Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one such filmmaker, who is known for delivering nothing less than a magnum opus to the box-office. Over the past years, he has enthralled audiences with some of the most larger-than-life sets, and massive projects, that boast nothing less than a magical affair. Films like Devdas, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Gangubai Kathiawadi and the list goes endless, when we speak about Sanjay’s most promising films. Not just the scale of these films, it is also the filmmaker’s perfect choice of artists and actors for the same, that never falls back unsuccessfully.
In a recent interaction with Bollywood Hungama, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was asked to part his thoughts over the drastic changes he has witnessed, when it comes to the evolution of filmmaking and even acting process in the film industry so far. In his response, Sanjay agreed while the techniques as well as the cinema itself has changed, he also credited the experimentalist vision of new-age filmmakers, who are ready to take the challenge and go against the known tide. He said:
“I think the cinema has changed, techniques have changed. Now a director looks at cinema differently. The scriptwriters are writing differently and sketching varied and unusual roles. It is a great time for Indian cinema. Today, great films are being made, and wonderful work is being done.”
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Moving forth in the conversation, Sanjay Leela Bhansali then delved onto one of his own super-successful projects, Devdas, which was released in 2002. The filmmaker took pride in selecting the most exemplary cast for the film, comprising of Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan. Speaking about them, Sanjay remarked how the kind of work they have done for the film is absolutely irreplaceable by any new actor of the current generation. In his words:
“The sur (tone) and the note at which Devdas was being performed, it was high pitch and operatic… it was difficult to perform. In those days, directors demanded actors to be that way but today, they ask actors to underplay and be subtle which is also nice. What Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, and Kirron Kher did in Devdas, are notes and sur that today's actors may not be able to deliver because they were a little unreal and demanded a deeper understanding of the acting techniques which Shah Rukh handled with brilliance.”
In one of his interviews with PTI, Sanjay Leela Bhansali had spoken about the obsession he had to work with his Devdas star, Madhuri Dixit. The filmmaker was left totally in awe of the diva’s performance in the 2002 film, and wanted to work with her again in Khamoshi-The Musical and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Revealing how he used to waited for Madhuri Dixit for 2.5 years, Sanjay said:
“In my every film, right from Khamoshi, I wanted to direct Madhuri. I am obsessed with her. No other director is as obsessed as me about Madhuri. During Khamoshi, I waited for two-and-half years at her door, to ask her to read the script; but I couldn’t get through to her. So I made the film without her. During Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, I tried to rope in Madhuri, but it did not happen. Then I ensured that in Devdas, she was there.”
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In another interview with Galatta Plus, Sanjay Leela Bhansali revealed that one reason due to which many of the actors with whom he has worked with got upset from him. Explaining the reason he thinks is behind the same, the filmmaker explained that artists end up being offended with him, only when he stops repeating them in his films. Sanjay reflected how many artists often ask him why they aren’t repeated in his other projects, even though they have contributed immensely to the a film already.
What do you think about Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s revelations?
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