Posts tagged saraswati chandra

TRPs can be nerve wrecking-Sanjay Leela Bhansali

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3 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Sanjay Leela Bhansali on his maiden television venture

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; February 19, 2013)

 

How did you decide to venture into television? It has been in the pipeline for long, as TV has a huge audience. It was important to diversify, grow and see what it is that one could do on TV. I wanted to make a film on Saraswatichandra, but I decided to make a TV show instead. What also prompted me is that I have been told that films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam or Devdas are the mothers of all serials. My movie has inspired so many shows on different aspects — sets, clothes, styling and moments, mothersin-law fighting and thalis flying. I am just bringing the same to television.

Why make a show based on a novel? Viewers should be exposed to literature. Saraswati Chandra has all the ingredients for a serial. The book talks about values and ideologies. Ours is a more contemporary version to suit today’s time and age.

Will you change the storyline of your show depending on the TRPs? I am open to changes. The real battle begins when the TRPs start coming in. I am used to working hand-inglove with the channel and they understand their market better. TRPs are scary. People are evaluating your work and determining its success. It can be nerve-wracking.

It’s been in the making for so long. Why the delay? It’s been almost two years and many a time, I thought of dropping the idea. TV is a different and difficult medium. It has different demands and a different way of More >

Barkha out of SLB’s TV show, but has a role in Ram Leela

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3 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Neha Maheshwri Bhagat (BOMBAY TIMES; February 7, 2013)

 

There were talks of actress Barkha Bisht being approached to play the female lead in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming television show, Saraswati Chandra. But she lost the role to Jennifer Winget, who was the channel’s original choice.

Says Barkha, “I gave an elaborate look test for the show. Sanjay sir was keen on me for the role, but things didn’t work out.”

However, Barkha is excited about being a part of Bhansali’s film Ram Leela, where she plays Ranveer Singh’s bhabhi, Kesar. About her character, she says, “In the first half of the film, Kesare comes across as sweet and docile, but in the second half — after becoming a widow — she becomes stronger and vents her emotions even though women in the family are not expected to speak up. I need to wear a dupatta on my head all the time, which is a little difficult. But Sanjay sir was very particular about the look. On paper, the role seems important and substantial, but the length of a character is often decided at the editing table.”

Asked if she was disappointed with the length of her item number in Raajneeti, she says, “That was my first attempt at item numbers. I took it up because I am extremely fond of dancing and to add to it, it was a Prakash Jha film. However, I am not keen on doing item numbers any more unless the project is really good.”

I’m rowdy at heart-Sanjay Leela Bhansali

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11 months ago
by Fenil Seta in

Sanjay Leela Bhansali on his Friday release, future films and his TV show

Upala KBR (BOMBAY TIMES; June 1, 2012)

 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s production Rowdy Rathore, mainlining Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha and directed by Prabhu Dheva, releases today. The trailer of his next production, Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi, directed by his sister Bela Bhansali Sehgal, releases with RR. In August, he will direct Kareena Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in his next. He’s also producing India’s grandest television extravaganza, Saraswati Chandra. In conversation with SLB over chai and chaat…

What prompted you to make a massy, commercial film like Rowdy Rathore? I wanted to make a hit film. As a producer, it’s important to make films that are different from my usual style. I wanted to make a film that would entertain people, and I wanted them to go home loving everything — the songs, the dialogues, the action. RR is not my genre, but I wanted to be part of a film that people like watching. Guzaarish changed my perspective on life, and purged me of my fear of death and sorrow. Now I am in a happy, adventurous zone. I want to do different things.

How did RR happen? My co-producer Shabina (Khan) asked me to see the Telugu film Vikramarkudu on which RR is based. I found the plot wonderfully entertaining, and felt it was a film that needed to be produced in Hindi. I am extremely proud of what we have made. It is entertaining, beautifully-crafted and has great action and songs. My mother More >

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