Rani plays a prostitute in Saawariya

By IndiaFM News Bureau, January 8, 2007 - 08:36 IST
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya is said to be based on a short story titled White Nights written by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The film is a musical set in the British Raj, shot in the location of Simla. Saawariya has been in news for long since it will launch two star kids, Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. The film also stars Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee. Rani plays the role of a prostitute named Gulab in the film.

In the short story, the protagonist is young 26 year old man who is a dreamer. He comes across a young lady at St. Petersburg and their story begins. The story is named White Nights as it is actually a weather phenomenon in St. Petersburg when days are as bright as night. The short story is based on four nights that the protagonists spend together.

Knowing the original story, it seems like Bhansali has chosen the location of Simla and the British Raj era to recreate the same effect in India. White Nights has been adapted into films many times in European and American Cinema. In fact, one of its Hollywood remakes released in 2005. Now it is for us to wait and watch how Sanjay Leela Bhansali re-creates White Nights in India.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali On Shooting Saawariya & His Legal Hassles

By Subhash K. Jha, November 14, 2006 - 11:57 IST
You've completed two schedules of Saawariya…
Saawariya went on the floors after one year of pre-production. It's the most difficult film I've made so far, and not only because of the intricate sets on which we're working. After Black and its sensational performances by Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee I'm working with rank newcomers. Ranbir, Sonam and I are like one big family. Being newcomers I made sure they were not inhibited about expressing themselves. It takes a little more time for them to grasp a scene. But being from illustrious film families their grasping power is remarkable for newcomers. Then I've great technicians like K. Ravi Chandar and Omang Kumar to light up my creativity. I've so far enjoyed myself so much shooting Saawariya I didn't want my two schedules to end.

There's so much curiosity about Saawariya!
I wonder why. A lot of people feel it's shrouded in mystery. I like to work in seclusion. If I constantly talk about my film will that help Saawariya? I'd rather put my energies into the creation rather than its declaration. We're very happy with what we've shot. People from Sony Pictures like Uday Singh came to the sets in Karjat. They loved what they saw.

I'd rather put my energies into the creation rather than its declaration.
Do the newcomers make Saawariya a special challenge?
Yes , because every nuance of theirs is spontaneous. It's up to the director to cultivate their skills. Amitabh Bachchan is a master-performer. He never needed to be told anything. After working with Ranbir and Sonam I've become far more articulate and easy with words than I was during Black. I need to be far more expressive with these kids. They need to know what I want. And when they give the correct expressions they need to be told why they're correct. Some times I love them both. Other times I fire the hell out of them. I've become a far more real person with them because there's no reverent distance between us. I can express myself exactly how I want. Ranbir and Sonam have surrendered themselves completely to the screenplay. They've the right to say what they like to. And I've the same right.

Are Ranbir and Sonam giving you the level of performance that you want?
Oh completely! They've taken me completely by surprise. The decision to take Ranbir and Sonam was right. They look fresh and stunning as a pair. To watch them together is to bring so much joy , life and hope to my creativity. There's no ego ,only innocence and utter surrender before the camera. The hard work that the two kids are putting in , is amazing. I feel I'm moulding clay, watching it take unpredictable and exciting shape in front of me.

I feel I'm moulding clay, watching it take unpredictable and exciting shape in front of me.
The fact that they belong to distinguished film families must count.
Oh yes! But the best thing about Ranbir and Sonam's parents is they never interfere. Rishi Kapoor-Neetu Singh and Anil-Sunita behave as though their kids are in boarding school. Absolutely hands-off . It's so wonderful to have two new actors who are all there, away from all distraction and completely at the disposal of this film. Because Ranbir and Sonam have never acted before they perform and react to the lines in a way that's completely theirs. An established actor would give me responses that I'm familiar with through his or her earlier work, whereas here every shot is a revelation. Suddenly they spring a completely unexpected expression. I've never been more alert as a filmmaker.

Lately you've been through some trying times…There was a court case against you issued by a furniture dealer.
Thank God for this country's judicial system. I can't say trying times are a part of my creative growth. But somehow troubles seem to hound me, chase me, follow me around even as I try to get away from my problems. Maybe that's my destiny. But I don't enjoy it at all. But it was a turbulent period because misinformation and accusations were being thrown around. I believe in the truth, and I'll get justice. Sadly a lot of other issues cropped up at the same time. My mother fell ill. I think the turbulence is a touchstone for an artist. It makes you realize that nothing can shake your faith. The focus never shifted from my work . I firmly believe the more people trouble me the better I get at my work. I've discovered new reserves of energy within me to guard my creativity and self-esteem. I've realized a human being has illimitable depths of inspiration as long as you continue to believe in yourself.

Were you lonely while you fought your legal battle?
Why should I expect everyone to leave his or her work to offer me a shoulder? Not everyone understood the gravity of my legal situation. It was my battle and I fought it. It felt reassuring when people like Amitji sent a message saying he's there for me. My colleagues were concerned for me. They'd never want one of them to go through this victimization just because we're known names.

Why should I expect everyone to leave his or her work to offer me a shoulder?
Saawariya releases next Diwali?
Isn't that exciting! Every big film vies for a Diwali release. Unfortunately none of my films has been released during Diwali. Not that my film's release would've any less relevance if it was released at any other time. But Diwali is my favourite festival. And Saawariya launches two talented new kids. Plus it's a musical love story. Diwali feels like the right time for this one.

I love them, but I fire the hell out of them too'

Saawariya is a love story of a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl?

By IndiaFM News Bureau, October 16, 2006 - 09:38 IST

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is enjoying his new found image on television. Needless to say that he is enjoying being judge on a weekly celebrity dance show Jhalak Dikhala Ja. He is enthusiastically giving comments on choreography these days but when it comes to his forthcoming film Saawariya he prefers to keep everything under wraps.

According to him Saawariya is the most difficult film that he has made so far. This is the first time he is working with newcomers like Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. Even though he is not interested in revealing much details about this film our source says that Saawariya talks about a love story in which a Hindu boy falls in love with a Muslim girl. Is it true Sanjay that Ranbir plays a Hindu boy and Sonam plays a Muslim girl?

Saawariya' in Diwali 2007

By Taran Adarsh, October 10, 2006 - 09:00 IST

One of the biggest films to hit the marquee in 2007 is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s SAAWARIYA, being produced by Hollywood giant Sony Pictures. One is certain, the release of the film, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor, will be nothing short of an event, since Sony plans to release the film with more than 2,000 + prints worldwide.

Now here’s something you didn’t know. And it was officially announced at a lavish get-together by Sony’s Uday Singh last night [9th October] at J.W. Marriott, Juhu.

SAAWARIYA will hit the screens in Diwali 2007. Yes, the date has been fixed and the elite crowd present at the get-together was also shown a brief showreel, which highlighted Bhansali’s past achievements [KHAMOSHI, HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM, DEVDAS, BLACK] and unveiled the logo of his new baby, SAAWARIYA.

'Saawariya' - Sameer's ode to wagging tongues

When maverick moviemaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali roped in lyricist Sameer for "Saawariya", it surprised his critics who had accused him of writing vulgar songs.

"This is my answer to all those who think I don't have it in me to write great poetry," said Sameer, who has penned eight songs for "Saawariya".

He has beaten some of the biggest names in the business of word-wizardry.

"I was in Hyderabad writing something for Sonia Gandhi-ji for a Congress event when Sanjay-ji's assistant called. When I met him Sanjay-ji was so nice. He told me that after thinking about it for one month he decided he only wanted me to write the lyrics.

"He told me he had been listening to only two contemporary Hindi songs -- 'Tumse milna baatein karna' ('Tere Naam') and 'Mohabbatein lutaoonga' (sung by 'Indian Idol' winner Abhijeet Sawant).

"The simplicity and the honesty with which he approached me bowled me over. I never even knew I was being considered. I had written one song for Sanjay-ji in "Devdas" - the Ras Leela song because his lyricist Nusrat Badr in 'Devdas' probably couldn't get the right feel into the lyric.

"I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd actually get to do a whole movie with Sanjay-ji. I heard so many reputed lyricists were being considered."

Sameer throws some light on the quality of music being attempted in "Saawariya".

"It's a very innocent, very pure love story. No one can even imagine what sort of music Sanjay-ji is attempting in 'Saawariya'. Only he can do what he is doing with the music in this film. Only he has the conviction to go completely by what he believes in without bothering with the commercial potential."

All the eight songs have been recorded.

"We have already recorded all the songs. I can't wait for this score to be out. It will silence my critics who still wonder how I write so many lyrics, why I write so much and why I've survived for so long."

Bhansali, who has worked with Majrooh Sultanpuri in "Khamoshi: The Musical", Mehboob in "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", Badr in "Devdas" and Prasoon Joshi in the theme song of "Black", says that Sameer has churned out beautiful love songs which smells of innocence and purity that suits the characters in his film.

"Each one has given me the quality of poetry that I wanted. It has been a satisfying experience to move musically through the beautiful words that these poets have created.

"Now Sameer in 'Saawariya' has given me the simple and innocent words that my protagonists needed to express love. It couldn't have been abstract poetry. It had to be very basic and very heartfelt. Sameer has given me that."

Rishi makes a request

Rajkumar Hirani keeps it, agrees to cast Ranbir Kapoor in his next
Subhash K Jha

And now Rajkumar Hirani is all set to move away from the Munnabhai series to make a film on the rot in our education system and how it's suffocating and strait-jacketing youngsters of our country, not allowing them to express themselves freely.

More interesting than the theme will be the film's leading man. Hirani has agreed to cast Rishi Kapoor's son Ranbir in the lead, on Rishi's say-so.

On September 4, Rishi Kapoor's 54th birthday, the actor saw Raj Kumar Hirani's Lage Raho Munnabhai… "I saw it with the public, who were fully responsive. That's how I like to see my films. And believe me, I was bowled over. It's been ages since any film made me feel so good. We suffer from such a scarcity of screenplay writers. Munnabhai fills that lacuna," says Rishi.

In fact, Rishi was so impressed with with Lage Raho… that he rang up Hirani to shower him with compliments. Touched, Hirani promptly invited Rishi home. That's when Rishi mooted the idea of Raju Hirani directing a film for the long-dormant R.K. Films banner with his son in the lead. However, although Raju Hirani is willing to work with Ranbir, he is not ready to move away from Vinod Chopra's production house.

Says Hirani, "I've the greatest regard for Rishi Kapoor. And to make a film for the RK banner would have been an honour for me. I grew up watching Raj Saab's films, learnt cinema from him. When Mr Rishi Kapoor came home and asked me to make a film for his banner I was flattered. But I've no reason to make films for any banner except Vinod Chopra Production. There's a creative and financial strength to our togetherness. And Vinod gives me absolute freedom to let me do what I want."

However Hirani has willingly agreed to cast Ranbir in his next film. "I've heard only good things about the boy. And the fact that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has cast him says it all. Right now I'm taking a month-long break. Abhijat Joshi and I will finish the first draft of the script by December."

"The film is about striving to be successful, and how the joy of education is gone," he says. Hirani.

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