Gulshan Devaiah talks about the lavish set up for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Ram-Leela': 'The actors have to be patient enough'

Gulshan Devaiah reminisced about his experience collaborating with the renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali on the film 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela.' Describing the experience as a "test of patience" but ultimately rewarding, Gulshan shared insights during an interview about the unique challenges and benefits of working on such a grand production.
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Gulshan explained that his previous projects were often on tight budgets, requiring rapid work.However, Bhansali's approach was vastly different. The first set he stepped into was worth Rs 5-7 crore. Lavish sets, beautiful costumes, and then he had to wait for hours and hours. Bhansali takes his time; that’s his preferred way of working, and the actors have to be okay with that. He used to sit in full costume on set and observe how things happen.

He further elaborated that the meticulous process could be exhausting. For instance, he was asked to pierce his ears for his role but opted for clip-on earrings instead. These caused him headaches, so he often kept them in his pocket while waiting for his scenes. Sometimes, setting up the lighting took over six hours. It is a time-consuming process, and the actor mentioned that someone who prefers a fast-paced environment should not opt for Bhansali's set.
Gulshan also mentioned how the lead actor, Ranveer Singh, would often retreat to a corner and cry after intense emotional scenes. In an earlier interview with Bollywood Hungama, Gulshan revealed that sometimes he would be in hair and costume for more than three days without filming a single shot. He used to sit on the set and observe how Bhansali works. He played the character Bhavani in the movie.
In a recent interview with India Today, Bhansali reacted to having anger issues on set. He asked what he should do if someone spoils a scene or if someone is not giving the proper output he demands.