(Image source from: Deepika Padukone ditches Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Karan Johar})

While speculations remain abuzz over the casting of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming opus "Bajirao Mastani", one thing we know for sure is that Deepika isn't a part of the race anymore.

Sources reveal that Deepika won't be able to play Mastani in Bhansali's 'Bajirao Mastani' as she has allotted her dates to Karan Johar's 'Shuddhi'.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, post the magnanimous success of "Goliyon Ki Rasleela - Ramleela" was inclined to team up with Deepika again. Even a look test was done. However, the actress bailed out of the offer in the eleventh hour citing date issues. So has Deepika switched her loyalty to KJo instead?

In the meanwhile, a little birdie tells us that Kareena Kapoor Khan has been roped in to play Mastani now, opposite Bajirao Ajay Devgn. However, Bhansali's office remain tight-lipped on the casting, yet.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury