The release of the film ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali laid the foundation for the beginning of grand sets in his sets and film making. Since then this has become the identity of his films. Senior cinematographer Anil Mehta, who worked with Sanjay in his first films ‘Khamoshi’ and ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, shared an interesting anecdote from their work with him.
In an interview with Film Companion, Anil revealed how Salman Khan’s energy and excitement about the work added to an iconic scene in the film’s song ‘Tadap Tadap Ke’. Recalling the experience of shooting the song in the hot desert, Anil said, “I remember in the desert, Salman just flowed with the scene. Otherwise, which hero would lie down in the hot sand and ask people to pour that sand on him? Will say: He was doing all this himself.
Explaining how Salman’s spontaneity inspired him and set the mood for the song, Anil said, “So, I took the camera off the tripod and then I was in that moment with Salman. He was completely engrossed in what he was doing and later the camera also moves towards the sun. At that time this scene was a very big risk. Same thing happens today but at that time it was not easy but master of drama Sanjay Leela Bhansali was with us.
Anil Mehta’s brilliant work in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam earned him the National Film Award for Best Cinematography. Later he contributed in amazing films like Lagaan, Veer Zaara, Kal Ho Na Ho, Rockstar and Highway. His most recent film was Bhumi Pednekar’s Thank You for Coming.
