Q. "Rowdy Rathore" is being seen as a
work of compromised art by people who expect you to make
"Devdas", "Black" and "Guzaarish"?
A. Why would I only produce the films that I'd want to
direct myself? Why shouldn't I produce the kind of films
that perhaps somewhere I enjoy watching, have grown up watching?
My father(Naveen Bhansali) produced a film called "Jahaaji
Lootera". Somewhere in my subconscious, "Jahaaji
Lootere" has remained embedded. It has now surfaced
in "Rowdy Rathore".
Q. But critics who associate you with the aesthetics
of "Black" are shocked?
A. Luckily all kinds of films are being made today. But
the one genre that continues its successful run is the potboiler.
It cuts across all sections of the audience. "Rowdy
Rathore" is the kind of film I used to clap and cheer
for as a child at Alankar Talkies and Imperial Talkies alike.
Last week, when I visited Chandan Talkies, members of the
audience came forward to shake my hand and hug me warmly.
It's something I've never experienced after any of my own
self-directed films. It's all new to me. And I'm enjoying
myself thoroughly.
No one can make me feel guilty or apologetic just because
I've had as much fun producing "Rowdy Rathore"
as I dad directing "Black". I feel rejuvenated.
Q. So is "Rowdy Rathore" going to be
the new benchmark of Sanjay Leela Bhansali productions?
A. Not the films I direct. I'm very convinced about my
aesthetics. I'm very proud of "Black" and "Guzaarish".
But I'm not new to mass acceptance. My "Devdas"
had created the same euphoria. Lataji (Lata Mangeshkar)
sings the soft "Allah tero naam" and the massy
"Bangle ke peeche" with equal flawlessness. I
can't claim to be as versatile. I will direct the films
I am comfortable with. The films I direct will continue
to reveal my aesthetics.
Q. So you did it for the box office?
A. No, for the joy of making the kind of cinema I grew
up watching. No one can predict the outcome at the box office
and make films accordingly. But who doesn't want to produce
successful films? "Devdas" was made within the
popular format. But the aesthetics were different from "Rowdy
Rathore".
I can't direct the films that Prabhu Deva can. I admit
I wouldn't be comfortable doing this. It comes naturally
to Prabhu Deva. I want to produce such films. It isn't easy
to make "Rowdy Rathore". It requires a lot of
skill to make the kind of cinema where audiences jump out
of their seats whistling and clapping.
Q. Is "Rowdy Rathore" a new beginning
for you?
A. As a human being, I've lately become far more outgoing.
I enjoy the changes in me. The suffering and intensity can
never leave me. I now look forward to the sunshine and that
will reflect in my next film I direct. It has two of the
sunniest stars Kareena Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.
Q. How will "Rowdy Rathore" change your
attitude to filmmaking?
A. As a filmmaker, "Rowdy Rathore" has opened
new doors in my vision. A certain kind of flamboyance will
be part of the film I direct and produce henceforth. "Rowdy
Rathore" has put me in a happy positive frame of mind.
Q. What are you producing next?
A. Another south Indian remake. Of course, remakes are
the easy way out. I produced an original script "My
Friend Pinto". No one came to see it. I want to make
films that reach out to a wide audience.
BOLLYWOOD 
