Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat faced intense controversy and unprecedented challenges before its release, yet the filmmaker remained steadfast in his vision. In an honest conversation with ETimes, Bhansali reflects on the tumultuous journey behind the film, his unwavering commitment to his art, and the profound inspiration he found in Rani Padmavati‘s story. Despite the fierce opposition and personal attacks, his resilience paid off as the film finally reached audiences, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Excerpts…
Where do you place Padmaavat in your ravishing repertoire?
Very high. I am very fond of my work in ‘Padmaavat’.
Was Deepika Padukone your first choice?
Absolutely! I can’t think of anyone other actress who could look so regal on screen and convey the same volume of intensity. Deepika was the perfect choice for the role.
How did you get over this period of vicious attack? Anyone else in your place would’ve crumbled.
Very honestly, I really don’t know where the strength came from. I guess it just comes to us when we need to be strong. I really don’t know how I got through this period. But after all of this, to have the film release finally in spite of all odds, and most importantly, to have audiences flocking see it in spite of the threats. I can’t tell you what a relief and joy it was.
I can’t imagine how you will ever forget being assaulted in Rajasthan and then fringe hoodlums demanding your head and Deepika’s nose?
It was crazy. Through all of this, I was more worried about my mother and happy that she was with me. I don’t know how I would have survived without her at my side. She kept saying, ‘Mere bete ke saath aisa kyon ho raha hai? Woh itni achchi filmein banata hai’. My mother was my pillar of strength.
Did you, at any point, think of just giving up?
Never! Not at all. That would’ve been the end of me as a filmmaker.
Not even after being assaulted?
Not even then. Every time I was attacked I used my pain and suffering as an impetus to work better. I channelised all my anxiety into making Padmaavat. I think suffering has always been an incentive for my creativity.
Coming to the film, please clarify once and for all whether it is history or not?
It is based on the poem Padmawat by Malik Mohammed Jayasi. But it also has figures and incidents taken from actual history. I have been fascinated by Rani Padmavati from my childhood. Her grace dignity valour and inner strength are very inspiring. I wanted to make a film on her life for a very long time. But before I could do the film I got the chance to direct the stage musical version of Padmavati an opera in two acts by the French composer Albert Roussel that I directed in Paris in 2008.
So is the film at all connected to the opera?
Not at all. That Padmavati was a staged musical done on a lavish scale with elephants tigers and other animals on stage. It was an entirely different experience from the film. This is the first time I explored evil in such dark deep detail. I had never before gone into this zone before. To portray evil on this scale was a new and challenging experience for me.
You were accused by a section of the supposedly enlightened society of endorsing the primitive and barbaric custom of Jauhar?
Nowhere in the entire episode showing these fabulously brave women perishing rather than succumbing to the advances of the invader have I come forward to express my own approval of the practice of jauhar. In Satyajit Ray’s Devi Sharmila Tagore’s character is seen as a victim of blind religious faith. It didn’t mean that Manikda (Ray) was endorsing blind faith.
Ranveer Singh got incredible reviews for his villainous act. Were you at all unsure of his box office status after Befikre, Deepika Padukone after ‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage’ and Shahid Kapoor after Rangoon?
Not at all! It made no difference to me whether they had successes or flops behind them. I wanted these actors and only these three actors. And I am so happy with the quality of performances they gavein my film. God has been very kind. I never thought my film would get into all this trouble. When it did, I never for a moment stopped believing that I had done no wrong. And then to get this approval of the audience. It was very reassuring.
Did you ever think the film may never get released?
I was always sure it will. How could all my hard work go to waste? I toiled over every moment of the film.
Considering what you went through, would you ever go back to history?
I would go back to history if I want to. One can’t allow oneself to be bullied into abandoning one’s dream.
