There is no one like Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Richa Chadha

Netflix recently launched their upcoming slate of movies and series at an event in Mumbai. In total, the platform announced 22 titles and one of them is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus – ‘Heeramandi - The Diamond Bazaar’. The entire star cast of the series was present on this occasion and shared their experiences of working on this project, which is a dream project of Bhansali.

Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions, said, “Bhansali sir actually is the captain of the ship. This journey has been wonderful because Netflix is a partner, and with these beautiful women we have a great show in our hands. We are waiting to share it with the world.”

Sonakshi Sinha was all praise for her fellow actress in the show, Manisha Koirala. “I loved working with Manisha ma’am, she is such a wonderful person. With the body of work that she has behind her, and the films of hers that we have seen over years, she is so respected, stunning, beautiful, elegant, just wow! When I worked with her, I realised how beautiful a person she is by the way she conducts herself on the 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.”

Manisha Koirala, who had worked with Bhansali in his first film, ‘Khamoshi’, is teaming up with the director again after nearly 25 years. Speaking on this, she said, “We all have tried to do our best because we are working with a master. To be working with Sanjay after 25 years since in his first film ‘Khamoshi’ can’t get better than that. It has been a humongous journey. I have seen him grow as an artist, as a maestro, as a genius – he is India’s best and greatest filmmaker. We are lucky to be working, sweating and trying to perfect our act. We are dying to show it to everybody.”

On her experience in ‘Heeramandi’, Sharmin Sehgal, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s niece, said, “As an artist, it is a privilege to be working with Sanjay sir, whether it’s on OTT or in a theatre. On the other hand, working with Sanjay sir on a web series, it is a different ball game altogether for an actor. It is not just one movie, it’s like doing eight films together! I have assisted sir on ‘Bajirao Mastani’, and watching him adapt to the format of the web series was a privilege.”

Sanjeeda Shaikh, who is making her debut on OTT with ‘Heeramandi’, said, “I had dreamt of working with Bhansali sir and that dream has come true today. Everyone wants to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It is a big deal for me to be one of his leading ladies. So, I am honoured to be part of ‘Heeramandi’. All the actors in this web series are very special to me.” 

Aditi Rao Hydari had earlier worked with Bhansali on ‘Padmaavat’. This is her second collaboration with the director. On working with Bhansali, Aditi said that it had 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 more time. What I find incredible about the experience is the fact that his soul goes into everything that he does. He eats, lives, and breathes his characters, there is so much passion in him. I am grateful for the challenges that he throws at me; there is so much love and pride, he is always pushing you to do your best. I am grateful for that experience and I hope I get it multiple times. I love him!”

Richa Chadha was part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film ‘Goliyon Ki Raslila Ram Leela’. Shedding light on Bhansali’s process of working, Richa said, “I don’t think there is anyone in the industry who can give you a costume weighing 30 kg, make you take eight rounds, and then have you drop a tear from your left eye, just to take a close-up shot! There truly is no one like him. An actor is hungry to grow, and he will push you to do your best. I met Rani Mukerji the other day, and she said, ‘Till you work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you don’t know your own potential’. I think that is very true.”