Quotes from Sanjay Leela Bhansali

There is dignity in being a celebrity. Let us not lose that dignity.

If you compromise in the casting it is bound to expose eventually.

It's been a journey of great stress and awakening. I have given my blood sweat and tears to 'Padmavati.'

I have been fascinated by Rani Padmavati from my childhood.

I am a fearless filmmaker.

Show me one director who does not get angry on their assistant for something that has gone wrong. But it is done out of my love. It's just fun when I tell them to face a wall and stand or kneel down in a corner. It's not like I want to punish them harshly. It's not to humiliate; it is to teach.

It's pure joy to see some people who've never had the chance to live their dream, come on stage, and let loose.

I am trying to pursue excellence.

You can do a formula film and walk the conventional path, but it may not work at all.

Friendship and loyalty shouldn't come in the way of casting.

Once a film is selected at Cannes, the crossover becomes very easy, thanks to the prestige and dignity it gains at Cannes.

The first thing I do after I wake up is switch on the music player and the last thing I do before going to sleep is stop it.

Shah Rukh made 'Devdas' for me, and I made it for him. He's special to me, and I think I am special for him. We are and will always be good friends.

Though all festivals are important, this Cannes Festival starts off the season.

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

A man is not capable of giving the way a woman gives. She is stronger. When a woman sacrifices, it lends her grace and beauty.

'Jhalak' was a wonderful experience, but it was important for me to get back to films, since I am a director too.

I am extremely proud that our cinema is being recognised in the West. I want Indian cinema to get its dignity, not by giving them the kind of films they expect from us, but by making cinema in a way that carries the legacy of the mainstream masters forward.

Think of Hridaynath Mangeshkar's 'Mira bhajans.' I have bought these records three to four times, as I listen to them so often.

I have grown up watching films in single screens where people would get up and dance in the aisles. With 'Rowdy Rathore,' I want to recreate the same magic.

I am the hardest working director.

I faced failure with my first film, 'Khamoshi.' All of us have our highs and lows, except Lata Mangeshkar.

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.

Bollywood works as hard as regional cinema makers.