Here is a dummies guide to what Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming love saga is all about…

BajiRao Mastani has been Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s dream project since ages. The casting was the biggest reason for the project being delayed. From Shah Rukh Khan to Ajay Devgn and from Ranbir Kapoor to Salman Khan, everyone had been touted to play the titular role of Baji Rao. Similarly the female lead also kept swinging from Madhuri Dixit Nene to Rani Mukerji and from Kareena Kapoor Khan to Katrina Kaif. But finally giving all the speculations a rest SLB finally decided to go with the lead cast of his last 100 crore superhit film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela.

Now Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone will be playing the lead in the film. Also, SLB roped in his newest muse Priyanka Chopra to play another important role in the film ,which will be that of Baji Rao’s first wife, Kashibai. So we decided to give you a small brief about the real life story on which the movie is based.

Ranveer Singh: The Dil Dhadakne Do actor will play the lead role of Baji Rao Ballal Balaji Bhat commonly known as Baji Rao I. His other popular nicknames included Thorale (Marathi for Elder) Baji Rao or simply Rau. He was born on August 18, 1700 and lived till April 28, 1740. He was a noted general who served as Peshwa (Prime Minister) to the fourth Maratha Chhatrapati (Emperor) Chhatrapati Shahu Raje Bhonsle from 1720 until his death. Despite belonging to the (Chitpavan) Brahmin caste that had hitherto engaged primarily in priestly or administrative duties, Bajirao took up the charge of leading his troops. He is credited with expanding the Maratha Empire, especially in the north, which contributed to its reaching a zenith during his son’s reign twenty years after Baji Rao’s death. Baji Rao is acknowledged as the most influential of the nine Peshwas from the Bhat family. He was married first to Kashibai, with whom he had two sons, Nanasaheb and Raghunathrao. He also got married later to Mastani with whom he had another son Krishnarao aka Shamsher Bahadur.

Deepika Padukone: The Finding Fanny actor will be playing the other titular role of Mastani, the daughter of a Hindu Maharaja Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand province and his Persian-Muslim wife Ruhaani Bai who was a court dancer of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Mastani is often referred to as Baji Rao’s concubine or mistress. However, she was his lawfully wedded wife. Mastani was skilled in horse-riding, spear-throwing and swordsmanship and a talented dancer and singer. She accompanied Baji Rao on his military campaigns. Mastani and Baji Rao’s wife, Kashibai, bore sons to Baji Rao within a few months of each other. Mastani’s child was named Shamsher Bahadur. Baji Rao bestowed the Jagir of Banda on Shamsher. The son fought on the side of the Marathas in the third Battle of Panipat in 1761 against Ahmed Shah Abdali and is said to have been killed in the battle. Baji Rao’s love for his half-Muslim wife Mastani, and neglect of Kashibai angered many people. However, Baji Rao did a lot for her and made sure she got her due. However, many communities still decline that there was any Mastani at all in Baji Rao’s life.

Priyanka Chopra: The Mary Kom actor will be playing the role of Kashibai, who was the first wife of Baji Rao. Kashibai bore two sons from Baji Rao, Nanasaheb (later appointed Peshwa in 1740) and Raghunathrao. Kashibai was highly devoted to her husband. Baji Rao never gave her a second fiddle status after marrying Mastani and she too never had any malice against Mastani. But circumstances made differences grow between the two and got them so far apart that even Baji Rao couldn’t bring them together.