capable of. We fixed up a photo-shoot with the right costumes. Since Babitaji and Karisma Kapoor were also at the shoot, I made it clear to all of them that the shoot wasn't a confirmation that I would cast Kareena. They were okay with that at the time.”

He added, “After going through the photographs, I told Kareena that I felt Aishwarya Rai was fabulous and perfect for Paro; she has the aristocratic looks I required. Kareena didn't say a word then but some days later I found her lashing out at me in print. She accused me of backing out after having given her the signing amount and contract. Believe me, this is not true.”

SLB did not mince any words. Referring to her interviews, he further said, “She also said I didn't know how to make films. Kareena is a fabulous girl who's doing very well in life. However, I'd like to inform her that I do know how to make films. She has tried to tell me that she was misquoted but I'd like her to know that I've heard those tapes. Recently, we met at Sikander Kher's birthday party. I told her that if I have a suitable role for her. I'll cast her. Till then, I'll brush up on film-making.”

WHEN SLB CHOSE KAREENA TO PLAY LEELA IN RAM LEELA

The tiff had ended, and Bhansali had even cast Kareena to play Leela in Goliyon Ki Ras Leela...Ram Leela. Her look as Leela was also out. However, it was the actress who backed out. She told TOI, “I walked out a week ago. I had allotted 100 I days for the shooting in August as per contract but Mr Bhansali wanted more days to shoot. My managers Reshma Shetty and Zahid Khan thought about it and decided it wasn't possible as I have signed three new big films for next year. The shooting for one of them begins in October immediately after the release of Heroine. I've also given 32 days of promotional time for Heroine as it's a very special film for me. That wouldn't have been possible if I had given those dates to Ram Leela.”

This left the director distressed. Bhansali spoke about the incident in an interview to Hindustan Times and said, "The set was made already, and it was shocking - her exit 10 days before shooting.”

So, would we ever see Kareena Kapoor and Bhansali work together? We can only keep our fingers crossed!