Bhansali lashes out against SRK and Saif for ridiculing him

Noted film expert, author and NDTV's consulting editor, films, Anupama Chopra interviewed Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Paris. The show, aired over the weekend, featured clips of Bhansali's mega musical Padmavati, being staged in Paris, and was also successful in getting Bhansali to finally react to a lot of things.

Sporting a kurta and a shawl, Bhansali, seemed prepared to face the questions when Chopra asked him about the barbs directed at him in recent times. She was referring to the Filmfare award ceremonies where Saawariya and Bhansali were the objects of ridicule, especially in the hands of star anchors Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. (Read all about it: SRK and Saif's Filmfare antics )

"They have no dignity," said Bhansali. "It makes me upset when people (like Shah Rukh) who have worked with me, say and do the things they did. I cannot ever imagine Mr Bachchan or Naseeruddin Shah to do something like this," said Bhansali, adding, "I respect them a lot." The 'mockery' as Bhansali put it, was completely uncalled for. Not stopping at that, Bhansali went on to express his displeasure about the platform that gave them the license to behave in such an unsavoury fashion and the people "who found the whole thing funny and sat through it all, laughing." Such undignified behaviour affects the credibility of the award ceremony as well, he added. "I don't know why they behaved like that," he sighed.

Bhansali also reacted to Chopra's question on the media backlash to Saawariya, saying,"In some cases the attacks were getting personal. But I grew stronger with every criticism."

It was obvious Bhansali holds his baby dear, when he said, "All those who said they hated my film, actually know how important a film it is." (He sounded eerily like Subhash Ghai, who maintains Yaadein, the BO disaster, will be considered a classic some day). Arrogance you would say? Well, the director, who is now basking in the glory of his Parisian opera, offered this, "I am indulgent yes, but not arrogant. I come from the Vidhu Vinod Chopra school of filmmaking."

Well, Mr Chopra is not modesty personified, is he now?

Among other things, Anupama Chopra's crisp interview touched upon the musical itself, and Bhansali explained why Padmavati, the story of a princess who commits Sati is not a 'tragedy.' "It takes a lot of courage to be able to set oneself on fire," said Bhansali. The director said the virtues of pride and honour make Padmavati a story of strength.

Even then, one was actually waiting for Bhansali to resurface thus, post his Saawariya debacle, the severe backlash, the merciless jibes and most importantly, the mockery of his craft on a platform such as the Filmfare awards and to some extent the Screen awards. It was actually quite good to see the director keeping himself away from all this and gainfully occupied. Though he cleverly evaded all questions about his romantic liaisons (with choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant), Bhansali, seemed calmer and more collected than he's been in a long time. Maybe it's the weather in Paris.

Anupama Chopra, NDTV