By Hindustan Times
His roughly cinema is different -- but Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for films like Devdas, Black and Guzaarish, broke new ground by producing a masala film like Rowdy Rathore. He admits the industry is flooded with films of all genres, but says potboilers have never gone out of style and would never.
"Luckily, a wide variety of movies are being made today. However the one genre that continues its successful run is the potboiler. It cuts across all sections of the audience," said Bhansali.
Rowdy Rathore, directed by Prabhu Deva, marked the action comeback of Bollywood's 'khiladi' Akshay Kumar, who was paired alongside Sonakshi Sinha. A NOVEL offering from Bhansali, the movie managed to rake in Rs.29.8 crore within the first two days of its release.
The filmmaker is excited with the response, and feels it has instilled a way of flamboyance in his type of filmmaking. Nevertheless, he admits his aesthetics of filmmaking will remain intact in his own directorials.
Excerpts from his interview:
Rowdy Rathore is being seen as a piece of compromised art by individuals who expect you to make Devdas, Black and Guzaarish?
Why would I only produce the movies that I'd wish to direct myself? Why shouldn't I produce the type of films that maybe somewhere I enjoy watching, have grown up watching? My father(Naveen Bhansali) produced a movie called Jahaaji Lootera. Somewhere in my subconscious, Jahaaji Lootere has remained embedded. It has now surfaced in Rowdy Rathore.
But critics who associate you with the aesthetics of Black are shocked?
Luckily a wide variety of flicks are being made today. However the one genre that continues its successful run is the potboiler. It cuts across all sections of the audience. Rowdy Rathore is the type of film I used to clap and cheer for as a kid at Alankar Talkies and Imperial Talkies alike.
Last week, after I visited Chandan Talkies, members of the audience came forward to shake my hand and hug me warmly. It's something I've never experienced after any of my very own self-directed films. It is all new to me. And i am enjoying myself thoroughly.
No you can still make me feel guilty or apologetic simply because I've had as much fun producing Rowdy Rathore as I did directing Black. I THINK rejuvenated.
So is Rowdy Rathore going to be the brand new benchmark of Sanjay Leela Bhansali productions?
Not the movies I direct. I'm very convinced about my aesthetics. I'm very pleased with Black and Guzaarish. But I AM NOT new to mass acceptance. My Devdas had created the similar euphoria. Lataji (Lata Mangeshkar) sings the soft Allah Tero Naam and the massy Bangle Ke Peeche with equal flawlessness. I WILL NOT claim to be as versatile. I WILL BE ABLE TO direct the movies I'M happy with. The movies I direct will continue to show my aesthetics.
So you probably did it for the box office?
No, for the enjoyment of constructing the type of cinema I grew up watching. Nobody can predict the result on the box office and make films accordingly. But who doesn't wish to produce successful films? Devdas was made inside the popular format. However the aesthetics were different from Rowdy Rathore.
I can't direct the movies that Prabhu Deva am i able to. admit I WOULD NOT be comfortable doing this. It comes naturally to Prabhu Deva. I WOULD LIKE to supply such films. It is not easy to make Rowdy Rathore. It requires a large number of skill to make the type of cinema where audiences jump out in their seats whistling and clapping.
Is Rowdy Rathore a brand new beginning for you?
As a human being, I've lately become way more outgoing. I benefit from the changes in me. The suffering and intensity can never leave me. I now stay up for the light and a good way to reflect in my next film I direct. It has two of the sunniest stars Kareena Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.
How will Rowdy Rathore change your attitude to filmmaking?
As a filmmaker, Rowdy Rathore has opened new doors in my vision. A DEFINITE more or less flamboyance might be a part of the film I direct and convey henceforth. Rowdy Rathore has put me in a cheerful positive frame of mind.
What are you producing next?
Another south Indian remake. Of course, remakes are the straightforward way out. I produced an original script My Friend Pinto. Nobody came to peer it. I NEED to make films that stretch out to a large audience.
