जीवनी

Sanjay Leela Bhansali

His work has passionate (and often damaged) individuals reaching out to each other over great distances to connect with each other.
His films often feature emotional pain and trauma being exprienced by his protagonists.
Dedicates all his films to his deceased father

Conceives his films in a unique fashion - he designs the film soundtrack first and then creates the film.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali always wanted to direct Fardeen Khan in a film. He had a written a small role for him in Black but later decided to scrap it. He always felt there was untapped talent and huge potential in Fardeen Khan.
In 2015, he was awarded the fourth highest Indian civilian honor, the Padma Shri. Another addition to his honor tally along with his four National Awards and Six Filmfare Awards.
After Khamoshi, Bhansali had plans to make the film "Train To Pakistan" with Bobby Deol. The film ended up being made by someone else for unknown reasons.
Frequently sneaks scenes from his life into his films.

At the premiere of Black (2005): Until recently I didn't even have a proper office. I've just a couple of staffers, hence my agitation and anxiety at the premiere. I single-handedly sent out all the invitations, called up every person individually and made sure they were all there at the premiere. I agree this isn't the way for me to function. But I'm basically a middle class boy from the chawls. I can't bring myself to trust others to do my work.
Black for you may be darkness; for me it is a universal truth. Our best ideas come from the darkness of the mind; every new life is created in the darkness of the womb...
On disabled children: The physically challenged are not children of a lesser god. They're far more beautiful than the so-called normal people. They appreciate every shade of life, like my protagonist in Black (2005). She's a true-blue hero.
Deep down, the disadvantaged are angry with life. They want to see/hear/talk, but are constantly groping in the dark. They are so insecure about communication that there is a whole surrender in it. They get angry over the smallest of things! Imagine the frustrations of not being fully understood...anger is an important part of their expression.
About Alzheimer's disease: The idea of forgetting...things, names, persons...terrifies me. When I forget a little thing, it is an absolute trauma until it comes back to me again. All of us have these lapses of memory - what if memory doesn't return?