Exclusive: Priyanka, Deepika to star in different films on characters from same book?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Vishal Bharadwaj share a lot in common. They are both considered path-breaking filmmakers with a striking visual vibrancy to their works. Interestingly, they both compose music as well as direct films. And now, the filmmakers seem to be inspired by the same book on women gangsters. Both the filmmakers have secured filmmaking rights on chapters out of S. Hussain Zaidi’s bestseller Mafia Queens of Mumbai.

Vishal Bhardwaj will be directing a film based on Zaidi’s account of Ashraf Khan, alias Sapna, whose only mission in life was to eliminate her husband’s killer, Dawood. On the other hand, Sanjay would be producing a film based on the life and crimes of gangster Gangubai Kothewali, the dreaded crime lord known as ‘The Madame Of Kamathipura’.

A source informs, “Sanjay is as fascinated by Gangubai’s life as Vishal is by Ashraf Khan. The principal casting is crucial. Both the directors have other projects before taking on Zaidi’s women gangsters’ stories. Vishal has locked in Sanjay’s current favourite Deepika Padukone while Sanjay may sign Priyanka Chopra to play Gangubai.”

Interestingly, many years ago, Vishal had gone to Sanjay with a script on reincarnation, which he wanted Sanjay to direct. Although that film never happened, their work destinies seem to have gotten entwined.