Sanjay Leela Bhansali has given a direct reply to all those who have accused him of making the same type of films. He said that it is an act of courage to take the Greek God of Hindi cinema in Gujrish.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is enjoying his accolades after the theatrical release of his film Gangubai Kathiawadi. He has now responded to critics who accuse him of making only one kind of cinema. He cited the example of his 2010 film Guzaarish in which Hrithik Roshan was in the role of a quadrilateral. The filmmaker says that it was an act of fearlessness by making the film after the 2007 film Saawariya which failed to perform at all.
Guzaarish starred Aishwarya Rai as Hrithik's nurse. It revolves around a paralyzed magician-radio jockey, who petitions the court seeking permission to end his life.
Talking about how his career ended after the release of the film, Sanjay told Film Companion in an interview, "A lot of people felt that my filmmaking was archaic and it was constantly moving in the same direction. I was stuck where I am. He almost ended my career with Saawariya and Guzaarish. He said, 'Oh, it is over'. But I was searching, if after Saawariya I was fearless if I asked. I have taken a boy who is considered to be a Greek god in Hindi cinema who is known for dance and action, he is lying on the bed and talking without moving his hand. That courage Yes, fearlessness is courage. Fearlessness is also to continue our culture."
The filmmaker has said that with Gangubai Kathiawadi, he begins his new phase of filmmaking which will now deal with spirits. He is prominently known for films such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Bajirao Mastani and Padmavat, all of which are rooted in Indian culture.
Talking about his love for many Indian filmmakers of the 20th century, he added, "We have become Spanish, Korean, Iranian, Italian - we have to be proud of what cinema we have. that what we are and find within our language. Our voices, our way of storytelling. Satyajit Ray was a very Indian filmmaker, whether he was influenced by Italian neorealism or whatever, but there was still so much context that They did it with Indian mythology, architecture and art - just fascinating. Where did that tradition go? Why is it so fashionable to be like that and not that?"
Gangubai Kathiawadi is running in theaters these days. The film stars Alia Bhatt as a vulnerable 16-year-old girl who is sold off by her boyfriend and manages to own a brothel and then fights for the rights of sex workers.