In a recent conversation, Sanjay Leela Bhansali spoke about striking a delicate balance between commerce and art.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is known for directing great films and creating lavish sets, recently spoke about finding the delicate balance between commerce and art. Describing himself as the “most impractical, self-destructive filmmaker”, Bhansali revealed how a lead actor once criticised him for spending Rs 50 crore on Devdas. He also revealed that after the failure of Saawariya, many actors were hesitant to work with him.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Bhansali said, “While shooting for Devdas in 2001, a big actor came up to me and said, ‘You are spending the producer’s Rs 50 crore on a character who dies under a tree and calls out Paro’s name.’ That didn’t matter to me; I didn’t understand economics. All I knew was what the moment required. I never thought about the budgets and potential earnings of my films.” He further added, “I never sold myself. I never directed commercials. I never felt that was the right fit for me.”
Reflecting on the circumstances following the failure of Saawariya, Bhansali said, “People claimed I was finished, no actor wanted to work with me. They thought I was finished, but I knew I wasn’t going anywhere—I had one more film, and then one more. During Padmaavat, I faced many kinds of attacks—physical, mental, emotional—but I never let it affect me on screen. I am made of iron and steel; I am not going to bow down. Do whatever you want.”
Bhansali also spoke about continuing to shoot Padmavati in Rajasthan even after facing attacks. He said, “After we were attacked, people asked me, ‘Where will you put the camera tomorrow?’ I replied, ‘Should we go to that place?’ They told me ‘Have you gone mad? You were just insulted.’ But I believe every artist has to face insults. If you don’t get angry about right and wrong, you lack true expression.”
In January 2017, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was attacked by protesters while shooting Padmavati at the Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Members of the Rajput Karni Sena alleged that his film misrepresented history and distorted facts, even though it was based on a piece of literature. Despite the delay, Padmaavat finally released in January 2018, grossing just under Rs 600 crore at the box office.
