In a candid revelation that reads like a scene from one of his own epic films, acclaimed director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has shared the mesmerizing moment he first met Deepika Padukone, now one of Bollywood‘s most celebrated actresses.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali mesmerised by Deepika Padukone’s beauty
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the visionary filmmaker behind masterpieces like “Padmaavat” and “Bajirao Mastani” described being rendered speechless when Padukone opened her door during their initial meeting.
“I froze at the beauty of the woman, by the eyes, when I realized that there’s so much of subtlety, so much of fragility, there’s so much of beauty,” Bhansali recalled, his words painting the picture of what would become a transformative moment in Indian cinema.
Here’s what he said about Deepika Padukone:
The director, known for his keen eye for talent and aesthetics, found himself captivated not just by Padukone’s visual presence but also by her voice, which he described as “beautiful.” This encounter led to one of Bollywood’s most successful director-actor partnerships, spawning three blockbuster films that have redefined modern Indian cinema.
“Then I realized I was at the right place at the right time because I knew this girl would be moulded, would be taken somewhere,” Bhansali shared, adding, “It’s your instinct of how you connect. Your soul has to connect to their soul.” This artistic connection first manifested in their 2013 collaboration, “Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela,” which also starred Ranveer Singh, launching a new era in both their careers.
The partnership between Bhansali and Padukone has since produced some of Indian cinema’s most visually stunning and commercially successful films, establishing both as powerhouses in their respective fields.
Watch Deepika Padukone as Lady Singham:
Looking ahead, fans can anticipate Padukone’s next appearance in “Singham Again,” where she joins Ajay Devgn in Rohit Shetty’s action-packed police universe, scheduled for a Diwali release. However, her first meeting with Bhansali remains a pivotal moment that helped shape her extraordinary journey in Bollywood.