After struggling for about 2 years, Farida Hosenally whose antique furniture had got burnt in the sets of the film Black in February 2004 has finally managed to get the law behind Bhansali.
Firstly the cops did not register a case against Bhansali and the law observed that she needs to file a public interest litigation. Finally, a Mumbai Court has urged the police to file an FIR against Shri Sanjay Leela Bhansali and a officers of Kumarmangalam Birla Group Company, Applause Bhansali Films and others. The FIR is ordered to be lodged under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which is a cognisable and a non-bailable offence.
Says YP Singh, Hosenally's lawyer and former top cop from Mumbai: "As a lawyer I feel victorious but as an IPS officer I feel miserable for such apathy shown by the police in performing their statutory duties. We had the resources and perseverance so we moved the Magistrate's Court then the High Court, and then Magistrate's Court once again. But what would common man do who has no resources!"
Bhansali refused to comment on the issue, He was also quiet earlier when Kareena blasted him for having dropped her in Devdas and signing on Aishwarya Rai to do the role of Paro. Aishwarya was to do the role of Chandramukhi, but when she wanted Paro's role, Bhansali dropped Kareena.
Later he signed on Kareena again for his film Bajirao Mastani, but shelved the project later leaving her in the lurch again. Kareena has now promised never to work with him again.
Salman Khan too was very upset with Bhansali when he chose Shah Rukh over him for Devdas. "Bhansali told me that I was not mature enough to play that role. That man Shah Rukh is a month older than me. Both of have been born in the same year. I guess that's mature enough," says Khan. But these are minor issues. The law is on Bhansali's case.
Bhansali wants to start his film Saanwariya this year, but the law will come calling before that.