Latest news with #Bhansali
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Angry Sanjay Leela Bhansali would hurl objects at me if I moved even slightly': Sooraj Pancholi recalls experience as SLB's assistant on Guzaarish
Actor Sooraj Pancholi, who assisted filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the film Guzaarish, recalled the experience. He said that he was the sixth or seventh assistant on the Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai-starrer, and had got the job as a teenager. Sooraj, the son of actors Zarina Wahab and Aditya Pancholi, lives in the same building as Bhansali. But, he said in a new interview, he no longer feels worthy of working with him. 'I'll approach him only for a lead role, and that too when I make a name for himself,' he said. Over the years, several of Bhansali's past collaborators have opened up about his temper. Appearing on the Hindi Rush podcast, he was asked about his experience on the film Guzaarish. 'I would get scolded a lot, perhaps more than anyone else. I was the last AD, so I got a lot of gaalis from him. My job was also to sit on Hrithik sir's seat for lighting, and if you look left or right, a file would come flying at you. Not a mic… I learnt a lot. It's like how a mother is with her son. Agar do padenge nahi toh beta seekhega nahi (If you don't get smacked, you won't learn),' he said. Also read – 'They locked me up in Ajmal Kasab's jail cell': Sooraj Pancholi opens up about incarceration despite protests from his PR He said that he lives on the second floor, while Bhansali lives on the fourth floor of the same building. Asked if he has ever approached the filmmaker for an acting role, he said, 'No. I'll only approach him for work when I feel worthy, when I feel like I've made a name for himself. I'm not going to approach him for a side role, I'll only approach him for a lead role.' He said that he got the job as his assistant after having a chance encounter with Bhansali. Several others have made similar comments about Bhansali in the past. At an event in 2021, Ranbir Kapoor had accused Bhansali of being physically violent with him when they worked together on Black. 'When I assisted Mr (Sanjay Leela) Bhansali (on Black), he used to really treat me as an assistant director. I used to be kneeling down for hours, he used to hit us, he used to abuse us… that only hardens you and prepares you for the world,' he said. He later told Neha Dhupia that he would never work with Bhansali again, but he changed his stance later, and they're now working together on Love & War. In an interview with India Today, Bhansali addressed complaints about his temper, and said, 'If I'm not getting what I want, even if I lose my temper, what is wrong in it? If you're not getting a shot, and if someone is spoiling it, what will you do? People have made stories that I'm angry, that I'm badly behaved…'
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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Rupee extends gains on weak Dollar; opens 17 paise higher at 85.05/$
Indian Rupee opened with gains on Monday, in line with other Asian currencies, amid a weaker US dollar. This followed its sharpest single-day gain since November 2022 in the previous session. The domestic currency began trading 17 paise stronger at 85.05 against the US dollar, after ending at 85.22 on Friday, according to Bloomberg. The domestic unit has weakened 0.66 per cent so far this month. Meanwhile, the Korean won, Thai baht, and Indonesian rupiah have gained between 2.5 per cent and 5.5 per cent. The gain in current follows Reserve Bank of India's recent surplus transfer of ₹2.69 trillion to the government, which fell short of some market projections ranging up to ₹3 trillion. The RBI dividend represents a substantial and durable infusion of liquidity into the system. However, its impact on system liquidity will become evident only when government expenditure begins to accelerate. After reversing course on Friday from a low of 86.06 to 85.10, the Indian Rupee is expected to open slightly stronger at 85.03 on Monday morning, according to Anil Kumar Bhansali, head of treasury and executive director at Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP. "The session coincides with a US holiday, leading to subdued market flows, while five mainboard IPOs are set to launch this week." The outflows of MSCI tomorrow could be a trigger for the rupee to weaken a bit from tomorrow, Bhansali added. The dollar index continued to face pressure after US President Donald Trump extended the deadline for 50 per cent European Union tariffs until July 9. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies, was down 0.3 per cent at 98.81. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) could potentially continue selling due to a narrowing bond yield differential between Indian and US 10-year bonds. Global funds have already pulled out ₹4,000 crore from the Indian bond market last week (excluding Friday), the highest in over a month, compounding rupee pressure. Crude oil prices edged higher on easing trade tensions after Trump's deadline extensions for the EU. Brent crude price was up 0.31 per cent to $64.98 per barrel, while WTI crude prices were 0.31 per cent higher at 61.72, as of 9:22 AM IST.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Kesari Veer movie review: Sooraj Pancholi, Suniel Shetty's historical drama suffers from a Chhaava, Padmaavat hangover
Setting out to make a historical drama is a mammoth task, especially when the Bhansali hangover is a real thing. It simply means that any other epic made for the big screen will inevitably be compared to his larger-than-life films—replete with stunning frames, meticulously detailed sets, and high points in the story that often make up for other flaws. Kalank (2019) was a victim. Kesari Veer falls prey to that hangover too. While filmmakers can try to replicate the aesthetics, nothing comes close to the performances Bhansali manages to extract from his actors. From Ranveer Singh in Padmaavat to Priyanka Chopra in Bajirao Mastani, many have delivered the best work of their careers under his direction. Kesari Veer? It falters on both fronts. Directed by Prince Dhiman, Veer Kesari revolves around Hamirji Gohil, a warrior who stands up for Saurashtra and the Somnath Temple, which Zafar Khan (Vivek Oberoi) is hell-bent on destroying. Aiding Hamirji in his mission is Vegdaji (Suniel Shetty) and other members of the Bhil tribe. Do they manage to fend off the invaders? Watch the film to find out. The first half of Kesari Veer confuses the viewer—is it a war drama? A biopic? Entry sequences for each of the three main characters—Hamirji, Vegdaji, and Rajal (Akanksha Sharma)—are as bland as they are OTT. Suniel gets a solid makeover, but that's about it. Characters flit in and out of the story with little impact. Vivek Oberoi as Zafar attempts to channel the madness of Ranveer's Khilji from Padmaavat, but ends up hamming quite a bit. The second half becomes progressively—and unintentionally—funny. Sooraj's character, pressed for time and setting out for war, literally riding out on horseback, is intercepted by his love interest Rajal. She wants to be his wife 'if only for one day'—and the film cuts to an elaborate wedding sequence. Apparently, that was more important, despite the invaders being at the doorstep. Only after the wedding night does our hero get back to the pending task. And of course, there's the visual nod to that famous line from Padmaavat: '…jiska sar kate, phir bhi dhad dushman se ladta rahe, voh Rajput!' We told you—the Bhansali hangover is hard to shake. Seems even Veer Kesari's makers couldn't. The climax seems to have taken 'inspiration' from Chhaava's brilliant battle scene where Vicky Kaushal's character and his team fight near a water body—outnumbered, but not giving up. Despite all this, Kesari Veer could have worked as a decent historical drama. But its biggest shortcoming is its hero—Sooraj Pancholi. The man just doesn't emote! Growing one's hair for a role doesn't magically grant acting abilities. Suniel Shetty tries to lend some gravitas, but the story lets him down. Akanksha Sharma as Rajal is average, and falters in a key scene where she had the chance to shine. The VFX here is shoddy too. The music by Monty Sharma is okay, though the incessant song placements could have been avoided. Overall, the heart of Kesari Veer's makers lies in the right place, no doubt. But noble intentions rarely guarantee a good cinematic experience.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: Untold stories from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan starrer
Sanjay Leela Bhansali 's 1999 classic 'Hum dil de chuke Sanam' isn't just remembered for its soulful music and rich visuals, it's also a film wrapped in intriguing behind the scenes stories that only add to its timeless charm. For starters, while the second half of the movie is set in Italy, the scenic sequences featuring Aishwarya Rai were actually filmed in Hungary. Bhansali felt Italy would resonate more with the audience emotionally and so the setting remained Italian in the script even though the locations weren't. The journey of casting Nandini was just as cinematic. When Bhansali met Aishwarya at the screening of 'Raja Hindustani,' he was captivated by her eyes, calling them 'like fire.' At that moment he knew, "yehi toh hai meri Nandini." Aishwarya, fully committed to the role, even danced to the iconic 'Nimbooda' number with swollen feet after a chandelier accident on set. Interestingly, the film's title was initially 'Dil to humne diya Sanam.' And the role of Vanraj, ultimately played by Ajay Devgn had quite a long list of contenders including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and even Sunny Deol. Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor Khan declined the role of Nandini after feeling she was too young for the movie. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo The film's music, a pillar of its emotional strength, was the result of two years of collaboration between Bhansali and composer Ismail Darbar. The director even cast Smita Jaykar as Nandini's mother after his own mother admired her performance in the Doordarshan series 'Ghutan.' Another emotional detail: Salman Khan 's character Sameer often looked up to the sky and spoke to his late father, a trait borrowed from Bhansali's own childhood habit. 'Hum dil de chuke Sanam' also sparked real-life headlines as the on-screen chemistry between Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai eventually blossomed into a real-life romance. And if you're wondering where it all began, Bhansali took inspiration from 'Na Hanyate' a Bengali novel by Maitreyi Devi, based on her own life. These lesser-known nuggets make revisiting 'Hum dil de chuke Sanam' even more special—a film where every frame held not just a story, but a slice of the filmmaker's soul. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Pink Villa
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal's drastic weight loss for Love & War will leave you speechless; can you guess how many kilos they shed?
Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal are set to appear together in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's forthcoming film, Love & War. Fans are eagerly anticipating the release, which will also feature Alia Bhatt in a leading role. Meanwhile, latest reports suggest that both actors are currently undergoing significant physical transformations, losing nearly 10 to 15 kgs for the film. According to News18, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal have each shed over 10 kilograms to prepare for their roles in Love & War. An insider revealed that Ranbir has lost 12 kg while Vicky has dropped 15 kg for their characters in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming project. The source added that this significant physical transformation is expected to captivate audiences on screen. Further details about the film are still awaited. Earlier this year, during a meet and greet event in Mumbai, Ranbir Kapoor spoke about the project Love & War. He described it as every actor's dream to work alongside talented actors like Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, and to be directed by the legendary Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Ranbir recalled his previous collaboration with Bhansali 17 years ago and praised the filmmaker's dedication, saying that he had never met anyone who works so hard or understands characters, emotions, music, and Indian culture as deeply as Bhansali does. He admitted that while working on Bhansali's set can be tiring and the process lengthy and challenging, it is ultimately very rewarding. Ranbir added that Bhansali truly nurtures art, making the experience incredible for the actors involved. Pinkvilla earlier reported that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is shaping Love & War as a film centered on a rivalry between Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The story focuses on two strong-willed men, portrayed by Ranbir and Vicky, who are engaged in a tug-of-war over Alia Bhatt' s character. The source mentioned that Bhansali has already filmed some intense confrontation scenes between the two actors and expressed great satisfaction with their performances, praising their remarkable screen presence. Additionally, the source shared that Bhansali is enjoying the shooting process with the trio, as Ranbir, Alia, and Vicky are fully embracing his creative vision. The shoot is reportedly progressing smoothly, with the film on schedule for a March 2026 release.
