Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the renowned filmmaker, is poised to make his OTT debut with the historical drama series ‘Heeramandi.’ Known for his elaborate sets and captivating storytelling, Bhansali has also gained notoriety for his fiery temper. However, actor and filmmaker Shekhar Suman has come to his defense, presenting examples of legendary directors such as Raj Kapoor, K. Asif, and Mehboob Khan who were also known for their short tempers.
In an interview, Shekhar Suman addressed concerns about Bhansali’s anger issues, stating, ‘So what? How does it matter? He has every right to be. Why does he get angry? He’s not a madman. He is a perfectionist.’ Suman believes that perfectionists like Bhansali become impatient with those who fail to meet their high standards, leading to outbursts of anger.
Suman further added, ‘I know of so many people who are legends in their craft but are also short-tempered. K Asif, Mehboob Khan, and Raj Kapoor were all like this. So, it doesn’t matter. It is all fair. In fact, I will tell him (Bhansali), ‘Aur gussa karo’ (Be even angrier). See what he is creating not only for you but also for posterity.’
Suman himself plays the role of Nawab Zulfikar in ‘Heeramandi,’ which boasts an impressive cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Sharmin Segal, Fardeen Khan, and Farida Jalal. Interestingly, Suman was initially approached to play Chunri Babu in Bhansali’s 2002 blockbuster ‘Devdas,’ but scheduling conflicts prevented him from taking on the role.
Concerns about Bhansali’s temper gained traction on social media after actor Ranbir Kapoor shared his experiences working with the director on a talk show. Kapoor described Bhansali as a ‘hard task-master’ whose intense methods led him to briefly quit the film. Despite the challenges, Kapoor made his acting debut in Bhansali’s 2007 film ‘Saawariya’ opposite Sonam Kapoor.
