By Hindustan Times
In 2010, he made the critically acclaimed film, Guzaarish. Since then, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has not directed anything. But now, he's set to tackle the role again for his next, tentatively titled Ram Leela. Interestingly, Bhansali’s new film has also brought Kareena Kapoor’s 13-year-long wait to an end. “We have desired to interact for some time and i'm immensely excited. We met for the primary time across the release of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). She was engaged on her debut, Refugee (2000), then. So, we’ve been constantly thinking and speaking to one another. I’m happy that this has finally worked out now,” says Bhansali.
Ask the Devdas (2002) director anything about Ram Leela and he corrects us first, “It’s not titled Ram Leela. Let’s call it my new film with Kareena and Ranveer (Ranveer Singh). It’s a full-on masala movie and is within the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam roughly space. I WILL have a blast.”
Revealing that he was impressed with “wonderful” Ranveer’s acting in Band Baaja Baraat, Bhansali adds, “He is a smart guy to work with. Plus, with 11 songs and great locales, I BELIEVE the chemistry between Ranveer and Kareena goes to rock,” adds Bhansali, who plans to take the film at the floors this July.
Kareena Kapoor
For the longest time, rumours suggested that Ranbir Kapoor and Sonkashi Sinha were being cast for this project? “Kuch toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna (people will keep saying these things, it’s their job). There’s always any other star cast that’s named on every occasion I start a brand new film. I'VE always faced such issues with my films. All I MUST say is, I'VE chosen these people, dekho na inko (please see them). What’s for your mind is a distinct matter.’
Excerpts from interview:
Rowdy Rathore’s (RR) promos and songs have struck a chord with the masses, did you are expecting this sort of response?
It’s an even feeling since it’s cutting across age groups and entertaining people. It’s the type of film that we got down to make. And up to now from people’s reactions, it looks as if we now have achieved some a part of what we wanted.
It doesn’t seem like a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film...
It isn’t imagined to seem like a Bhansali film. If I MAY make RR, I wouldn’t have called in another director to make it. I'M producing three sorts of films (RR, Shirin Farhad Ki Nikal Padi and an untitled project) that I'LL not make, will not be capable of make or am not able to make. But these are the type of films that excite me as a producer.
But the speculation came to you, right?
Yes. I loved Vikramarkudu (2006) from the word go. When Shabina Khan (co-producer) and that i watched the film, we instantly liked it. I'VE BEEN mentioned in a space where film theatres like Alankar, Raj Talkies and Moti Talkies were always playing massy movies. And we'd run to observe films like Chor Machaye Shor (1974).
Why a masala film?
When it involves entertainment, it better be a masala film. I used to make such films earlier. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (HDDCS, 1999) had a large number of masala, though not similar to RR. Devdas (2003), too, was a masala movie in its own way.
You think audiences only want over-the-top masala films now?
They also take a film like Kahaani to an ideal conclusion. So, there’s some reassurance that good films will work. However the dominating mood is entertainment now. Maybe because tickets are expensive, the audience wants their money’s worth. It’s not about watching art anymore. Cinema is not any longer an art (in India).
So successful film means pure entertainment?
In essence, film viewing has become very celebrative in India. It’s like a festival now — to move for a movie that provides one the entire joy, laughter, fun, action, romance, seetis (whistles) and taalis (claps). Take a look at me, I BEGAN off with a major film like Khamoshi (1996). But if it bombed, I jumped into HDDCS with 11 songs and family melodrama.
Has the offbeat film space shrunk?
It hasn’t. But we'd like that nautanki and tamasha (drama). It’s our tradition and legacy. (Indian) filmmakers should realise that that is where all of us belong. Despite the fact that we make an experimental film, its melodrama must be balanced, if you wish to reach out to places like Rai Barelly and Jhumri Telaiya, or even Mumbai.
Your plate seems full for now…
Yes, next is Shirin Farhad Ki Nikal Padi (SFKNP) and it’s special to me since it’s my sister’s (Bela Segal) first film with Farah (Khan) because the heroine. Then, my very own film is arising. Plus I’m also producing two other films. I AM HOPING I'VE enough mental and physical strength to hold on.
How was it working with Farah?
With SFKNP, Farah will change the filmmaking trend in some way (laughs). I can’t inform you how much we cried after watching the film. Now we have fought, come together, after which again fought and are available back. I BELIEVE we're made and destined to live (with one another) like that.
You went to Cannes in 2002. Do you're feeling so much has changed now?
At one point, a festival was where the arena that didn’t have access to every other’s cinema would watch films. It’s always prestigious to be part of it. But somewhere, we're reducing Cannes to just fashion, beauty and red carpet.
