Nana Patekar recently opened up about a significant fallout with celebrated director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Nana Patekar, renowned for his candidness and formidable screen presence, recently opened up about a significant fallout with celebrated director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The incident dates back to the filming of the 1996 movie Khamoshi: The Musical, marking one of the early collaborations between the actor and the director.
In a series of interviews while promoting his latest film, The Vaccine War, Patekar shed light on the core of his discontent with Bhansali. The conflict arose from creative differences, particularly Patekar‘s dissatisfaction with certain elements of the film’s production. He felt strongly that Bhansali’s approach at times compromised the authenticity and emotional integrity of the scenes. This disagreement was emblematic of Patekar‘s commitment to realism and his expectation that filmmakers adhere closely to the narrative’s truthful representation.
Nana said in an interview, “It wasn’t just one argument, there were many. But Sanjay is a good director. In the scene, my wife has a heart attack. I’m playing cards with my back to her. She’s behind me. We are both deaf, of course. How would I know what’s happening behind my back? Sanjay wanted me to turn. He said that there is an unspoken bond that a couple shares, but this wasn’t a strong enough reason for me to understand the scene. I said I needed a solid reason.”
The tension between Patekar and Bhansali wasn’t limited to their work on Khamoshi. Years later, Patekar expressed similar disapproval regarding a song from Bhansali’s film Bajirao Mastani. Patekar personally called Bhansali to critique the song “Malhari,” candidly telling him that he found it lacking in substance and alignment with the film’s historical context. He emphasized that filmmakers bear the responsibility to maintain factual accuracy when their works are based on real events, underscoring his dedication to authenticity in storytelling.
Despite these disagreements, Patekar maintains a reputation for his professionalism and his willingness to speak out when he feels the integrity of a project is at stake. His recent revelations offer a glimpse into the complexities of creative collaborations in Bollywood, where strong personalities and divergent visions can sometimes lead to conflicts, yet also drive the industry toward greater artistic integrity.
