Richa Chadha compares Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s directorial style to Kubrick and Spielberg |

Actress Richa Chadha opened up about her experience working on the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s ‘The Constitution: The Diamond Bazaar,’ particularly focusing on the rigorous demands of filming a challenging dance sequence. Days after revealing that she had to give 99 takes for a dance sequence, Richa discussed the emotional and physical toll it took on her and how the acclaimed director’s high standards pushed her to the brink.

Richa Chadha was tasked with performing a dance sequence that required a blend of dance steps, emotional depth, and the portrayal of drunkenness—all in a single continuous take.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, known for his meticulous and demanding directorial stylewas losing patience as the takes mounted.

Talking to Galatta Plus, Richa recalled that the legendary director is a classically trained Odissi dancer, deeply familiar with rhythm and precision, while she is trained in Kathak, a distinctly different dance form. This added to the challenge, as Bhansali expected perfection that integrated multiple layers of performance.
Reflecting on the grueling process, she described how Bhansali’s mastery of choreography and his understanding of the nuances in performance made him a demanding director. She likened his approach to a combination of Stanley Kubrick and Steven Spielberg, known for their exacting standards. The 99 takes required her to balance a heavy bouquet on her head, manage intricate footwork, and convey a spectrum of emotions—all while maintaining the rhythm and precision of Kathak.
The emotional strain of repeatedly failing to meet Bhansali’s expectations was significant. Richa admitted feeling “totally demolished” by the end of the day. Despite the director’s high expectations and the mounting demands, Richa remained determined to get it right. When Bhansali decided to pack up after the 99th take, it was clear that she needed to regroup and approach the scene anew. A few days later, Bhansali resumed filming the sequence, and remarkably, they managed to complete it in just 20 minutes.
The complex requirements of the scene demanded that Richa not only perform the dance steps perfectly but also embody the humiliation and drunkenness integral to the character’s emotional state. Bhansali wanted her to “live up to something” similar to the classic film ‘Pakeezah,’ where a mujra dancer is invited to perform at her lover’s wedding—a situation loaded with emotional turmoil. Bhansali’s vision required Richa to capture this blend of intricate dance and deep emotional expression in a single, long take.
Richa explained that the persistent challenges she faced included the heavy costume and the bouquet on her head, which made balancing and hitting precise marks difficult. Bhansali’s feedback was sharp and specific, criticizing various aspects of her performance, from the lack of visible drunkenness to imperfections in the dance. His insistence on long takes without cuts added to the pressure.
In a desperate attempt to portray the drunkenness required for the scene, Richa even asked for a quarter of gin, hoping that the alcohol would help her achieve the necessary state. Despite her concerns about the effects of drinking on set, she decided to proceed, sipping slowly as the assistant directors watched. She described the uncomfortable situation of dealing with the urge to pee while wearing a cumbersome costume, choosing to stay put and focus on getting the scene right.
The process was exhaustive, taking eight hours to complete the 99 steps. Despite the physical and emotional exhaustion, Richa credited Bhansali for his relentless pursuit of excellence. She acknowledged that his high standards, while challenging, ultimately brought out her best performance.
'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' also features a star-studded cast including Manisha Koirala, Sharmin Segal, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shekhar Suman, and Fardeen Khan.