The Indian Film Festival in Rome was inaugurated with a retrospective of films by acclaimed Bollywood director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. His 1999 romantic epic Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, starring Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, was screened on February 21 at the festival, presented by the Embassy of India in Rome.
Bhansali on his 1999 classic Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam at Rome Festival; says, “It saved my career”
The screening evoked a huge ovation from the select audience, reaffirming the enduring appeal of the celebrated film. Bhansali is understandably pleased that a film released twenty-seven years ago continues to find renewed admiration that too in Rome.
“It was a very crucial film for me,” Bhansali recalls. “Before Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, I made Khamoshi: The Musical. It nearly destroyed my career even before it started. The visuals of audiences breaking seats in rage at Liberty Cinema in Mumbai still haunt me. Cut to the premiere of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, again at Liberty Cinema this time the response was completely different. The audience sat in rapt attention throughout the film. I quietly heard their comments as they came out of the theatre nobody recognized me and it was all positive. I could make more films after that.”
Bhansali has particularly beautiful memories of shooting the film. “It was a dream shoot. Everything about it was perfect. I couldn’t have hoped for a better cast. Aishwarya, Salman and Ajay Devgn lived their characters. Vikram Gokhaleji and Smita Jayekarji gave so much to their roles. Working with Helen aunty and Zohra Sehgalji were a dream come true. In terms of energy and enthusiasm, they were the youngest members of the cast.”
Also Read: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Ajay Devgn starrer Sanjay Leela Bhansali film gets special premiere at Indian Film Festival in Rome
More Pages: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Box Office Collection
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