Highlights
Sanjay Leela Bhansali a name that needs no introduction. Known for his opulent sets, grand visuals and sweeping historical epics, Bhansali is one of the finest filmmakers of Bollywood industry. His career is a gripping blend of artistic conquest and commercial gamble, often decorated with controversies. Let’s dig into his filmography, highlighting the Hit and flop movies of Sanjay Leela Bhansalie sparks that flew along the way.
Early Success (1996- 2005)
Khamoshi: The Musical (1996):
Starring Salman Khan, Nana Patekar , Manisha Koirala and Seema Biswas, this film was Bhansali’s directorial debut. A beautiful story with love emotions and drama, this film is considered ahead of its time and rated by many as one of the best work of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and this directorial debut by Bhansali even won many awards and appreciation from viewers and critics and marked as Bhansali’s first hit in Bollywood industry. Can’t think of a better debut!
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999):
This romantic musical film featuring Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bacchan and Ajay Devgn was based on Rashtriyashayar Jhaverchand Meghani’s play “Shetal ne Kathe”, the story of a man who discovers that his wife is in love with another man and decides to reunite them. Gigantic sets, mesmerizing music and brilliant cast made this film a blockBuster and the team and cast of the film begged several appreciations and awards and the film is considered as one of the best romantic saga of Bollywood.
Devdas (2002):
A period romantic drama starring Shahrukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai in lead with Jackie Shroff, Kirron Kher in supporting roles is based on the 1917 novel of same name by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The Tragic love story of Devdas and Paro and one sided love Chandramukhi left everyone teary eyed. This film was submitted for the Best International feature film at 75th Academy Awards, it also received nomination for the Best Film (not English language) from 56th iteration of the British Academy Film Awards, it also begged several National awards and other Bollywood commercial awards. This film was featured in the Out of Competition section at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, and Aishwarya Rai Bacchan and Shahrukh Khan had their first Cannes Red Carpet for this movie. This movie was the most expensive Indian movie ever made at the time with a budget of 500 million (INR).
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Black (2005):
A poignant story about a deaf- blind girl and her teacher featuring Amitabh Bacchan and Rani Mukherji, this film marked a turning point in Bhansali’s career as a director. The movie received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its direction, screenplay, story and the performance of the cast. The film won three awards at the 53rd National awards, which includes Bhansali’s first National award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Box Office Blips (2007- 2010)
Sawariya (2007):
This romantic film was based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1848 short story White Nights. The debut film of Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor turned out to be a commercial disaster. Praised for its music, grand artistic approach and alluring sets, its story, screenplay and acting received sharp criticism the film got mixed to negative reviews upon release. Ranbir begged his first filmfare as Best Male Debut for this film.
Guzaarish (2010):
This romantic film starring Aishwarya Rai Bacchan and Hrithik Roshan in lead roles was written, composed and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It is believed to be Hrithik’s underrated yet crucially career best performance for his strong portrayal of the character. However, the film failed to impress the audience and turned out to be a commercial failure. Indian writer Dayanand Rajan’s claim of Bhansali plagiarizing the film’s plot from his unpublished novel “Summer Snow” and PIL in High Court against the director for promoting euthanasia or mercy killing which is illegal, turned things more bitter for Bhansali.
The Return and Period Drama Trilogy (2013- 2018)
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram- Leela (2013):
A passionate love story written and directed by SLB, who also composed the original soundtrack. Based on two communities of Gujarat, starring Deepika Padukon and Ranveer Singh in lead roles and Supriya Pathak, Richa Chaddha, Sharad Kelkar and Barkha Bisht Sengupta in supporting role narrates the love story of Ram and Leela who belongs to two rival communities. This film was a box office hit and critical darling, however , the original title “Ramleela” sparked religious groups claiming disrespect towards the ancient Hindu epic Raamayan, the title was changed to avoid further issues and controversies. This film became the most awaited blockbuster for Bhansali and emerged as the fifth highest grossing Indian film of the year.
Bajirao Mastani (2015):
Featuring Deepika Padukon, Priyaka Chopra and Ranveer Singh in lead roles with Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Milind Soman in supporting roles, this film is based on Nagnath S. Inamdar’s Marathi novel “Rau”, explored the epic love triangle between Maratha warrior Bajirao, his first wife Kashi Bai and second wife Mastani. With grand sets, soulful music, brilliant direction and marvelous acting this film is a treat of cinema lovers. This film won 7 National Awards and received 14 nominations at 61st Filmfare Awards. This film became the 4th highest grossing Hindi film of 2015.
Padmavat (2018):
Based on the legend of Rani Padmini, this film featured Deepika Padukon, Shahid Kapoor in lead roles. Ranveer surprised everyone with his portrayal as the antagonist of the film Allauddin Khilji. However, Aditi Rao Hydary, Anupriya Goenka and Jim Sarbh stole the limelight as supporting actors. The film faced many protests from the Rajput community alleging historical inaccuracies and bad portrayal of Rani Padmini, sets were vandalized, Bhansali was attacked and Padukon was threatened of violence and death.
Things took ugly turn when in Haryana, the protestors attacked several vehicles which also included a school bus before the release of this film. Although the Film and Television fraternity extended their support to Bhansali, Padukon and the film, the chaos and controversy raised questions on film censorship in India and the freedom of expression. Despite not being released in some states of India, the film grossed over 571.98 crores becoming the third highest grossing film of the year. The film won 3 National Film Awards and 18 nominations and 4 victories at the 64th Filmfare Awards.
Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022):
Bhansali delved into a different historical period with this film based on a real life woman who became a powerful figure in Mumbai’s red- light district. Featuring Alia Bhatt as lead and Ajay Devgn and Jim Sarbh in supporting roles, this film is the perfect example of beauty of art and cinema. Alia’s performance as Gangu and Bhansali’s signature style garnered critical acclaim and box office success. The film won 5 awards at 69th National Film Awards and received 17 nominations at 68th Filmfare awards.
Heeramandi (2024):
Bhansali’s OTT web series debut was as grand as any of his films. Starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chaddha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal, Fareeda Jalal and Taha Shah Badussha, this series showcases the lives of tawaifs of Heeramandi in Lahore during the Indian Independence movement against British rule. Bhansali continues to explore historical drama with this period piece and the storyline, plots and performances by Manisha koerala, Aditi Rao Hydery and Sanjeeda Sheikh made the series talk of the town.
Bhansali remains a captivating and complex figure in Indian cinema. He provokes discussions, pushes boundaries and leaves a lasting impact with his visually magical spectacles. Whether you critique or admire his work, there is no denying his unique place in Bollywood.
