Ranveer-Deepika were destined to be together; Priyanka had faith in me: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Photo: a film still

On Ranveer-Deepika's real life chemistry:

"Ranveer and Deepika got close not because they worked in my films but because they were destined to be close. They have a certain understanding and chemistry, which is why they are together. I've never asked them if they are together. My job is to look at them like Bajirao and Mastani, Ram and Leela."

Photo: a film still

On how difficult was it to convince Priyanka Chopra for Bajirao Mastani:

"Yes, it was because it was about Bajirao and Mastani. We discussed and we brainstormed. She understood it was a powerful role though it was not a title role. But it was audience friendly. Kashi allows her husband to go where his love was. Priyanka had faith that I would be doing something special with her, which we discovered as we shot. When she saw BM on screen, she drove 45 minutes to my friend's house just to hug me. She said, "Thank God! I did this film and thank you for making this film." I said the same to her."

Photo: screen grab

On his faith in Box Office success:

"Yes, absolutely. Having said that, I'm not new to failure nor am I new to success. My first film Khamoshi was a failure. After that, nothing can rattle me. If I could take that, then I can take anything. I remember they called it the Razia Sultan (Bollywood film) of the '90s. But one must remember that cinema is an expensive art. You invest a lot of money in it.

However pure and esoteric your idea of making a film is, it's still an expensive business. There's an audience paying to buy the ticket. It has to work. When Saawariya didn't work, it hurt. I failed to make a film, which connected with the audience. Box Office success also brings in money to make your next film. If you don't deliver, people will hesitate to put money on you."