“Saawariya” director Bhansali thanks audience
Bollywood director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whose film “Saawariya” (Beloved) has been panned by most critics, thanked his audience for seeing the film despite bad reviews.
“Saawariya” — a romantic musical on unrequited love — inspired by Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novella “White Nights”, had opened along with the hugely hyped Shah Rukh Khan starrer “Om Shanti Om” last Friday.
Despite the film’s good opening, its collection in India fell sharply after the weekend as critics came down heavily on the film for its thin storyline and loose grip on the plot.
From setting the story in a make-believe world to using blue and green as the only background colour scheme throughout, analysts said it made “Saawariya” look a touch unrealistic.
“I’m so happy that the people have loved “Saawariya” and are going back to watch the film in spite of the negative waves created about the film by some people,” Bhansali said through his media manager.
“Therefore, I have immense respect for the audiences of India who have made up their mind to see “Saawariya” for themselves.”
Though Bhansali’s movie has been pipped by “Om Shanti Om” in box office collections, it has still done well to gross USD 14 million worldwide in the opening weekend.
“I’m very happy that internationally “Saawariya” has received such wonderful response on the box office as well as the critics,” he said.
Popularity: 8%
