'Everybody works hard'

Comparisons

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali says Bollywood and cinema from other regions should not be differentiated as Hindi filmmakers work as hard as their regional counterparts.

Bhansali, 53, has been honoured with the best director award for his magnum opus Bajirao Mastani at the 63rd National Awards, which was dominated by Bollywood with other winners including Amitabh Bachchan (best actor) and Kangana Ranaut (best actress).

The filmmaker says in today’s time, cinema in India should be viewed as a whole irrespective of the language in which it has been made.

“In today’s time, I don’t think that there is anything like Bollywood and regional cinema. I think it is cinema and everybody gets a space to showcase their work. Everybody works hard. Bollywood works as hard as regional cinema makers. Our job is also very difficult,” Bhansali told PTI.

On his National award win for the historic romance starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, the director said he is happy to receive an acknowledgment from the government for 20 years of his hard work in the film industry.

“It is so special. It is the acknowledgment of the government. You are being compared with the best of the nation. And there is a great jury comprising of talented people. It means a lot. It is a very proud moment for me. It is a reward for the 20 years of my hard work,” he said.