Sanjay Leela Bhansali credited Vidhu Vinod Chopra for giving him his break in Bollywood, sharing that he got his start as an assistant director working with Chopra for eight years. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Bhansali revealed that his entry into the industry wasn't easy and happened thanks to Vidhu’s ex-wife, Renu Chopra.
How Sanjay Leela Bhansali entered film industry
Sanjay Leela Bhansali explained, “My walking into the film world was impossible. How did this boy living near Bhindi Bazaar would come here? That boy never spoke well, had no friends, who had no influence but there is a path, and it’s a long path.”
Bhansali’s sister, Bela Segal, who worked with Chopra, played a crucial role in helping him. He said, “My sister worked with Vidhu Vinod Chopra. She approached his ex-wife Renu Chopra, who forced him to take me. Vinod Chopra came and in his characteristic style, he dismissed me. Then he accepted me, and I worked with him for 8 years.”
Reflecting on his experience with Chopra, Bhansali expressed deep gratitude: “He made me iron and steel. After working with him for 8 years, you can face anything in the world. Till date if Vinod Chopra’s call comes, I stand up and talk. That is the gratitude I feel towards somebody who changed my life.”
During his time with Chopra, Bhansali worked on 'Parinda' as an assistant director and co-wrote '1942: A Love Story'. They were also supposed to collaborate on 'Kareeb' (1998), but a reported fallout over Bhansali declining to direct the film led him to make his directorial debut with 'Khamoshi: The Musical' instead.
Since then, Bhansali has delivered numerous iconic films, including 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Devdas', 'Black', 'Saawariya', and his latest series 'Heeramandi'. He is currently working on 'Love and War', starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal.