Raza Murad Reveals Bhansali’s Fiery Temper on Set with Top Bollywood Stars

Veteran character actor Raza Murad, who has shared screen space with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on movies such as Ram‑Leela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat and Gangubai Kathiawadi, recently spoke candidly about the director’s temperament on set.

According to Murad, the famed filmmaker’s anger isn’t personal – it’s rooted in an almost obsessive drive to get every frame right. “He’s not a man who shouts for no reason,” he said. “When you see him raise his voice, it’s because something isn’t clicking with the vision he has in his mind.”

That fiery streak, Murad explained, isn’t limited to junior crew members. He confessed, “I have actually seen him shouting at some of the biggest names in Bollywood – Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.” The actor recalled moments on the sets of Ram‑Leela and Bajirao Mastani where Bhansali’s impatience boiled over, especially when a scene didn’t match the elaborate picture he imagined.

Bhansali, known for his grandiose period pieces, has a reputation for demanding perfection. Murad likened his approach to that of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, noting that both expected everyone – from the lead actors to the grip‑crew – to internalise the director’s dream without compromising.

“Time, budget or schedule? Those are the least of his worries,” Murad added with a chuckle. “If a sequence needs eight days instead of four, he’ll push through. When the cameras roll, he means business. ‘Hum kaam karne ke liye aaye hain,’” he quoted the director as saying.

Raza also pointed out that Bhansali’s intense focus has, paradoxically, earned him the respect of the stars he pushes. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have worked with him on multiple projects, delivering performances that critics still rave about, while Priyanka Chopra’s cameo in Bajirao Mastani and a special song in Ram‑Leela remain memorable.

As of now Bhansali is busy with his upcoming venture Love & War, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, slated for a January 2027 release. Whether the director’s temper will surface again remains to be seen, but Murad assures fans that the passion behind those outbursts translates into the visual splendor the audience loves.