The bitterness between them originated during the production of "Devdas" when Bhansali was searching for an actress to play the role of Paro, and Kareena came into the picture. Kareena claimed that she was initially selected for the film, and Sanjay even paid her a signing amount. However, he eventually signed another actress for the role, leading to their sour relationship.
Category
✨
PeopleTranscript
00:00 Sanjay Leela Bansali is one of the top filmmakers in Bollywood and actors aspire to work in his films.
00:06 However, there was a rift between him and Kareena Kapoor Khan,
00:10 who once vowed never to work with SLB even if she had no other projects.
00:15 The sarness between them began during the making of Devdas,
00:19 when Bansali was looking for an actress to portray Paro and Kareena entered the scene.
00:24 Kareena alleged that she was finalized for the film and Sanjay even gave her a signing amount.
00:30 But later, he signed another heroine for the role.
00:33 Sanjay tested me for Devdas, gave me a signing amount and then took someone else.
00:38 That was wrong. It hurt. Especially since I was at the start of my career.
00:43 But it's okay because the day he dropped me, I signed Shubhash Ji's Yaday.
00:48 Sanjay hurt me. Even I have no work, I'll never work with him,
00:52 she expressed to Filmfare in 2002.
00:55 In response, Sanjay Leela Bansali clarified his side of the story in an interview with Filmfare.
01:01 She also told me about Dil De Chuke Sanam several times.
01:05 That's when I told her that I hadn't seen her work and that before casting her,
01:09 I needed to see what she was capable of.
01:12 We fixed up a photo shoot with the right costumes.
01:15 Since Babita Ji and Karisma Kapoor were also at the shoot,
01:18 I made it clear to all of them that the shoot wasn't a confirmation that I would cast Kareena.
01:24 They were okay with that at the time.
01:26 After going through the photographs, I told Kareena that I felt Aishwarya Rai was fabulous
01:34 and perfect for Paro. She has the aristocratic looks I required. Kareena didn't say a word then.
01:39 But same day later, I found her lashing out me in print.
01:43 She accused me of backing out after having given her the signing amount and contract.
01:48 Believe me, this is not true.
01:49 She also said I did not know how to make films.
01:56 Kareena is a fabulous girl who is doing very well in life.
02:00 However, I'd like to inform her that I do know how to make films.
02:04 She has tried to tell me that she was misquoted.
02:07 But I like her to know that I've heard those tapes.
02:10 Recently, we met at Sikandar Khe's birthday party.
02:13 I told her that if I have a suitable role for her, I'll cast her.
02:17 Till then, I'll brush up on filmmaking, concluded the director.
02:20 Devdas is considered one of the best films of Sanjay Leela Bansali,
02:26 starring stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai and Jackie Shroff in lead roles.