Posted:
KJo, Sonam need to learn to have restraint: Bhansali
Sarita Tanwar, TNN | Apr 25, 2011, 12.00am ISTThe filmmaker, in a hard-hitting interview, takes on everyone - from Sonam Kapoor to Ajay Devgn
Sanjay Leela Bhansali vanished after Guzaarish. The director will soon be on your TV screens as a judge on a reality dance show. Now that he has emerged from hiding, he is open to being grilled. He promised to be honest, and true to his word, he did not mince words. He cleared the air on friends, foes and his films (last and forthcoming) Read on for excerpts...
Are you going to be a mean judge on tv?
No. I don't believe in running down people. I will say what I have to, without destroying the dancers. The range is from 16 to 60. It's pure joy to see some people who've never had the chance to live their dream, come on stage and let loose.
Do you watch Koffee With Karan?
No.
In one episode Karan asked Sonam what she would do if she woke up one morning and realised she'd become you. She said, "Get colour in my life ' apart from Blue and Black. Any comment?
Sanjay Leela Bhansali vanished after Guzaarish. The director will soon be on your TV screens as a judge on a reality dance show. Now that he has emerged from hiding, he is open to being grilled. He promised to be honest, and true to his word, he did not mince words. He cleared the air on friends, foes and his films (last and forthcoming) Read on for excerpts...
Are you going to be a mean judge on tv?
No. I don't believe in running down people. I will say what I have to, without destroying the dancers. The range is from 16 to 60. It's pure joy to see some people who've never had the chance to live their dream, come on stage and let loose.
Do you watch Koffee With Karan?
No.
In one episode Karan asked Sonam what she would do if she woke up one morning and realised she'd become you. She said, "Get colour in my life ' apart from Blue and Black. Any comment?
I don't think any filmmaker in India would even think of using the colours I do. Saawariya is a work of art and if Karan can't understand that then that is his problem. It's something I cannot worry about. If he is just going to reduce Saawariya to just a blue film then it's just childish. I don't know why he asks people about me.
Whenever he meets me, he is very kind, cordial and respectful about my work. I don't know why Sonam answered the question too. She should also understand that she is talking about someone who has made her what she is. I expect a little more restraint from her. We always want to laugh and see the lighter side of our films, but I would want Sonam to always remember that Saawariya will remain her most important work. She will never look so beautiful ever again. No director is going to work so hard on her. Both Karan and Sonam need to learn to have restraint, dignity, and respect for fellow filmmakers.
I am sensing some anger against Karan.
Karan has always been a friend. He is a good boy, but I feel post Saawariya something has gone wrong in his mind. We have not fought or something, but I feel there is a feeling in his mind. If there is, he should express it to me. I need to understand if it is something I have done, or said. Even if I meet him today, I would meet him with love because he is one director I am very fond of. We would exchange ideas and meet often... It was a wonderful relationship. I don't know where or why it went wrong. There was a lot of mess between SRK and me during that time as our films were releasing together. And some people as their friends took sides. But right now SRK, Farah and I have no problems. We are friendly today, and I don't care about the past.
Your friendship with Rani soured after she used the title of your sister's film for her own film. You felt betrayed...
n Yes, I was upset with the title going because I had kept the title Hadippa for Bela's film. Rani wanted it, but I said it was not possible. So they simply added two words Dil Bole in front of Hadippa and used it. I thought that was not done. But that does not mean I am upset with Rani or Adi (Aditya Chopra) or anybody else. It's done. It's gone. I have forgotten about it. Rani is a very, very dear friend. We still have long conversations. I go to her house and she visits me. It's as beautiful as it was before because I realised we have experienced so much together. She has done Black for me. I don't want to forget anyone be it ' Salman, Aishwarya, Hrithik or SRK ' who gave beautiful performances in my films. I will always be grateful and thankful to them. I will always stand by them.
Ajay Devgn's character in Singham is called Bajirao. Inspired from your title, you think?
I'll be making Bajirao Mastani, and I am upset about a character in another film being called that. But I can't do anything about it. It is their choice. But they didn't approach me for my title. They could have spoken to me at least, as it is a project that is very near and dear to me. I have lived with it and been creating it for years. Ajay is a very fine man, and I feel taking titles or creating characters out of others titles should not happen in the industry. Just because I have not done a movie, doesn't mean you can just take it. It's just not the right attitude. There are many other names to call a character. This is what I'd told Rani, 'Today if you are doing it, tomorrow someone else will do it.' If I know that Mani Ratnam is making a film called Raavan, I will not call my character Ra.One. At least not before his film comes out. This industry operates without having a code of conduct, and that's just not right.
Ok, what's your next film?
I want to do Bajirao Mastani. And I am producing Rowdy Rathore starring Akshay Kumar and I have written one out-and-out comedy, which my sister, Bela will direct. I have just let my funny side take over. It is a film about a Parsi couple. I have realised that I can write a funny film far more easily and enjoy it more too. Then there is My Friend Pinto. This one stars Prateik. That boy is so blessed. There is an aura around him. He looks spaced out and disinterested, but he is magic on screen. Even he doesn't realise what brilliance he creates. He is special. You keep looking at his face. He remind you so much of his mother.
Name one contemporary director you admire?
They are all good. They are all evolving.
Sigh! Okay name one from the newer lot?
I am speaking about them only.
Whenever he meets me, he is very kind, cordial and respectful about my work. I don't know why Sonam answered the question too. She should also understand that she is talking about someone who has made her what she is. I expect a little more restraint from her. We always want to laugh and see the lighter side of our films, but I would want Sonam to always remember that Saawariya will remain her most important work. She will never look so beautiful ever again. No director is going to work so hard on her. Both Karan and Sonam need to learn to have restraint, dignity, and respect for fellow filmmakers.
I am sensing some anger against Karan.
Karan has always been a friend. He is a good boy, but I feel post Saawariya something has gone wrong in his mind. We have not fought or something, but I feel there is a feeling in his mind. If there is, he should express it to me. I need to understand if it is something I have done, or said. Even if I meet him today, I would meet him with love because he is one director I am very fond of. We would exchange ideas and meet often... It was a wonderful relationship. I don't know where or why it went wrong. There was a lot of mess between SRK and me during that time as our films were releasing together. And some people as their friends took sides. But right now SRK, Farah and I have no problems. We are friendly today, and I don't care about the past.
Your friendship with Rani soured after she used the title of your sister's film for her own film. You felt betrayed...
n Yes, I was upset with the title going because I had kept the title Hadippa for Bela's film. Rani wanted it, but I said it was not possible. So they simply added two words Dil Bole in front of Hadippa and used it. I thought that was not done. But that does not mean I am upset with Rani or Adi (Aditya Chopra) or anybody else. It's done. It's gone. I have forgotten about it. Rani is a very, very dear friend. We still have long conversations. I go to her house and she visits me. It's as beautiful as it was before because I realised we have experienced so much together. She has done Black for me. I don't want to forget anyone be it ' Salman, Aishwarya, Hrithik or SRK ' who gave beautiful performances in my films. I will always be grateful and thankful to them. I will always stand by them.
Ajay Devgn's character in Singham is called Bajirao. Inspired from your title, you think?
I'll be making Bajirao Mastani, and I am upset about a character in another film being called that. But I can't do anything about it. It is their choice. But they didn't approach me for my title. They could have spoken to me at least, as it is a project that is very near and dear to me. I have lived with it and been creating it for years. Ajay is a very fine man, and I feel taking titles or creating characters out of others titles should not happen in the industry. Just because I have not done a movie, doesn't mean you can just take it. It's just not the right attitude. There are many other names to call a character. This is what I'd told Rani, 'Today if you are doing it, tomorrow someone else will do it.' If I know that Mani Ratnam is making a film called Raavan, I will not call my character Ra.One. At least not before his film comes out. This industry operates without having a code of conduct, and that's just not right.
Ok, what's your next film?
I want to do Bajirao Mastani. And I am producing Rowdy Rathore starring Akshay Kumar and I have written one out-and-out comedy, which my sister, Bela will direct. I have just let my funny side take over. It is a film about a Parsi couple. I have realised that I can write a funny film far more easily and enjoy it more too. Then there is My Friend Pinto. This one stars Prateik. That boy is so blessed. There is an aura around him. He looks spaced out and disinterested, but he is magic on screen. Even he doesn't realise what brilliance he creates. He is special. You keep looking at his face. He remind you so much of his mother.
Name one contemporary director you admire?
They are all good. They are all evolving.
Sigh! Okay name one from the newer lot?
I am speaking about them only.
Cricket
Suggestions / Comments
6