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Despite criticism, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is basking in the success of his recently released series, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. In a career spanning over 30 years, the director has worked with some of the finest actors. In a recent interview, Bhansali spoke about the changing techniques in both filmmaking and acting, and how directors of today may be different from the time he made Devdas almost 28 years ago, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit Nene and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Delving into the intricacies of actor-director dynamics, SLB noted that while the style and approach to acting have changed over the years, the essence of delivering compelling performances remains the same. “I think the cinema has changed, techniques have changed. Now a director looks at cinema differently. The scriptwriters are writing differently and sketching varied and unusual roles. It is a great time for Indian cinema. Today, great films are being made, and wonderful work is being done,” the Guzaarish director told Bollywood Hungama.
Comparing the acting styles of yesteryears with today’s artistes, Sanjay Leela Bhansali pointed out the differences in tonality and delivery. He explained that the operatic, high-pitched performances seen in his 2002 film Devdas might be challenging for contemporary actors to emulate, owing to the evolving nature of acting techniques and audience tastes. “The sur (tone) and the note at which Devdas was being performed — it was high pitch and operatic — it was difficult to perform. In those days, directors demanded actors to be that way but today, they ask actors to underplay and be subtle which is also nice. What Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, and Kirron Kher did in Devdas, are notes and sur that today’s actors may not be able to deliver because they were a little unreal and demanded a deeper understanding of the acting techniques which Shah Rukh handled with brilliance,” Bhansali explained.
While acknowledging the uniqueness of each actor he has collaborated with, Bhansali expressed his appreciation for their craft and the invaluable learning experiences he has had throughout his career. He further emphasised the importance of understanding the individuality of each artiste and allowing their essence to be woven into the characters they portray. “I have learnt a lot from my actors in these 30 years. There were different kinds of actors. Seema Biwas is spectacular as an actor and so are Sharmin Segal, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha and Manisha Koirala. There’s a whole spectrum of artistes that I have meet and they’re all very special. They’re all very different personalities. I’ve brought into all of them a part of me and I have taken a part of them in my characters. They love me and I love them a little more than they do (sic),” he added.
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is a lavishly produced Netflix series created by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Set in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore during the Indian independence movement against the British Raj, the show delves into the lives of the tawaifs, or courtesans, who reigned as queens in this unique setting.
The series boasts a star-studded cast, including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditi Rao Hydari. With Bhansali’s signature visual flair and a captivating storyline, Heeramandi has captured the attention of audiences worldwide, becoming the second most-watched non-English series on Netflix in its second week.
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