Bajirao Mastani: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Attempt to Evoke Audience Empathy for Deepika Padukone’s Character as the ‘Other Woman’
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an ace filmmaker who has contributed significantly to the Indian cinema industry over the past few decades. Like any artist, he follows a unique process that allows him to create iconic films such as Devdas and Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela. In an interview, he mentioned his focus on making the audience truly feel the emotions of his characters, whether through his screenplay, costumes, set props, or background score. When discussing his masterpiece, Bajirao Mastani, SLB expressed his desire for viewers to experience the humiliation that Mastani felt when she was labeled as the ‘other woman’.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India about his filmmaking process, Sanjay Leela Bhansali emphasized the importance of capturing the essence of a moment and connecting with the audience through it. He highlighted the significance of scenes coming to life on set, and his need to be fully present during their creation.
The filmmaker and music composer emphasized that his filmmaking style goes beyond superficial elements like hair and eye movements. For him, it’s about creating impactful moments and engaging the audience in the character’s emotional journey. He stressed his intention for viewers to empathize with Mastani’s plight in Bajirao Mastani, portraying her struggle of being loved by Bajirao but not accepted by society. His storytelling aims to convey deeper messages, incorporating layers of complexity for viewers to interpret.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali shared examples of how he adds depth to characters, such as Tanvi Azmi’s Radhabai, to evoke specific emotions in the audience. He described his filmmaking style as mysterious and enigmatic, aiming to unravel intricate narratives that engage viewers on a profound level.
Looking ahead, Bhansali is gearing up to direct Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in his upcoming film, Love And War, scheduled for release in March 2026.
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