One of the most successful filmmakers from the Indian cinema, his films are known for being an epitome of magnificence. He is also a producer, screenwriter, and music director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films are known for being the best epic period dramas. This creative genius has presented us with an array of breathtaking movies on the big screen. Some of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies are:
1. Devdas
This flick is the most famous film adaptation of the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel Devdas. It follows the story of Devdas, a wealthy law graduate who returns from London to marry his childhood sweetheart, Paro. The rejection of this marriage by his own family triggers his descent into alcohol, ultimately leading to his emotional decline and him seeking refuge with a courtesan Chandramukhi. The ensemble cast of the film included Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, and Jackie Shroff. The film was screened at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and was rewarded a lot of national awards along with the most Filmfare Awards any film had won at the time.
2. Black
The film drew its inspiration from Helen Keller’s life and struggles. The moving tale is about a young woman who can’t see, hear or talk and her teacher who brings a ray of hope into her dark world and doesn’t give up on her despite all of her struggles. The leading actors Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan deliver mind-blowing performances which touched the hearts of the audience and the critics alike. The film premiered at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival.
3. Guzaarish
This 2010 Indian romantic drama is written and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai in lead roles while Shernaz Patel, Aditya Roy Kapoor, and Swara Bhaskar in the pivotal roles. The film revolves around a magician who gets paralyzed after an awful accident during his performance. Afterward, he turns into Radio Jockey and files a Petition in Court seeking permission to end his life. The film received positive reviews from critics, who appreciated the direction, cinematography, and performances, particularly of Hrithik Roshan, and Aishwarya Rai.
4. Goliyon Ki Rasleela: Ramleela
The story if the movie is a modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragic love tale ‘Romeo and Juliet’ with an Indian twist. The film focuses on the story of Ram and Leela, their love and what happens after their families find out about them. The movie featured Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone along with Supriya Pathak, Richa Chadda, Sharad Kelkar, Gulshan Devaiah, and Barkha Bisht Sengupta.
5. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
This 1999 movie stars Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Aishwarya Rai and is shot in Gujarat. The movie is a love triangle between Nandini, Sameer, and Vanraj. Nandini and Sameer are lovers but her family decides to marry her off to Vanraj. Things take a turn when she has to choose between a man who taught her to love and the man she loves in the present. The movie was a huge commercial success.
6. Khamoshiyaan: The Musical
This Indian Musical drama was Bhansali’s directorial debut in the Indian film industry. It starred Nana Patekar, Manisha Koirala, Salman Khan, Seema Biswas, and Helen. The movie is a love story of Raj and Annie, who’s mute father disapproves of their relationship. The movie released in 1996 and won several awards.
7. Bajirao Mastaani
This film stars Bhansali’s current favourite trio Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra. The supporting cast includes the very talented Tanvi Azmi, Vaibhav Tatwawaadi and Milind Soman. The movie beautifully portrays the romantic encounter between the Maratha general Baji Rao I and Mastani, princess of Bundelkhand. Bajirao Mastani won seven National Film Awards, including Best Direction. It received fourteen nominations at the 61st Filmfare Awards and won nine awards, including Best Film, Best Director for Bhansali and best Actor for Ranveer Singh.
8. Padmaavat
The most recent of Bhansali’s works, this movie released in 2018 after facing a lot of difficulty and controversies. The movie’s storyline is Loosely based on the historical poem Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. It stars Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, a Rajput queen known for her beauty, who’s the wife of Maharawal Ratan Singh, played by Shahid Kapoor and Sultan Alauddin Khilji, played by Ranveer Singh, who hears about her beauty, forms an obsessive love for her and attacks her kingdom to claim her. is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. The critics and the audience praised the visuals, the cinematography and Singh’s portrayal of Khilji.
