9 years of Ram Leela: Sanjay Leela Bhansali compares Deepika-Ranveer starrer with ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Devdas’

Celebrating nine years of its success, the romance drama Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Bhansali pondered on the action in the movie, the chemistry between Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, and why he wanted the movie to be seen by wider audiences.

The director, who is renowned for his stunning, painting-like frames, also spoke candidly about wanting to make a "bright and happy" film that would appeal to every moviegoer. Sanjay claimed in the same breath that he didn't make Ram Leela "to prove anything" to anyone and that it was a return to his "Hum...Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas style of filmmaking."

The director claimed in an interview with ETimes, "It (Ram Leela) was a bright happy colourful film. I returned to my Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas style of filmmaking. Ram-Leela came after the failure of two of my films. We had worked with equal passion on Saawariya and Guzaarish. Both films are as precious to me as Ram-Leela. But somehow our efforts did not connect with the audience. That broke my heart. I got back to direction determined to get back my audience. I needed Ram-Leela to reach out to the widest possible audience. Not that I made Ram-Leela to prove anything. I made the film I enjoyed making and I hoped audiences would share my pleasure."

Bhansali also recalled the film's action factor, which was also praised by the critics, and said, “Before Ram-Leela there was nothing more than a slap in my films. In fact, action director Sham Kaushal would complain in every film, ‘Why call me for action direction for just a slap?’. This time in Ram-Leela we had enough action to make Sham Kaushal happy."

Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have never before played such bold characters, Bhansali recalls. They carried out his instructions precisely and brought to reality the manifestation of unending love. He said, "once in a while Deepika would get taken aback by her character's uninhibited behaviour. But she would convey exactly what I wanted. Both of them are marvelous actors." 

Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela was modified from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Siddharth-Garima co-wrote the screenplay. The 2013 film also featured Supriya Pathak, Gulshan Devaiah, Richa Chadha, and Sharad Kelkar, among many others in pivotal roles. Additionally, it also marked the first of many films that Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone collaborated on. Along with Ram Leela, the three have collaborated on blockbuster films like Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastaani.