Sanjay Leela Bhansali the director known for the movies which tells epic sagas. The director who chose to use his mother’s name as his middle name instead of his father. The Man who brings the stories as larger than life on the screen, was born on February 24, 1963.
The filmmaker has given the perfect shot tricks to the Indian Cinema. Contributing in the various genres of flicks the director is also known to be proved as screenwriter, producer, editor and music composer.
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The director is the recipient of several awards. In his entire film career till now, the director has been honoured with four National Film Awards, ten Filmfare Awards and a BAFTA nomination. In 2015, the Government of India honoured him with the fourth highest civilian award ‘PADMA SHRI’.
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Debuted with a musical romance, he has served us with many films that are worth watching again and again, no matter how many times. So on his birthday we bring you the list of some must watchable movies made by the saga teller Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
KHAMOSHI
Khamoshi: The Musical is a 1996 Indian Hindi-language musical romantic drama film. The film is Bhansali’s directorial debut. Annie, a hearing and speech impaired couple's daughter, meets Raj who brings music and love to her life. However, she has to overcome obstacles when her family refuses to accept their relationship. The film stars Nana Patekar, Salman Khan, Manisha Koirala and Seema Biswas.
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Khamoshi's narrative is similar to that of the 1996 German film ‘Beyond Silence’. The 2014 French film ‘La Famille Bélier’ and its 2021 American remake ‘CODA’ also have a similar narrative.
BLACK
Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee in lead roles, Black is a 2005 Indian English- and Hindi-language drama film co-written, directed, and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film’s story is inspired by the activist Helen Keller's life and her 1903 autobiography, The Story of My Life.
Debraj, a stubborn teacher, helps Michelle, a girl with visual and hearing impairment; explore her potential as she takes on the challenge of graduating college. Black won 3 awards at the 53rd National Film Awards.
GUZAARISH
Renowned former magician Ethan, now a quadriplegic, files a petition for euthanasia. While he awaits the verdict, Omar, a young magic enthusiast, convinces Ethan to pass on his legacy to him. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aditya Roy Kapur, the film narrates the story of a paralyzed magician-turned-Radio jockey who files a petition in court seeking permission to end his life.
GOLIYON KI RAASLEELA RAM-LEELA
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela or simply known as Ram-Leela, is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language tragic romantic drama film written and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who also composed its original soundtrack. The movie is an adaptation of the tragedy Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, where Ram and Leela love each other but cannot stay together as their families, Rajadi and Sanera, have been at war with each other for the past 500 years. In the end, they both need to make a sacrifice.
Starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, the movie is a great hit of its times. The duo also paired in another two movies Bajirao-Mastaani and the most controversial film of Bhansali Padmavat.
MARY KOM
Mary Kom is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language biographical sports film based on the life of the eponymous boxer Mary Kom, directed by Omung Kumar and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Starring Priyanka Chopra as Mary Kom, the movie telltales, when Mary Kom encounters a renowned coach in a boxing gym, she shares her boxing aspirations with him and convinces him to teach her. Despite her father's disapproval, she follows her passion.
The film marks the Hindi playback singing debut of Chopra, who provided her vocals for a song named "Chaoro" (a lullaby). The film premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, becoming the first Hindi film to be screened on the opening night of the festival.
GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI
Recently released, Gangubai Kathiawadi is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language biographical crime drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Bhansali and Jayantilal Gada.
The film is loosely based on the true story of Ganga Jagjivandas Kathiawadi, popularly known as Gangubai Kothewali, whose life was documented in the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai written by S. Hussain Zaidi. The film depicts the rise of a simple girl from Kathiawad who had no choice but to embrace the ways of destiny and swing it in her favour. After being duped and sold to a brothel, a young woman takes control of the world she was once a pawn in, utilising her underworld connections to rule it.
The film stars Alia Bhatt with Ajay Devgn, Shantanu Maheshwari, Vijay Raaz, Indira Tiwari, Seema Pahwa, Varun Kapoor and Jim Sarbh in pivotal roles. The film premiered at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival on 16 February 2022, and was released in theatres on 25 February 2022.
PopDiaries wishes the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali a very Happy Birthday!!!