Celebrity fashion designer and producer Manish Malhotra recently opened up about why he never worked with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali after Khamoshi: The Musical (1996). During his recent appearance on Kajol and Twinkle Khanna’s talk show, Two Much, Manish was asked by Kajol why he never worked with Bhansali, whose lavish style seems made for his couture.
Manish replied, “I did only one film, Khamoshi. After that, we never worked together. I think he always thought I was very friendly with Karan and Adi. So, I was like, ‘Sanjay, but I am professional and I can work with so many different actors.’ Yeah, but sometimes some things just don’t happen and then you just make your own path.”
He also reflected on the bond that he shares with veteran actor Rekha and said, “I think what he has learned from her is the way she loves herself is the way you love yourself. But I am more about self-care than self-love.”
Meanwhile, Manish turned producer recently and has backed three films, with one of them Gustaakh Ishq set to be released in theatres on November 21. His other production, Saali Mohabbat premiered at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) last year. He has also backed Shabana Azmi, Abhay Deol and Zeenat Aman starrer, Bun Tikki.
Speaking about venturing into filmmaking from fashion designing, Manish had earlier said in an interview, “All fashion designers don’t have a film sense, but some do. With me, it was organic because I was in love with films since childhood, watching Mughal-e-Azam (1960) or the works of Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt. I love the ’70s, their songs and costumes. I am steeped in films. That’s why I get how it works.”
