Sanjay Leela Bhansali On Vikram Gokhale

“We  worked together  in just one film. And what a  storehouse  of memories that turned  out be! If I had  the chance to turn back the clock I would like to work with  Vikram  Gokhaleji in  as many of my films  as possible, if not all,” says  Sanjay Leela Bhansali on hearing of Gokhale’s death.

Bhansali directed Gokhale in  the 1999 classic  Hum…Dil De  Chuke Sanam where  Vikram  Gokhale  played  a Hindustani  classical singer and guru named  Darbar.

Recalls Bhansali, “Every actor prepares. But Vikram Gokhale was  a  professional on another level. He  could actually feel like  a musician. His  body language , his  voice, his command over the sur(tune)  was that of a real musician.”

Gokhale  played Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s  father and Salman Khan’s guru in Hum…Dil De Chuke Sanam.

“All of us had a  fabulous  time shooting . Vikramji was always a  part  of our  group sessions. Actors  like  Vikram  Gokhale are  very rare. He  never  seemed  to act. He used  his exceptional  skills  not to  show off but to  disappear  into his  characters,” says Bhansali.