Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Guzaarish by Sanjay Leela Bhansali inspired by Lata Mangeshkar

Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Guzaarish by Sanjay Leela Bhansali inspired by Lata Mangeshkar

So far you've  been reading  very strange reports linking Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest film Guzaarish to  all sorts  of Hollywood films.

But here's the truth. Bhansali's  Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Guzaarish  which  will be shot at a stretch   in Goa in July and August to capture the monsoonal melody  and romance of  the place, is  actually a  tribute   to the  voice of  Lata Mangeshkar.

  As Bhansali  returns to Goa  after his directorial debut in Khamoshi: The Musical  he has formulated what  can only be called the complete  homage to  the most flawless voice ever created.

 Every nuance and curve  in the intense love story  is inspired by  the songs of  Lata Mangeshkar.

 "I learnt  direction  from  her voice. Guzaarish  is my  tribute to Lataji's artistry," says  Bhansali emotionally.

Besides the characters who embody the divine beauty  and rapturous ecstacy of Lataji's  throat, the  screenplay too is inspired by  Lataji's  indefatigable passion for excellence.

Last week Bhansali petrified of meeting his idol  role-model and cinematic inspiration had to set aside his  anxieties and meet the Nightingale for the  first time to seek her blessings before plunging into  Guzaarish.

The historic  meeting happened  on Thursday at  a suburban music  studio owned  Lataji's  protégé composer Mayuresh Pai. It lasted  for  nearly two hours.

"But it  was  like a whole eternity passing by for me. I had always been afraid  of meeting her. I'd always  pass  by her home  in Peddar Road and hope for a glimpse of  my goddess  on  her balcony. But to  actually come face to face with her was  a scary thought. One doesn't hobnob with one's God.  But before Guzaarish I had to meet  her . I just wanted to sit and gaze at her. I  realized in  person she's as magical as she in her singing. There's something other-worldly about her,a quality I haven't encountered in anyone else in my life."

Hrithik and Aishwarya have been chosen to play the passionate lovers in Guzaarish  because to Bhansali they epitomize the physical and spiritual  beauty  of  Lataji's voice.Every singer  male or female, has been asked to  copy Lataji's style  of singing.

Laughs Lataji, "Even I had heard  that he  makes his singers hear my songs over and over  again before making them sing. I've always  been a g fan of Sanjay's  films specially  Black. I remember watching  the Filmfare awards in the year of Black. Every time the nominations  were announced I prayed for Black to win. And it did.  If I'm a source of inspiration to  him then I count myself fortunate."