Sanjay Leela Bhansali Reminisces About Resilience During Padmaavat Shoot: ‘I Refused to Back Down Despite Facing Physical and Mental Attacks; I Am Unbreakable’
Sanjay Leela Bhansali faced opposition from various organizations when he was filming for Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh starrer Padmaavat. Recently, the filmmaker recalled the difficult time when he himself was physically attacked and shared that he never let any of it show on-screen. Bhansali revealed that the next day, he wanted to go and shoot at the place, but his people were surprised and even asked him if he was out of his mind to do it.
In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Sanjay Leela Bhansali discussed his approach of making grand films with big sets, expensive costumes, and popular actors. He shared that he believes he is “the most impractical, self-destructive filmmaker” and has received criticism for making big-budget films like Devdas in the past.
Taking an example he recalled making his film, Padmaavat, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh. After his announcement on making the film, several right-wing organizations were unhappy about it since the film was about the story of a Rajput queen.
The script was based on an epic poem, Padmaavat, by a 16th-Century poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. But, the protestors felt he was changing the historical facts in his film. As a result, the sets of Padmaavat and Bhansali himself were attacked multiple times. But he was still determined to make the film.
Recalling the same, he said, “During Padmaavat, I faced a barrage of attacks—physical, mental, emotional. But I never let any of it show on screen. I am made of iron and steel; I’m not budging. Do whatever you want.”
Sanjay Leela Bhansali was attacked at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, by members of the Rajput Karni Sena when he was filming at the venue. However, as an artist, he was ready to go back where he was humiliated and continue his work.
He said, “After we were attacked, people asked me, ‘Where will you put the camera tomorrow?’ I responded, ‘Should we go to that place?’ They told me, ‘Are you out of your mind? You were just humiliated.’ But I believe that every artist must endure humiliation. If you aren’t angry about what’s right and wrong, you lack true expression.”
Apart from physical attacks, several cases were filed in court against Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his team members for making Padmaavat. It also led to a delay in its release. Later, the film was released in January 2018 and became a hit by earning Rs 600 crore at the box office.
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