Challenge was more emotional than physical: Bhansali on Jauhar scene
Mumbai
February 16, 2017
Shooting the most iconic sequence in "Padmaavat" was
no bed of roses, recounts filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who describes it as
being an "emotional" challenge.
The Jauhar sequence which forms the
climax of "Padmaavat", was shot in the outdoors of Film City on the outskirts of
Mumbai.
"It was scorching heat and we shot with 350 junior artistes. The
physical discomfort was somehow bearable. But the challenge was more emotional
than physical. By the end of the shooting of the Jauhar sequence, there were
frayed nerves and rising tempers," Bhansali recalled.
The shooting of the
scene went on for a week, and the junior artistes got restless. They would
meander off in groups in between shoots and doze off due to exhaustion. Then
when the shot was ready, there would be a head count.
The Jauhar scene
was specially tough on actress Deepika Padukone who was emotionally drained by
the end of it.
Ranveer Singh was physically ill.
"In the shot
where the women throw hot coal on Ranveer, we used burning rubber tyres to look
like burning coals. Burning rubber sends off a very strong stench. Every time
Ranveer would go into a corner to puke before doing the shot.
"We were
all physically and emotionally exhausted by the time the sequence was shot. To
then have some cynics dismiss the Jauhar sequence as regressive and
socio-politically incorrect is a huge blow to all the hard work that we all
did."
The scene led to lots of debates as some critics felt Bhansali has
glorified the practice of self-immolation.
Mumbai
February 16, 2017
Shooting the most iconic sequence in "Padmaavat" was
no bed of roses, recounts filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who describes it as
being an "emotional" challenge.
The Jauhar sequence which forms the
climax of "Padmaavat", was shot in the outdoors of Film City on the outskirts of
Mumbai.
"It was scorching heat and we shot with 350 junior artistes. The
physical discomfort was somehow bearable. But the challenge was more emotional
than physical. By the end of the shooting of the Jauhar sequence, there were
frayed nerves and rising tempers," Bhansali recalled.
The shooting of the
scene went on for a week, and the junior artistes got restless. They would
meander off in groups in between shoots and doze off due to exhaustion. Then
when the shot was ready, there would be a head count.
The Jauhar scene
was specially tough on actress Deepika Padukone who was emotionally drained by
the end of it.
Ranveer Singh was physically ill.
"In the shot
where the women throw hot coal on Ranveer, we used burning rubber tyres to look
like burning coals. Burning rubber sends off a very strong stench. Every time
Ranveer would go into a corner to puke before doing the shot.
"We were
all physically and emotionally exhausted by the time the sequence was shot. To
then have some cynics dismiss the Jauhar sequence as regressive and
socio-politically incorrect is a huge blow to all the hard work that we all
did."
The scene led to lots of debates as some critics felt Bhansali has
glorified the practice of self-immolation.
Tags: Sanjay Leela BhansaliDeepika PadukoneRanveer SinghPadmaavat