Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for his grandeur and perfectionism, has long been at the centre of rumours surrounding his demanding nature on set. Stories of his supposed temper and the intense work culture on his film sets have circulated for years. Now in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Bhansali finally addressed these claims, explaining that this often come from a place of artistic restlessness and an unyielding pursuit of perfection.
“There is always a restlessness in the mind when I’m making a film so people who work with me find it a little difficult to work with me because there is something I don’t know what I want at times,” Bhansali admitted.
Bhansali, who has delivered memorable films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani and Gangubai Kathiawadi, doesn’t shy away from revisiting scenes until everything feels right. He has often been described as a director who insists on absolute control over every minute detail, from the flutter of a sari pallu to the precise lighting on a character’s face. Yet, as Bhansali pointed out, the tension between his desire for control and the subconscious nature of creativity is where the challenge lies.
“I’m walking the set, and sometimes I’ve travelled somewhere else in my mind. Sometimes I don’t get a scene; sometimes it doesn’t happen the way I want it to happen, and not because of me, but because of the 150 other people working with me, who may not sometimes understand what I want. But I pardon them, forgive them for not always understanding me, and sometimes they tolerate me for all my idiosyncrasies, restlessness, and chaos,” he added.
The filmmaker went on to describe how his subconscious plays a significant role in his creative process. For him, moments of magic often appear out of the blue. “There are times when I’m sitting and I’m not getting it. Suddenly I get up and say, ‘Well, listen, you do this, and you do this,’ and I’m going back. But it’s not in the discussion, it’s not anywhere in my mind until then.”
Bhansali’s artistic approach, which might seem chaotic to others, is often informed by influences from his favourite filmmakers. “When I’m making a film, I know I want to make it like Raj Kapoor,” he revealed. “He’s always seated behind me, telling me what I have to do. Sometimes I don’t even know where a moment came from. It’s only later that I realise what inspired it.”
“I’m unaware of the moments of magic until they happen,” Bhansali shared. “Most of the time, I’ve never understood or analysed my work as I’m doing it. It’s only after the fact that I can reflect and say, ‘Was that moment there because of something deeper within me?'”
Comments
0 comment