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Saawariya's Transformation from Flop to Cult Classic in 18 Years
9 Nov
Summary
- Saawariya, a 2007 film, later became a cult classic for its songs and scenes
- Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor made their Bollywood debuts in the film
- Both Ranbir and Sonam worked as assistant directors on Bhansali's previous film
Eighteen years after its release, the 2007 film Saawariya has transformed from a box office failure into a cult classic of Indian cinema. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the movie is based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's 1848 short story 'White Nights' and introduced two new faces to Bollywood - Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor.
Prior to their on-screen debuts, both Ranbir and Sonam had worked as assistant directors on Bhansali's 2005 film Black. Salman Khan, who had a cameo in Saawariya, fondly recalled Bhansali's strict yet fair treatment of the young debutants, making no exceptions despite their star lineage. Bhansali believed that talent must earn its place through effort, not privilege.
Sonam Kapoor's journey to becoming the film's heroine was particularly remarkable. Bhansali saw in her the classic beauty he wanted for the role of Sakina, and his unexpected faith motivated Sonam to undergo a remarkable transformation, losing 86 kilos over two years. Ranbir Kapoor, on the other hand, was already a fan of Bhansali's work and was determined to learn filmmaking from the director before pursuing his acting dreams.
Today, both Ranbir and Sonam have established themselves as leading stars in the industry, a testament to Bhansali's vision and their own dedication.
