‘Bajirao Mastani-Dilwale Clash is No Election Campaign’: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

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Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali reveals why he had to wait 12 years to make his magnum opus Bajirao Mastani, a historical love saga on the life and times of Peshwa warrior Bajirao.

“Maybe it needed me to be older, wiser, more evolved as a filmmaker, for my hair to turn from back to grey,” Sanjay Bhansali says in an interview with Mumbai Mirror.

“For two years I haven’t been to a restaurant or a film. I’ve been working 18 hours a day, full of anxiety and insecurity trying to achieve what I wanted even if it meant creating everything. I don’t make films for money or to be known as a great entertainer. It’s a part of a personal expression, I want to live every moment, every emotion with every character,” he says, adding that creativity is a cathartic process.

The original script which was intended for Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukerji finally went to Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. “Yes, I had wanted Salman but things didn’t work out. We share a great bond and I know his good wishes are with me. He’s beyond all this, has reached cult status,” asserts Sanjay.

On the issue of the film clashing at the box office with SRK’s Dilwale, he says, “They are two different films and I wish both do well. Shah Rukh is a dear friend; I’m in touch with him more than any other actor. I know the intention is not to compete with or destroy us. This is no election campaign.”

Bhansali, who, once upon a time was known for his infamous temper says, “I no longer throw phones or scream. Only if something is not right on the set do I ask for an explanation. Grant me that much of passion, don’t take that right away from me. Logon ne botal ki botal khatam ki to kuch na hua, hamne thodi si laga li to hungama ho gaya,” he sighs.

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