Quotes from Sanjay Leela Bhansali

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?'

My movies are personal notes of my whole life.

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.

Some of the most beautiful people, to me, are those with the wrong geometry. Mother Teresa is extremely beautiful and not because she is a saint. Her characteristics are very strange, and that is what generates the power she had.

One can't allow oneself to be bullied into abandoning one's dream.

My mother was my pillar of strength.

If I am aware of my own limitations, then I can work towards overcoming them.

Of course, an Oscar nomination would have added considerably to the film's business abroad. But it has already made nearly Rs 150 crore. It has done stupendous business overseas. We did a business of Rs 80 crore when we took 'Devdas' to Cannes.

Did Robert De Niro actually look like Al Capone in 'The Untouchables?' Or did Van Kilmer look like Jim Morrison in 'The Doors?' No. It's the core, the essence of the personality that matters.

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.'

Take any movie from 'Khamoshi' to 'Black,' I was always clear about my subjects.

I have always chosen subjects which are little different, and not subjects that you see. That challenges me and the actors who work in the project.

People don't want to always see a comedy or an action film. If the film in a particular genre is made well, then it will see its share of success.

Western music is alien to my ears.

'Ramleela' is my most violent film.

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