Sanjay Leela Bhansali has announced he’s directing a biopic on Baiju Bawra, a legendary musician from Mughal times. The film, which is rumoured to star Ranveer Singh, will feature Alia Bhatt as the female lead, reports claim. The musical is inspired by the 1952 Hindi film Baiju Bawra, starring Bharat Bhusan as the titular lead and Meena Kumari as his love interest Gauri. 

Ranveer and Alia had recently worked together in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy. Their pairing as an aspiring rapper and his supportive girlfriend was widely liked. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is presently directing Gangubai Kathaiwadi, with Alia in the lead. The film is a biopic of Gangubai, a brothel owner and matriarch who ruled the Mumbai underworld in the ‘60s. Alia was also expected to star in Inshallah. The romantic drama was shelved last year due to creative differences between Sanjay and Salman Khan. 

Ranveer has previously collaborated with Sanjay on Ram Leela, Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. The actor’s upcoming releases are 83 and Jayeshbhai Jordaar. He also has an extended cameo in Sooryavanshi.