Bhansali makes a splash on the Opera scene Sanjay Leela Bhansali recieved a standing ovation at the Theatre Du Chatelet in Paris. But this time round, the ovation was not for one of his movies, but for a French opera ballet titled Padmavati.
Bhansali's adaptation of Albert Roussel's 1923 opera-based on the life of Queen Padmavati. The opera tells the lyrical tale of a 13th Century Hindu tragedy from Chitoor in which Queen Padmavati falls prey to a morally reprehensible bargain, where she stabs her husband to save her honor and then commits 'Sati' like any other faithful wife of that era.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is the first Indian to direct an opera in Paris, including a cast that could barely understand English. Nevertheless Bhansali was able to cast his spell with over 300 artists being part of the cast and over seven hundred costumes. The opera was depicted in true bollywood style and of course Bhansali's signature style with exotic sets, lavish costumes and larger than life characters.
The premiere of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's opera -- Padmavati -- was attended by a several celebrities including legendary French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. Indian Actors Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor, who starred in Bhansali's recent production -- Sawariya --� were supposed to attend the premiere but are said to have excused themselves at the last minute. � When the media caught up to the Bhansali and asked him how he felt about the success of Padmavati, his first attempt at opera, he said, “I feel I was born to do opera. V Shantaram’s colourful and flamboyant style of filmmaking was always my forte. On stage, I got a chance to pay homage to Shantaram without bothering about camera angles. Padmavati is me unexpunged. It takes a lot of courage and strength to do something that has been so unexplored.” �It has also been reported that following its success at the Theatre Du Chatelet, Padmavati is now all set to travel to Italy in a month’s time and then to Brazil. Plans are also afoot to showcase Padmavati in India. In this regard, the talks are reportedly on with the Indian government.After everything that went wrong with Bhansali's last box office blunder -- Saawariya --,Padmavati certainly has come as the best amend bringing Sanjay Leela Bhansali back to his lost glory. ... full story »