Mumbai (Maharashtra): Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, who made his debut under Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s direction in the 2007 film Saawariya, is reportedly set to reunite with the acclaimed filmmaker for the long-awaited project Baiju Bawra. According to reports, Kapoor will now lead the film, replacing Ranveer Singh, who was initially considered for the role.

Pre-production underway

As per a report by Deccan Chronicle, Bhansali’s team has already begun pre-production work on Baiju Bawra, which is expected to go on floors next year. Ranbir Kapoor, a known admirer of vintage music, has reportedly been immersing himself in classics from the 1950s, including songs from the original 1952 version of Baiju Bawra. Kapoor has even introduced his daughter Raha to this timeless music, indicating his dedication to understanding the film’s musical legacy.

Ranveer Singh was originally considered

The film was initially planned with Ranveer Singh in the lead, and reports suggested he had begun preparing for the role. However, Bhansali later decided to prioritise his ongoing project Love & War, which also stars Ranbir Kapoor. Over the years, speculation around the casting continued, with rumours suggesting Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt as leads. No official announcement about the final cast was made until now.

Ranbir Kapoor’s busy work schedule

Apart from Baiju Bawra, Ranbir Kapoor is preparing for his role in Love & War, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The actor is also working on Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, where he will portray Lord Ram, alongside Yash as Raavan and Sai Pallavi as Sita.

In addition, Kapoor has committed to Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s sequel to the 2023 hit Animal. Speaking in a recent Instagram Live session, he shared, “Animal Park should start in 2027. Sandeep has been interacting with me on the idea, the music and the characters, and it’s just crazy, and I can’t wait to be on set.”

Rekindling the Bhansali-Kapoor partnership

This marks another collaboration between Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, over a decade after Saawariya. With Kapoor’s affinity for vintage music and Bhansali’s reputation for grand cinematic spectacles, expectations around Baiju Bawra are already high. Fans are eager to see how the actor brings the musical drama to life in this modern retelling of a classic story.