'I ALWAYS FEEL THE HAND OF GOD IN MY FILMS'

I've spoken to Gangubai's soul. I've had long conversations with her in my mind. I understood her suffering, anger, joys and sorrow. 'I had to connect to the soul of this amazing woman. 'I think I did.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali feels his new film Gangubai Kathiawadi is his best till date.

"It comes straight from my heart,"

"I am so much more in control of my craft now than when I started off.

I've improved as a human being and as a filmmaker. I've become more compassionate." Gangubai is also Bhansali's most personal film.

"It's a tribute to my growing years.

I spent the first 30 years of my life just one lane away from Kamathipura (Mumbai's red light area, where Gangubai Kathiawadi lived). I gave my all to this film. Every flavour, colour and texture that I remembered from my childhood has gone into this film,” he says.

“I remember the walls of my chawl were colourless. Yet, that colourless palate is embedded in my mind. Every utensil in our kitchen, every visual from my childhood -- like the clothes hanging after washing from the second floor which would flap on the first floor, the stench of the gutters -- are all alive in my imagination."

Gangubai Kathiawadi is a dream that Bhansali nurtured for eight years.

“I wanted to make this film before Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram Leela. I've spoken to Gangubai's soul. I've had long conversations with her in my mind. I understood her suffering, anger, joys and sorrow. I knew why she needed to get up and dance. I had to connect to the soul of this amazing woman. I think I did.”

Now that the release is approaching, Bhansali is nervous and anxious.