Deepika Padukone
Deepika PadukoneVarinder Chawla

Deepika Padukone has reportedly been signed for Salman Khan starrer family drama "Bade Bhaiya".

Finally, director Sooraj Barjatya's has found the female lead for "Bade Bhaiya" in the talented Deepika. As per Daily News Analysis, Deepika has been finalised since the role demanded a demure Indian beauty and the makers thought the actress fit the bill perfectly. Her rising popularity and acting prowess added as bonus.

Intially, Ileana D'Cruz and Parineeti Chopra were considered for the part but Deepika beat the actresses to score the major league film.

If all goes well, this will be the first time Salman will be paired opposite Deepika, who is currently on a hit streak with back-to-back blockbusters.

Salman had previously expressed a desire of working with the actress in 'Kick' but ultimately Jacqueline Fernandez was roped in for the part. Not many know that it was Salman, and not Shah Rukh Khan, who recommended Deepika to Bollywood.

The actress had also revealed in a previous interview that she shares a comfortable equation with the superstar and exchanges messages and calls. "Whichever film I do with Salman will be a special one," she stressed.

However, there has been no confirmation from the actress' part yet, about signing the Barjatya film.

In recent developments, the "Cocktail" actress' proximity with Shah Rukh, post "Chennai Express" success, has not gone unnoticed. Adding fuel to the fire, Deepika was absent from the promotion of her latest film "Ram-leela' in Salman's show "Bigg Boss 7". Only male lead Ranveer Singh made an appearance in the show and talked about the film.

With the rapidly changing equations of the industry, it remains to be seen what becomes of the eagerly anticipated Barjatya film. The film will mark a reunion of the hit Salman-Barjatiya pair. The duo has delivered classic hits, like "Maine Pyaar Kiya", "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun" and "Hum Saath Saath Hain."