Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one of the most prominent directors in the Hindi film industry. He is known for making films with grand sets, popular actors, and utmost precision. His grand spectacles have often managed to impress the fans and critics alike. However, his journey to popularity wasn't easy, and he took one step at a time to reach this stature. In an old interview, filmmaker, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in the initial phase of the latter's career, revealed how he has changed over time.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali began his journey in Bollywood by assisting Vidhu Vinod Chopra. He worked with him on the film, Parinda in 1989. He was also the assistant director and writer in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's directorial, 1942: A Love Story. Following it, Vidhu Vinod Chopra wanted Sanjay Leela Bhansali to direct his film, Kareeb. However, the Devdas filmmaker refused and the duo had a fallout over it. Now, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has become one of the best directors in the industry.
In an old interview with Bollywood Hungama, Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalled that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has changed. He continued that when Bhansali was new in the industry, he was too scared to talk with someone, but now he yells a lot. However, the filmmaker added that Bhansali's talent was always evident. He was quoted as saying:
“Sanjay Bhansali, ab toh woh Sanjay Leela Bhansali hogaya hai. Woh mera assistant tha. MTV mein kuch award milne they 1942 ko direction ke liye, maine usko bola jaa le. Ab toh zor se chillata hai, tab toh ghabrate ghabrate award lene gaya tha.”
Vidhu Chopra continued by saying that Sanjay Leela Bhansali was too scared to even talk to actors like Madhuri Dixit and call her on-set when they were late for the shoot. However, he feels pride when watching the Bajirao Mastani filmmaker's work. He accepted that one must have humility to spot talent like he did back then. In his words:
"He was a very different guy, but I knew that he was talented. And I'm so happy when I see his cinema; I say, 'Wow, he did it'. How do you spot talent? You have to be honest with yourself. Inside me, there must be some humility that I see talent greater than myself."
On the work front, Sanjay Leela Bhansali last directed his debut web series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, starring Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, and Manisha Koirala, among others. It received mixed reviews and has been renewed for another season. The filmmaker will next direct, Love and War starring Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Alia Bhatt. It is scheduled for release on Christmas 2025.
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What do you think about Vidhu Vinod Chopra's revelations?
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