Music composer Monty Sharma recently opened up about his challenging yet creatively rich collaboration with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, including how the making of “Devdas” forced him to postpone his wedding five times.
Life with a “Hard Taskmaster”
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is widely known as a demanding perfectionist. His long-time musical collaborator, Monty Sharma, who worked on films like “Black” and “Saawariya,” and provided background music for “Devdas,” recently shared insights into their dynamic.
Sharma revealed that while Bhansali offered significant artistic freedom, he also made unconventional demands. Despite their professional bond, Bhansali’s temperament often led to intense moments on set.
Demands for “Magic” and Orchestral Grandeur
Recalling the making of “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,” Sharma shared an amusing anecdote about Bhansali’s quest for “magic.” The director repeatedly urged him to create something extraordinary, to which Sharma humorously retorted that he was a musician, not a magician like PC Sorcar.
Another instance involved the title song for the same film. Bhansali requested an orchestra with 60 violins. Just as the recording was about to begin, he asked Sharma to “add something more,” prompting Sharma to liken it to adding just the right amount of salt to a dish.
The “I Snapped” Moment During Devdas
The intense process of “Devdas” led to one of Sharma’s most memorable confrontations with Bhansali. The director was keen on extensively using the song “Silsila Yeh Chahat Ka” in the background score, a creative choice Sharma disagreed with.
Bhansali confronted Sharma, questioning his decisions and stating that people listen to songs, not background music. In a moment of frustration, Sharma snapped. He instructed his assistant to remove all thematic music and fill the background with only songs.
However, Bhansali soon called him back, admitting that “assistants bug him” and encouraged Sharma to continue working with his own conviction. This exchange highlighted the complex push and pull of their creative partnership.
A Wedding Delayed Five Times
Perhaps the most personal impact of Bhansali’s demanding style on Sharma was the repeated postponement of his wedding. He revealed that his nuptials were delayed five times due to the intense production schedule of “Devdas.”
Just two days before one of his scheduled wedding dates, Bhansali called, criticizing the background score and claiming even Shah Rukh Khan found it “the worst.” Sharma, shocked, rushed to the studio only to discover someone had indeed messed up the mixing.
He confronted Bhansali, who then allowed the entire segment to be redone. This incident underscores the extreme pressures and unexpected challenges faced during the making of such a magnum opus.
Bhansali’s Unique Temperament
Monty Sharma described Sanjay Leela Bhansali as a “short-tempered” individual who doesn’t always yell at the direct source of his anger. Instead, he might project his frustration onto others, creating an atmosphere where his displeasure is broadly felt.
- Composer Monty Sharma worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on films like “Black,” “Saawariya,” and “Devdas.”
- He had to postpone his wedding five times due to the demanding schedule of “Devdas.”
- Sharma had creative clashes with Bhansali, including an incident where he “snapped” over background music choices.
- Bhansali is described as a “hard taskmaster” with a unique way of expressing anger.
These revelations offer a fascinating glimpse into the intense creative process behind some of Bollywood’s most iconic films and the sacrifices made by those behind the scenes.
