Sanjay Leela Bhansali On His Actors Upset About Not Being Repeated: 'Not Here To Build Relationships'

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar has stirred much discussion since its release. Bhansali, known for extracting outstanding performances from his actors, a talent they often don’t realise they possess, is one of Bollywood’s most prolific directors. In a recent chat with Galatta Plus, he opened up on why he doesn’t always repeat actors in his films, describing it as an organic process rooted deep within.

“I’ve worked with wonderful actors. Ranbir ho, Ranveer ho, Deepika ho, Madhuri Dixit, Amit ji.. all wonderful actors. Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Nana Patekar and Seema Biswa – one of my all-time favourite actors. And now, in this one, Sonakshi Sinha and Richa Chadha. I feel that I have a great equation with each one. I sometimes feel that when I don’t repeat them, they get upset about it.” They say, ‘we gave so much to Sanjay for this Film, why not this one?’ But I feel sometimes the casting is very organic, it has to come from deep within. We’re not here to build relationships. I respect you. I love you for what you created for me – you have acted, you’ve given your time and your hard work and you have created magic on the screen,” said the filmmaker.

Talking about performances in his films, “90% of them [actors] has created magic on the screen. It is because of the love and respect for each other. So, they give me their best,” he said.

Many actors, including Alia Bhatt, have expressed they want to star in multiple films by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Alia, during her stint on Koffee With Karan 7 had said, “I hope he doesn’t change me. He has done 3 with Deepika and promised me 4.” For the unversed, Alia has worked with the director in Gangubai Kathiawadi and will be next seen in Love and War alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. Meanwhile, Deepika has worked with the master director in three films. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela was followed up with the 2015 blockbuster Bajirao Mastaani and the last collaboration was 2018’s Padmaavat.

During the same interview, Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “I’m not here to make money. I’m here to make a film. I’m here to make an experience for you. I’m here to tell you that maybe this was my way of telling you to hear it. But yeah, it all comes from giving a lot more than what you on the periphery see when a filmmaker’s work you see ‘ya he’s got a certain style’. All of that is okay, but there’s a lot more that goes in when you surrender to your work. I live for nothing in my life. I only want to make films. I only want to go to the studio. The best city in the world is film city.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi was released on Netflix on May 1. I