I don't understand why anyone would say I've gone into darkness: SLB on Karan and Salman's comments

By Aditi.chandra07

Updated on Sep 04, 2014 | 06:24 AM IST | 3.1M

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s friends in the industry are not quite happy with his behaviour of late. Recently, Salman Khan said that the director “should learn from Sooraj Barjatya” and even Karan Johar commented that the “Saawariya” director “has gone into a space of negativity and darkness”. But Bhansali is not sure why his friends in B’Town will comment something like that.

In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, Bhansali said that he does not understand why his friends would “publicly talk ill” about him.

Excerpts from the interview:

Salman said that you should learn from Sooraj Barjatya and stop throwing things on the sets...

Salman has done a lot for me. He was, is and will always remain a close friend. I don't know if the feeling is reciprocated. If he has said this, he means it and still cares for me, deeply.

Karan says that you've gone into 'negativity' and 'darkness'...

I've never understood why someone, who you think is a friend, would publicly talk ill about you. Karan and I have had great moments together.

Yet, you poached Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, whom Karan wanted for “Shuddhi”, for your “Bajirao Mastani”.

I had spoken to them about “Bajirao Mastani” during the post-production of “Ram-Leela”. As far as I knew, Hrithik (Roshan) and Kareena (Kapoor) were doing “Shuddhi”. I would never steal a friend's actors. I had my cast in place, so I didn't need anybody's permission. I've never had an ambition to become the most powerful man in the industry. I'm in the happiest phase of my life. I'm working more than 12 hours a day. “Bajirao Mastani” is looking exciting. I don't understand why anyone would say I've gone into darkness.

Karan has said he will release a film with your “Bajirao Mastani” on Christmas 2015--the same day Sajid Naidadwala's “Tamasha” is also scheduled to release.

Every film has its own destiny. I don't have to fear anyone. I know I will come up with the best possible film.