“It Saved My Career”: Bhansali Reflects on “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” at Rome Festival

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 1999 romantic epic Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam took center stage at the Indian Film Festival in Rome, where the director opened up about the film’s pivotal role in his career. Screened on February 21 at the festival, presented by the Embassy of India in Rome, the film’s inclusion marked a special tribute to Bhansali’s cinematic journey. “It was a very crucial film for me,” Bhansali shared, reflecting on the turning point it marked after the lukewarm reception of his earlier work, Khamoshi: The Musical.

Bhansali recalled the traumatic response to Khamoshi, where audiences reportedly reacted with anger, even breaking seats at Mumbai’s Liberty Cinema. “It nearly destroyed my career even before it started,” he admitted. The contrast with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’s premiere at the same theater was stark the film’s emotional depth, paired with its visual and musical grandeur, won over critics and viewers alike, reestablishing Bhansali as a force in Bollywood.

Starring Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan, and Ajay Devgn, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam remains a benchmark in Indian cinema, celebrated for its opulent visuals, evocative music, and timeless romance. Bhansali’s reflections at the festival underscored how the film’s success reshaped his trajectory, laying the groundwork for later masterpieces like Devdas and Padmavat.

The Rome screening not only celebrated the film’s legacy but also highlighted Bhansali’s resilience as a storyteller. “It saved my career,” he said simply, crediting the film with reviving his voice in the industry. For fans and cinephiles, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam_remains a testament to Bhansali’s artistry and a reminder of cinema’s power to redefine paths.