The 2002 film Devdas starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in important roles is remembered for its grand visuals, emotional storytelling and powerful music. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film set a benchmark in Indian cinema for its sheer scale and aesthetic richness. The background score, composed by Monty Sharma, played a key role in bringing the tragic love story to life. But while the result was beautiful, the journey behind it was far from easy.
Monty Sharma who has worked closely with Bhansali on several films recently opened up about the pressures he faced while working on Devdas. He revealed that Bhansali, although creatively generous, could be extremely demanding. During the intense production period, Monty Sharma had to postpone his wedding five times due to work commitments. Things became so chaotic that just two days before the wedding, he hadn’t even booked a venue.
Amidst this, he received a call from Bhansali who was furious after hearing the score. He mentioned that Shah Rukh Khan had criticised it harshly saying, “it’s the worst background”, leaving Monty Sharma shocked and confused, especially since Bhansali himself had approved the music earlier.
When Monty Sharma rushed to the studio, he discovered that the real issue was not the composition but how it had been mixed. He had to redo the entire segment, pointing out to Sanjay Leela Bhansali that sound engineering wasn’t his strength.
Monty Sharma also spoke about Bhansali’s temper, saying that even when he was not yelling, the atmosphere around him could feel tense. Bhansali’s intense nature is something many of his collaborators have experienced, including actor Ranbir Kapoor. Ranbir, who assisted the director during Black and later acted in Saawariya, described the filmmaker as extremely strict.
Ranbir Kapoor recalled being made to kneel for hours and even being hit during his early days, which though difficult, taught him discipline and shaped his approach to acting.
Both Monty Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor agree that working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is emotionally challenging but ultimately rewarding. Their stories show that behind the magic of Bhansali’s films lies a creative process marked by pressure, passion and an unyielding drive for perfection.
Which movie directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali you like the most?
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