Manisha Koirala on reuniting with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Heeramandi 28 years after Khamoshi: ‘I have seen him grow as an artist’

Manisha described her experiences of working with the maverick filmmaker a “humongous journey” and said that she has seen SLB growing into a “maestro”. She said, “We all have tried to do our best because we working with a master. To be working with Sanjay 25 years after his first film, Khamoshi, it can’t get better than that. It’s been a humongous journey, I’ve seen him grow as an artist, as a maestro, as a genius, he is India’s best, he is greatest filmmakers in India. We are lucky to be working, sweating and trying to perfect our act. We are dying to show it to everybody.”

 

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Sonakshi took the opportunity to share her experience working with Manisha, the acting icon who has stayed away from the limelight in the last few years. She said, “I loved working with Manisha, she is such a wonderful person. The body of work that she has behind her, the work that she done and the films of hers that we have seen, she is so respected, stunning, beautiful, elegant, just wow. When I worked with her, I realised she is a beautiful person, just the way she conducts herself on set. Watching her and being with her in the same frame was such a pleasure. I hope I can do it soon. It was an honour working with her.”

Aditi Rao Hydari, who collaborated with SLB on Padmavat (2017) said that working with him continues to feel like a dream to her. She said, “Working with Sanjay sir has been a wonderful dream. I can’t describe how it is to be around him. When we shoot a film, we get a certain amount of time to be with a director, when you shoot a show, you get that much more time. His soul goes into everything that he does. He eats, lives, and breathes his characters, there’s so much passion. Im grateful that the challenges that he throws at you, there’s so much love, and pride, pushing you to do your best. I’m grateful for that experience and I hope I get it multiple times. I love him.”

Richa Chadda, who recently announced prgnancy with husband Ali Fazal, expressed gratitude on the opportunity to work with Bhansali. “I don’t think there’s anyone in the industry who can give you a costume of 30 kg, makes you take eight rounds, and then you have to drop a tear from with your left eye, just to take the close-up. There’s no one like him, who does this. An actor is hungry to grow, and he will push you.”

 

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She added, “I met Rani Mukerji the other day, and she said, ‘Till you work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you don’t know your own potential’.”

Sharmin, who is SLB’s niece made her acting debut in 2019 film backed by him, Malaal. About reuniting with him on Heermandi, she said, “As an artist, it is a privilege to be working with Sanjay sir, whether it’s on OTT or its in a theatre. On the other hand, working with Sanjay sir on a series, its a different ball game as an actor, its not just one movie, it’s like doing eight films. I’ve assisted sir on Bajirao Mastani on a movie, and watching him adapt to the format of the series, was a privilege.”

Sajeeda, also a part of Heeranandi said, “It’s good to see a dream come true today. Everyone wants to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It’s a big deal for me to one of his leading ladies. So, I’m honored to be part of Heeramandi, and they all (co-actors) are very special.”

Heeramandi will start streaming on Netflix later this year.