Sanjay Leela Bhansali is working for 19 hours every day on Padmavati

Film-maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been spending around 19 hours on the pre-production work of his next film, which is based on the life of Rani Padmavati.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced his next magnum opus, based on the life of Rani Padmavati, in May this year. Now, a source close to the film-maker says that he has been busy with the pre-production of the movie, and has been working for around 19 hours every day.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been spending around 19 hours on the pre-production work of his next film, which is based on the life of Rani Padmavati. (Yogen Shah)

“Bhansali is a hard taskmaster. He is researching with historians to get the details on the life of Alauddin Khilji (the second ruler of the Khilji dynasty), and his obsession for Rani Padmavati (the queen of Mewar),” says the source, adding, “Bhansali starts his day at 7am, and works till past midnight. He has been sitting for the music recordings, and working on the film’s sets and costume designs with his team. One song for the movie has already been recorded. It has been sung by Shreya Ghoshal.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next, Padmavati, is rumoured to go on the floors by September.

Read: I can never get bored of winning National Award: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Apparently the movie is likely to go on the floors by September. If rumours are to be believed, Bhansali Bhansali will cast his hit pair from Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013) -- Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh -- for the movie. However, an official confirmation on the film’s cast is yet to be made.

We tried contacting Bhansali, but he couldn’t be reached for a comment.

Read: It’s confirmed! Deepika Padukone to star in Bhansali’s Padmavati