Sanjay Leela Bhansali says Pandit Birju Maharaj refused to eat before performing for someone: ‘I took him to Madhuri Dixit’s house’

While his latest directorial venture, the period drama streaming series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, has been generating mixed reactions from audiences, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has also been earning immense praise for the show’s intricate and detailed production design. Bhansali, who has always been hailed for the aesthetic quality of his projects, recently shared an anecdote about dancer-composer Pandit Birju Maharaj, and how the Kathak legend taught him about the innate longing of an artiste for recognition and appreciation.

Expressing delight over the fact that his Heeramandi is currently being watched by people all across the world since it premiered on the streaming platform Netflix, Bhansali told ETimes that for him, the paramount goal is widespread viewership of his work. He emphasised his point by drawing parallels with the satisfaction a singer derives from being heard.

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He further reflected on the profound longing of artistes to have their works acknowledged and shared an experience with Birju Maharaj while working on Devdas (2002). Recalling that Maharaj, who had come to record two songs for the film, including “Kaahe Chhed Chhed” for actor Madhuri Dixit, contacted him on a Sunday to complain that he had nothing to do.

Bhansali said that Maharaj reminded him that he was an artiste, and artistes don’t feel like eating or enjoying food until they perform for someone. In response to Bhansali’s query about how he could help, Maharaj requested a platform to perform. Thus, Bhansali took the dancer to Madhuri Dixit’s house to perform. The filmmaker added, “Every artiste wants their talent to be seen, appreciated or even criticised. Criticism is also a part of an artiste’s growth and life.”