Sanjay Leela Bhansali

“Western music is alien to my ears.”

“Every time I read it, I realised 'Bajirao Mastani' must be made. It's such a powerful screenplay.”

“I cannot be casual about my work.”

“To me, love means being free of your own bondage and connecting to another soul.”

“The film industry functions on fraternal feelings. If there is a problem, we solve it in-house.”

“I just wish one of the big American studios had bought 'Devdas.' They would have pitched the film for the Oscars in a big way, like Miramax did with the Chinese film 'Hero.'”

“Bad behaviour on TV is quite nauseating and putting off.”

“Many people ask me why I chose to remake 'Devdas.' I wanted to make a film that celebrated grandeur and grace.”

“I can't begin to describe how humiliating it is for a law-abiding citizen to be cross-examined in a court of law for a crime he hasn't committed.”

“What upset me was that after 'Saawariya,' which came after the awards and rewards of 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,' 'Devdas' and 'Black,' I was written off, almost hounded out of the industry.”

“I don't want to plan my career. That would be a business plan. Filmmaking is not a business plan.”

“All the pain, suffering, love, passion, and conflict have made me what I am.”

“Every director, actor, and even producer gets angry on the sets. Why am I the only one being singled out for losing my cool or being talked about vis-a-vis my anger?”

“I don't think the physical resemblance is as important as capturing the soul of the person that the actor is portraying. How much like Charlie Chaplin did Robert Downey Jr. look in 'Chaplin?' Did Meryl Steep actually resemble Nora Ephron in 'Heartburn?'”

“I gave everything I had to give to 'Devdas.' I knew I would never make a better love story because there is none.”

“It is absolutely important to balance stars with newcomers so the whole chemistry and ambience between people who have never worked before becomes far more explosive and exciting.”

“I am the hardest working director.”

“There is no such thing as human perfection, and yet when you hear Lataji sing, you wonder how she sang that song so beautifully, so perfectly. Or, how Kumar Gandharva touched your soul so powerfully.”

“The first film that I saw of Shammi Kapoor was 'Bhramachari.' I instantly fell in love with the film and connected with Shammiji. His style was natural and unique.”

“With 'Guzaarish' I went through a catharsis.”