30-07-2025
'Shah Rukh Khan Said Sabse Bakwas Hai': When Sanjay Leela Bhansali Slammed Devdas BGM Composer
Composer Monty Sharma reveals he postponed his wedding five times while working on Devdas with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, calling the filmmaker short-tempered.
Devdas background score composer Monty Sharma has worked closely with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on several iconic projects, but behind the scenes, it hasn't always been smooth sailing. In a new interview, the musician opened up about what it's really like to collaborate with Bhansali – calling him demanding, sharp, and at times, unpredictable.
Sharma, who worked on the background score of Devdas and composed music for films like Black and Saawariya, said that while Bhansali gave him creative freedom, he also pushed him to the edge more than once. Recalling the intense pressure during the making of Devdas, Sharma revealed, 'I had postponed my wedding 5 times for Devdas."
Things got so hectic that he hadn't even locked in a venue with just two days left until his wedding. That's when he got a call from Bhansali, who was unhappy with the music.
'He called and said, 'Shah Rukh saw the thing and he said 'sabse bakwas background hai (it's the worst background).' What have you done Monty?' I was shocked. I said, 'Sanjay ji, you have listened to the whole thing. How can you say that?'"
When Sharma rushed to the studio, he realised the issue wasn't the score, but the mix.
'I told him, 'Sanjay ji, you don't do all of this, this is not your cup of tea.' That entire thing was redone then," he said.
Describing Bhansali's temperament, Sharma called him 'short-tempered" and said that even when he wasn't directly shouting, everyone around could feel the heat. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for being strict and intense on set, something Ranbir Kapoor experienced early in his career. While assisting Bhansali on Black and later acting in Saawariya, Ranbir said the director could be tough and demanding. He once shared that Bhansali made him kneel for hours and even hit him at times. Though it was a tough experience, Ranbir admitted it helped shape him as an actor and taught him discipline from the start.
About Devdas
Devdas (2002), directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is considered o
ne of the most visually grand and emotionally intense films in Indian cinema. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, the film was based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's classic Bengali novel. Known for its opulent sets, elaborate costumes, and powerful performances, Devdas received critical acclaim and became a cultural landmark.
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