‘You shut up, Aditya’: Yatin Karyekar recalls Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s fiery temper on set, says director once threw a chair during rehearsal

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has long been known as one of Bollywood’s most meticulous filmmakers, with actors often describing his pursuit of perfection on set. While his cinematic vision has earned widespread acclaim, stories about his demanding work style have also become part of industry folklore.

Now, veteran actor Yatin Karyekar, who worked with Bhansali in the 2015 historical epic Bajirao Mastani, has shared his experience of the director’s strict approach, recalling moments that left a lasting impression on the cast.

In a recent interview, Karyekar revealed that he formed a close friendship with co-star Ranveer Singh during filming. Although the two enjoyed plenty of laughter behind the scenes, they made sure to remain disciplined whenever Bhansali was around.

According to the actor, Bhansali maintained a highly disciplined atmosphere on set, leaving little room for casual behaviour during work. Despite the strict environment, Karyekar said he has always believed that the director is the ultimate authority on a film set and respected Bhansali’s leadership.

Recalling one particular incident, Karyekar said he witnessed Bhansali losing his temper with actor Aditya Pancholi. As per his account, Pancholi was scolding a junior artiste when the filmmaker intervened and sharply asked him to stop.

The actor also claimed he had heard several stories about Bhansali’s temper over the years. He alleged that during one rehearsal, the filmmaker became frustrated when a senior artiste struggled with a dance step and reportedly threw a chair in anger. Karyekar further claimed that Bhansali had, on different occasions, broken mobile phones and microphones while working under pressure.

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According to Karyekar, the confrontation with Aditya Pancholi came as a surprise to the actor, who was not expecting such a public reprimand.

Despite recalling these incidents, Karyekar was careful to balance his remarks by expressing immense admiration for Bhansali’s filmmaking abilities. He described the director as a creative genius, crediting him with delivering some of Indian cinema’s most visually spectacular films.

The veteran actor also drew a comparison between Sanjay Leela Bhansali and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, calling them two of the industry’s defining directors while noting that their working styles are vastly different.

According to Karyekar, Hirani creates a calm, relaxed atmosphere where cast and crew work without pressure, while Bhansali prefers an intense and disciplined environment driven by perfection.

Released in 2015, Bajirao Mastani featured Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in lead roles. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the historical drama emerged as both a critical and commercial success, earning praise for its powerful performances, memorable music, lavish production design and breathtaking cinematography.

Over the years, Bhansali has continued to be regarded as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated filmmakers, with many actors acknowledging that while his sets can be demanding, they often result in performances and films that leave a lasting impact on audiences.