MUMBAI: Indian film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for his extraordinary and emotional historical epics, recently explained the creative process of the series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. His ambition is not only about box office success, but about creating an immersive experience for his audience. The series was marked as a streaming platform first and received mixed reactions for its historical accuracy. He has also been associated with working with several stars over the years, but remains friends with only a few. Bhansali says he loves his actors, but the only star he cares about is Salman Khan.
Asked if he likes to be friends with his actors, Bhansali said, “I love my actors. I see that you don’t have to be friends with actors. You have to love your actors. You have to love the characters you create.”
Bhansali says that one actor he has always been friends with is Salman Khan. She worked with him in Hamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Saawariya. Interestingly, Salman Khan was also present at the premiere of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar to support Berasali. Although the Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt co-starrer Inshallah didn’t do his best, Bhansali added, “The person I’m still dating is Salman Khan. Hopefully not, but still with me. ‘You okay? You’re screwing up. I like it once every three months, but he doesn’t care about me , my son, has done many films with me. It’s good? “That’s what it’s all about.”
This is my friend. “In that sense, I am lucky that our friend, who we talk to once every six months, pick up where we left off.”
Bhansali: “But usually when I work with them, I like them [actors]. I think they move on and forget. As an actor, you go back the next day, you go back to the next film. The director spends six months at home working on the next home. That that’s why you feel lonely, but everyone around me works with me every day. So you don’t have to take them too seriously. You thank them for what they do for you and create your cinema. You should always be grateful to them.”
When the project went to the floor, God willing, it was stopped. Although Bhansali doesn’t seem to have any plans to revive him, some speculations suggest that the story revolves around a businessman [Salman Khan] who keeps his spirit young despite being 40 years old. He traveled from Orlando to Varanasi, India, maybe for business or personal reasons. There he met an actress [Alia Bhatt] who lived near the Ganges. The significant age difference will be the main theme of the film.
Meanwhile, Heeramandi, which translates to ‘Diamond Bazaar’, delves into the lives of those living in Lahore’s red light district during the British Raj. The series has an ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala and Sonakshi Sinha along with Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Shaikh.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali on maintaining friendship with Salman Khan
