Sanjay Leela Bhansali confesses that his films are a product of the chaos in his life, reminiscing about his humble beginnings in a small, colorless chawl.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for his grand cinematic settings like the Chittor Fort in Padmaavat and Heera Mandi in his recent Netflix series, comes from humble beginnings. In a recent interview, Bhansali opened up about growing up in a small, colorless chawl in Mumbai, where his movies are rooted in the chaos of his own life.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, SLB reminisced about his early days, stating, “I come from a small little chawl in a 300-square-foot, colorless space.” Despite the lack of color in his surroundings, his imagination thrived with dreams in the compact living space he shared with his family.
These early experiences not only influenced Bhansali’s filmmaking but also fueled his creative drive. He expressed, “I’ve made very big films. I’ve earned the right to make big films. But it’s all born out of the chaos of my life.”
His movies, personal and sometimes challenging, may not reach blockbuster status in terms of box office numbers, but Bhansali stressed the impact his work has on him as an artist is what truly matters.
Despite financial struggles, Bhansali’s family’s love for cinema never wavered. His mother, a talented dancer, would perform in the cramped living space they called home, a stark contrast to the grand sets his heroines later danced on in his films.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Bhansali shared how the world of cinema became his refuge from the harsh realities of life, rejecting realism for a more fantastical escape.
Though faced with challenges, Bhansali’s ties to the film industry from a young age played a significant role in shaping his career. Currently, he is preparing for his next project titled “Love and War” starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal.
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