Sanjay Leela Bhansali is not an easy director to work with: Barkha Bisht

While the whole industry is raving about Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, the beautiful and talented Barkha Bisht is also getting a lot of bouquets for her performance in the movie as Ram’s sister-in-law Kesar. Tellychakkar.com caught up with her for a brisk chat on the same. Excerpts: Firstly, we wish to congratulate you on the success of Ram-Leela. What do you feel about Kesar and your journey in this super hit romantic extravaganza? (Gives a broad smile) Thank you very much. Kesar is a real, rustic and level-headed woman in a male dominated society. The biggest challenge for me was the climax scene with Supriya Pathak as I always knew that she is a great actress. But the chatter on set was that she was par excellence in this film. In fact I was really scared to match up to her. Your experience of working with Bhansali? (Blushes) Sanjay sir is not a very easy director to work with. He is extremely strict as far as performance is concerned. Whatever you see me doing in the film is what he has extracted out of me. He literally held me by my finger and led me throughout the film. Normally when TV actors play character roles in big films they get lost in the crowd. Your comments… Yes, but luckily for me and Sharad Kelkar, we got lots of screen space and attention. The makers delivered on celluloid what was promised to us on paper. To honestly tell you, initially I was nervous about how I would be presented on screen. But now I am quite proud of the efforts I put in. Will Ram-Leela prove to be the game changer for you? (Pauses) I never plan. When I signed this film, it was my break into Hindi films. Prior to this, I had done only an item number in Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti. And for your information I have done many Bengali flicks but not one in Hindi. Also the set up was very important. I am just happy to have got kudos for my role. It will be good if I get more offers based on my performance in this film, but I am not thinking too much on those lines right now. Your take on TV vs films? I will never take a break from TV. Though I am not doing anything on the small screen at the moment, I am looking at good work, the medium is secondary. Did the Bollywood biggies treat you well on the sets? (Pauses) Since I did not have any scenes with Deepika (Padukone), I don’t know how she is professionally. We only met a couple of times and she was quite sweet and cordial. I can talk about Ranveer Singh though, for we worked together in a few scenes. He was extremely down-to-earth and friendly. Not once did he make it appear that he is a film star and I am a TV actor. I remember one scene where he sees me as a widow and I see him as a don for the first time. It was a very emotional scene and was requiring several retakes. I got a bit upset and told him that I am not used to so much of detailing and attention to a character. In TV we just give one take and it is mostly enough. He just hugged me and said don’t worry you are doing well and are much better than many other new comers. What does your hubby Indraneil (Sengupta) has to say about your role? (Smiles) He is my best critic but, at the same time, he is also biased as he is my better half. Indraneil was quite happy with my work. As a matter of fact, he had only heard from me about the going ons on the sets but never saw the rushes. However, he did say there was always scope for improvement.