Sanjay Leela Bhansali: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by 113.21.229.90
Last edited March 15, 2026
Newer edit →
VisualWikitext
 
UpdateBot (talk | contribs)
Bots
22,126 edits
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Indian film director, producer and screenwriter}}
{{short description|Indian film director, producer and screenwriter}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Sanjay Leela Bhansali  
| name               = Sanjay Leela Bhansali
| image = Sanjay Leela Bhansali.jpg
| image             = Sanjay Leela Bhansali.jpg
| caption = Bhansali in 2021
| caption           = Bhansali in 2021
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|02|24}}
| birth_name        =
| birth_place = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1963|02|24}}
| occupation = [[Film maker]], [[Film director|Director]], [[Film producer|Producer]], [[Screenwriter]], [[Editor]], [[Music Director]]
| birth_place       = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| awards = [[List of awards and nominations received by Sanjay Leela Bhansali|Full list]]
| nationality        =
| honours = [[Padma Shri]] (2015)
| citizenship        =
| signature = Autograph of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, an Indian film director and producer 2013-11-14 22-39.JPG
| occupation         = {{flat list|
* [[Film director|Director]]
* [[Film producer|producer]]
* [[screenwriter]]
* [[Film editing|editor]]
* [[composer]]
}}
}}
'''Sanjay Leela Bhansali''' ({{IPA-gu|ˈsəndʒeː ˈlilɑː ˈbʱəɳsɑliː|lang}}; born 24 February 1963) is an [[Indian people|Indian]] director, producer, screenwriter, and music director who is known for his work in [[Hindi]] cinema. He is the recipient of several awards, including four [[National Film Awards]], ten [[Filmfare Awards]] and a [[BAFTA]] nomination.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2003/film|title=Film in 2003 {{!}} BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org|access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> In 2015, the [[Government of India]] honoured him with the [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award.
| awards            = [[List of awards and nominations received by Sanjay Leela Bhansali|Full list]]
| honours            = [[Padma Shri]] (2015)
| signature          = Autograph of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, an Indian film director and producer 2013-11-14 22-39.JPG
}}
'''Sanjay Leela Bhansali''' ({{IPA-gu|ˈsəndʒeː ˈlilɑː ˈbʱəɳsɑliː|lang}}; born 24 February 1963) is an Indian filmmaker, director, screenwriter, and music composer who is known for his work in [[Hindi]] cinema. He is the recipient of several awards, including five [[National Film Awards]], ten [[Filmfare Awards]] and a [[BAFTA]] nomination.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2003/film|title=Film in 2003 {{!}} BAFTA Awards|website=awards.bafta.org|access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref> In 2015, the [[Government of India]] honoured him with the [[Padma Shri]], the fourth highest civilian award.


Bhansali made his directorial debut with ''[[Khamoshi: The Musical]]'' (1996), for which he received the [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film]]. He rose to prominence in Hindi-language cinema with the commercially successful romantic drama ''[[Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam]]'' (1999), the epic romantic drama ''[[Devdas (2002 Hindi film)|Devdas]]'' (2002) — for which he received a nomination for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language|Best Film Not in the English Language]]<ref name=":1" /> at [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|British Academy of Film & Television Awards (BAFTA)]] —  and the drama ''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]'' (2005), for all of which he received multiple [[Filmfare Best Director Award|Best Director Award]]s and [[Filmfare Best Film Award|Best Film Award]]s along with additional Critics Award for Best Film for the latter at Filmfare Awards, and multiple National Film Awards for the latter two. He followed it by directing consecutive commercially unsuccessful films such as ''[[Saawariya]]'' (2007) and [[Guzaarish (film)|''Guzaarish'']] (2010), however, ''Guzaarish'' received positive reviews from critics and audiences.
Bhansali's directorial debut was the musical romance ''[[Khamoshi: The Musical|Khamoshi]]'' (1996), that earned him a [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film|Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics)]]. He then attained huge stardom and prominence in Hindi cinema with the highly successful love triangle ''[[Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam]]'' (1999) and the period romance ''[[Devdas (2002 Hindi film)|Devdas]]'' (2002); the latter was nominated for [[BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language|Best Film Not in the English Language]] at [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]].<ref name=":1" /> The drama ''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]'' (2005) became one of the most critically acclaimed and awarded Hindi films, winning him multiple [[Filmfare Best Director Award|Best Director Award]]s and [[Filmfare Best Film Award|Best Film Award]]s along with additional Best Film (Critics) at Filmfare Awards. He also won multiple National Film Awards for ''Devdas'' and ''Black'' but failed to maintain more success with his subsequent projects ''[[Saawariya]]'' (2007) and [[Guzaarish (film)|''Guzaarish'']] (2010).


This changed with his adaptation of [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' — the tragic romance ''[[Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela]]'' (2013) — opened to positive reviews and strong box office collections, for which he received several awards and nominations. His home production biographical sports film [[Mary Kom (film)|''Mary Kom'']] (2014), had him receive his third National Film Award. His period dramas ''[[Bajirao Mastani]]'' (2015) and ''[[Padmaavat]]'' (2018) both rank among the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Indian films of all time]]. For the former, he won the [[National Film Award for Best Direction]], as well as Filmfare Awards for Best Director and Best Film; and for the latter, he won [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]] and [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director]].
Bhansali retained his vision of direction by adaptating [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' into film with ''[[Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela]]'' (2013), that opened to mixed reviews but strong box office collections. His home production, the sports film [[Mary Kom (film)|''Mary Kom'']] (2014), earned him a third National Film Award. He built his establishment and enhanced his vision more by directing the big-scale period dramas ''[[Bajirao Mastani]]'' (2015) and ''[[Padmaavat]]'' (2018), both of which rank among the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Indian films of all time]].  


He is an [[alumnus]] of the [[Film and Television Institute of India]].<ref name="Bhansali bio2">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/06director.htm|title=OSO-Saawariya rivalry: May the best director win|date=6 November 2007|website=[[Rediff.com]]|author=Verma, Sukanya|access-date=14 March 2008}}</ref> He is the founder of the production house Bhansali Productions.
For ''Bajirao Mastani'', Bhansali was feliciated with [[National Film Award for Best Direction]], as well as Filmfare Awards for Best Director and Best Film; and for ''Padmaavat'', he won a [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]] and [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director]]. His next, the crime drama ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'' (2022), unlike his other films that focused on a lady mafia don, opened after huge delays since 2020 due to [[COVID-19]] but still bought him big revenues and became a commercial success. Both ''Mary Kom'' and ''Gangubai Kathiawadi'' rank among the highest-grossing female centric Hindi films ever. He is an [[alumnus]] of the [[Film and Television Institute of India]], and produces films under his banner Bhansali Productions.<ref name="Bhansali bio2">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/nov/06director.htm|title=OSO-Saawariya rivalry: May the best director win|date=6 November 2007|website=[[Rediff.com]]|author=Verma, Sukanya|access-date=14 March 2008}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Early life ==
Sanjay Leela Bhansali was born in [[Bhuleshwar]], [[South Mumbai]] to a [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] [[Jain]] family.<ref name=TOI>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Sanjay-Leela-Bhansali-Hum-Dil-De-Chuke-Sanam-Saraswatichandra/articleshow/25591828.cms|title=When I am not being watched, I too am a loud Gujarati: Sanjay Leela Bhansali|website=[[The Times of India]]|author=Priya Gupta|date=12 November 2013|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Jain"/>His mother,Leela used to sew clothes to make ends meet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/30bpi.htm|title=The truth about Sanjay Leela Bhansali|date=30 August 2007|website=Rediff|access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref>He speaks [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] at home and loves Gujarati [[Gujarati cuisine|food]], [[Music of Gujarat|music]], [[Gujarati literature|literature]] and architecture.<ref name=TOI/><ref name="Jain">{{cite news |title=Jains steal the show with 7 Padmas |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jains-steal-the-show-with-7-Padmas/articleshow/46856659.cms |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=9 April 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
Sanjay Leela Bhansali was born on 24 February 1963 in [[Bhuleshwar]], [[South Bombay]] into a [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] [[Jainism in Gujarat|Jain]] family.<ref name=TOI>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Sanjay-Leela-Bhansali-Hum-Dil-De-Chuke-Sanam-Saraswatichandra/articleshow/25591828.cms|title=When I am not being watched, I too am a loud Gujarati: Sanjay Leela Bhansali|website=[[The Times of India]]|author=Priya Gupta|date=12 November 2013|access-date=30 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Jain"/> His mother, Leela, used to sew clothes to make ends meet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/30bpi.htm|title=The truth about Sanjay Leela Bhansali|date=30 August 2007|website=Rediff|access-date=22 March 2019}}</ref> He speaks [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] at home and loves Gujarati [[Gujarati cuisine|food]], [[Music of Gujarat|music]], [[Gujarati literature|literature]] and architecture.<ref name=TOI/><ref name="Jain">{{cite news |title=Jains steal the show with 7 Padmas |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jains-steal-the-show-with-7-Padmas/articleshow/46856659.cms |access-date=25 March 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=9 April 2015 |language=en}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
=== Early work (1989–2002) ===
[[File:Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone at RAM LEELA's trailer launch.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|alt=Sanjay, Ranveer and Deepika smiles away the camera|Bhansali with [[Ranveer Singh]] and [[Deepika Padukone]] during the trailer launch of ''[[Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela]]'' in 2013]]
[[File:Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone at RAM LEELA's trailer launch.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|alt=Sanjay, Ranveer and Deepika smiles away the camera|Bhansali with [[Ranveer Singh]] and [[Deepika Padukone]] during the trailer launch of ''[[Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela]]'' in 2013]]
Bhansali began his career as an assistant to [[Vidhu Vinod Chopra]] and was involved in the making of ''[[Parinda]]'', ''[[1942: A Love Story]]'' and ''[[Kareeb]]''. However, they had a falling-out when Bhansali refused to direct ''Kareeb''. In 1996, he made his directorial debut with ''[[Khamoshi: The Musical]]'', the commercially unsuccessful but critically acclaimed narration of a daughter's struggle to communicate with her deaf-mute parents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=123378&page=2|title=Khamoshi (Silence: The Musical) Review|publisher=[[Channel 4]]|access-date=14 March 2007}}</ref> The film earned the Critics Award for Best film at Filmfare. He rose to prominence in Indian cinema with a triangular love story, ''[[Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam]]'', starring [[Aishwarya Rai]], [[Salman Khan]], and [[Ajay Devgan]], which established his individualistic stamp for visual splendour and creating auras of celebration and festivity. The film was premiered in the Indian Panorama section at the 1999 [[International Film Festival of India]]. It was a great commercial and critical success, and won numerous awards including four National Awards and nine Filmfare Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=205&catName=MTk5OQ==== |title=Box Office 1999 |publisher=BoxOfficeIndia.Com |access-date=6 May 2014  }}{{dead link|date=December 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
Bhansali began his career as an assistant to [[Vidhu Vinod Chopra]] and was involved in the making of ''[[Parinda]]'', ''[[1942: A Love Story]]'' and ''[[Kareeb]]''. However, they had a falling-out when Bhansali refused to direct ''Kareeb''. In 1996, he made his directorial debut with ''[[Khamoshi: The Musical]]'', the commercially unsuccessful but critically acclaimed narration of a daughter's struggle to communicate with her deaf-mute parents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=123378&page=2|title=Khamoshi (Silence: The Musical) Review|publisher=[[Channel 4]]|access-date=14 March 2007}}</ref> The film earned the Best Film (Critics) at Filmfare.  


His next film, ''[[Devdas (2002 Hindi film)|Devdas]]'', starring [[Shah Rukh Khan]], [[Aishwarya Rai]] and [[Madhuri Dixit]], was Bhansali's ode to the novel [[Devdas|of the same name]], which became the highest-grossing film of 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223032/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg== |archive-date=15 January 2013 |title=Box Office 2002 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The film also received unanimous acclaim from the critics and won all the major accolades at Filmfare, emerging as the most awarded film in Filmfare, (tied with the 1995 ''[[Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge]]''). At the [[50th National Film Awards]], it won five awards including [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]]. It received a nomination for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Film|Best Foreign Film]] at the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|British Academy of Film & Television Awards (BAFTA)]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Devdas-nominated-for-best-foreign-film-at-Bafta/articleshow/35681339.cms|title=Devdas nominated for best foreign film at Bafta - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> It was [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|India's submission]] for the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]]. The film was also screened at the [[2002 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/devdas|title=DEVDAS - Festival de Cannes|website=Festival de Cannes|language=en|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> It stood eighth in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's "The 10 Greatest Movies of the Millennium (Thus Far)".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2012/05/17/top-10-movies-of-the-millennium/slide/devdas/|title=The 10 Great Movies of the Millennium (Thus Far)|publisher=Time.com|access-date=12 September 2014|date=17 May 2012}}</ref> His next film, ''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]'', starring [[Amitabh Bachchan]] and [[Rani Mukerji]], broke his own all-time record of ''Devdas'' by garnering eleven awards, the highest number of awards ever given to a single film at Filmfare. It stood fifth in ''Time'' (Europe)'s "10 Best Movies of the Year 2005" among films from across the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20051230-1.html |title="Black" selected amongst 10 of the best films of 2005 by ''Time'' magazine |date=30 December 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527092811/http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20051230-1.html |archive-date=27 May 2008  }}</ref> At [[53rd National Film Awards]], he received his second National award for [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi|Best Feature Film in Hindi]]. ''Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'', ''Devdas'' and ''Black'' earned him multiple Best Director and Best Film Awards at Filmfare, the latter also received additional Critics Award for Best Film. In 2006, Bhansali participated as a judge on reality TV show ''[[Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa]]'' alongside [[Farah Khan]] and [[Shilpa Shetty]].<ref name="tvshow">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Sanjay-Leela-Bhansali-gets-into-TV-soaps/articleshow/10398541.cms|work=The Times Of India|title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali gets into TV soaps}}</ref>
He rose to prominence in Indian cinema with a triangular love story, ''[[Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam]]'' (1999), starring [[Aishwarya Rai]], [[Salman Khan]], and [[Ajay Devgan]], which established his individualistic stamp for visual splendour and creating auras of celebration and festivity. The film was premiered in the Indian Panorama section at the 1999 [[International Film Festival of India]]. It was a critical and commercial success, and won numerous awards including 4 National Awards and 9 Filmfare Awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmtropes.in/gangubai-kathiawadi-full-movie-720p|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726113428/https://www.filmtropes.in/gangubai-kathiawadi-full-movie-720p/|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 July 2021|title=Box Office 1999 |publisher=BoxOfficeIndia.Com |access-date=6 May 2014 }}</ref>


Bhansali's next film ''[[Saawariya]]'' (released in 2007) was met with sharp criticism and poor collections at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw==|title=Box Office 2007|publisher=BoxOfficeIndia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223235/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw==|archive-date=15 January 2013|access-date=6 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2008, Bhansali staged the opera ''[[Padmâvatî (opera)|Padmavati]]'', an adaption of the 1923 ballet written by [[Albert Roussel]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/bhansali-not-adapting-padmavati-opera-in-movie/article1-674130.aspx |author=Ians, Momabi |title=Bhansali not adapting Padmavati opera in movie |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=16 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217020013/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/bhansali-not-adapting-padmavati-opera-in-movie/article1-674130.aspx |archive-date=17 February 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thereel.scroll.in/827905/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-upcoming-historical-movie-padmavati-is-all-set-for-a-trial-by-fire |title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming historical movie 'Padmavati' is all set for a trial by fire |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130005136/https://thereel.scroll.in/827905/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-upcoming-historical-movie-padmavati-is-all-set-for-a-trial-by-fire |archive-date=30 January 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The show premiered in [[Paris]] at the prestigious [[Théâtre du Châtelet]] and next at the [[Festival dei Due Mondi]], where it received "fifteen minutes of standing ovation and seven curtain calls at the end of the first show."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080629/jsp/nation/story_9479541.jsp|location=Calcutta, India|work=The Telegraph|first=Amit|last=Roy|title=Indian opera goes to Italy|date=29 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slbfilms.com/synopsis/opera/16 |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912135521/http://www.slbfilms.com/synopsis/opera/16 |archive-date=12 September 2014 }}</ref> Bhansali received many positive comments from international critics for his work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-32531120080317|work=[[Reuters]]|title=Devdas' experience helped Bhansali with 'Padmavati|date=17 March 2008}}</ref> In 2010, Bhansali released ''[[Guzaarish (2010 film)|Guzaarish]]'', starring [[Hrithik Roshan]] and Aishwarya Rai, in which he also made his debut in music direction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=30&contentid=200811192008111902151766911b9e476&sectxslt=section|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209062735/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=30&contentid=200811192008111902151766911b9e476&sectxslt=section|archive-date=9 December 2012|title=Roshan Raahein|date=6 May 2014}}</ref> The film received positive to mixed reviews from critics, but could not perform well at the box office. ''Guzaarish'' earned him a Best Director nomination at Filmfare. In 2011, he became a judge on the Indian music talent show ''[[X Factor India]]'' Season 1.<ref name="tvshow" /> The same year, he also produced the musical comedy film ''[[My Friend Pinto]]'', which also received mixed reviews and tanked at the box office. In 2012, Bhansali produced ''[[Rowdy Rathore]]'', a remake of the [[Telugu film]] ''[[Vikramarkudu]]'', starring [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Sonakshi Sinha]] and directed by [[Prabhu Deva]]. The film received mixed reviews from critics and became a major commercial success, [[Box Office India]] labelled it as a blockbuster film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=177|title=Rowdy Rathore - Movie - Box Office India|website=boxofficeindia.com|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> The following year, he produced ''[[Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi]]'' which also received mixed reviews, but could not perform well at the box office.
=== Devdas and career influctuations  (2002–2012) ===
His next film ''[[Devdas (2002 Hindi film)|Devdas]]'' (2002), starring [[Shah Rukh Khan]], [[Aishwarya Rai]] and [[Madhuri Dixit]], was Bhansali's ode to the novel [[Devdas|of the same name]], which became the highest-grossing film of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223032/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg== |archive-date=15 January 2013 |title=Box Office 2002 |publisher=Box Office India |access-date=6 May 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The film also earned widespread critical acclaim and won 10 awards at Filmfare, emerging as the most-awarded film in Filmfare, (tying with ''[[Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge]]'' (1995)). At the [[50th National Film Awards]], it won 5 awards including [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]]. It received a nomination for the [[BAFTA Award for Best Film|Best Foreign Film]] at the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|British Academy of Film & Television Awards (BAFTA)]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/Devdas-nominated-for-best-foreign-film-at-Bafta/articleshow/35681339.cms|title=Devdas nominated for best foreign film at Bafta - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> It was [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|India's submission]] for the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]]. The film was also screened at the [[2002 Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/devdas|title=DEVDAS - Festival de Cannes|website=Festival de Cannes|language=en|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> It stood eighth in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's "The 10 Greatest Movies of the Millennium (Thus Far)".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2012/05/17/top-10-movies-of-the-millennium/slide/devdas/|title=The 10 Great Movies of the Millennium (Thus Far)|publisher=Time.com|access-date=12 September 2014|date=17 May 2012}}</ref> His next film, ''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]'', starring [[Rani Mukerji]] and [[Amitabh Bachchan]], broke his own all-time record of ''Devdas'' by garnering 11 awards, the highest number of awards ever given to a single film at Filmfare. It stood fifth in ''Time'' (Europe)'s "10 Best Movies of the Year 2005" among films from across the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20051230-1.html |title="Black" selected amongst 10 of the best films of 2005 by ''Time'' magazine |date=30 December 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527092811/http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20051230-1.html |archive-date=27 May 2008 }}</ref> At the [[53rd National Film Awards]], he received his second National Award for [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi|Best Feature Film in Hindi]]. ''Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'', ''Devdas'' and ''Black'' earned him multiple Best Director and Best Film awards at Filmfare, the latter also received additional Critics Award for Best Film. In 2006, Bhansali participated as a judge on reality TV show ''[[Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa]]'' alongside [[Farah Khan]] and [[Shilpa Shetty]].<ref name="tvshow">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Sanjay-Leela-Bhansali-gets-into-TV-soaps/articleshow/10398541.cms|work=The Times Of India|title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali gets into TV soaps}}</ref>
 
Bhansali's next film ''[[Saawariya]]'' (2007) was met with sharp criticism and poor collections at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw==|title=Box Office 2007|publisher=BoxOfficeIndia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223235/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw==|archive-date=15 January 2013|access-date=6 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2008, Bhansali staged the opera ''[[Padmâvatî (opera)|Padmavati]]'', an adaption of the 1923 ballet written by [[Albert Roussel]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/bhansali-not-adapting-padmavati-opera-in-movie/article1-674130.aspx |author=Ians, Momabi |title=Bhansali not adapting Padmavati opera in movie |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=16 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217020013/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/bhansali-not-adapting-padmavati-opera-in-movie/article1-674130.aspx |archive-date=17 February 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thereel.scroll.in/827905/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-upcoming-historical-movie-padmavati-is-all-set-for-a-trial-by-fire |title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming historical movie 'Padmavati' is all set for a trial by fire |access-date=28 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130005136/https://thereel.scroll.in/827905/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-upcoming-historical-movie-padmavati-is-all-set-for-a-trial-by-fire |archive-date=30 January 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The show premiered in [[Paris]] at the prestigious [[Théâtre du Châtelet]] and next at the [[Festival dei Due Mondi]], where it received "fifteen minutes of standing ovation and seven curtain calls at the end of the first show."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080629/jsp/nation/story_9479541.jsp|location=Calcutta, India|work=The Telegraph|first=Amit|last=Roy|title=Indian opera goes to Italy|date=29 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slbfilms.com/synopsis/opera/16 |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912135521/http://www.slbfilms.com/synopsis/opera/16 |archive-date=12 September 2014 }}</ref> Bhansali received highly positive reviews from international critics for his work.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-32531120080317|work=[[Reuters]]|title=Devdas' experience helped Bhansali with 'Padmavati|date=17 March 2008}}</ref> In 2010, Bhansali released ''[[Guzaarish (2010 film)|Guzaarish]]'', starring [[Hrithik Roshan]] and Aishwarya Rai, in which he also made his debut in music direction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=30&contentid=200811192008111902151766911b9e476&sectxslt=section|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209062735/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=30&contentid=200811192008111902151766911b9e476&sectxslt=section|archive-date=9 December 2012|title=Roshan Raahein|date=6 May 2014}}</ref> The film received mixed reviews from critics, but could not perform well at the box office. ''Guzaarish'' earned him a Best Director nomination at Filmfare. In 2011, he became a judge on the Indian music talent show ''[[X Factor India]]'' Season 1.<ref name="tvshow" /> The same year, he also produced the musical comedy ''[[My Friend Pinto]]'', which received negative reviews and tanked at the box office. In 2012, Bhansali produced ''[[Rowdy Rathore]]'', a remake of the [[Telugu film]] ''[[Vikramarkudu]]'', starring [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Sonakshi Sinha]] and directed by [[Prabhu Deva]]. The film received mixed reviews from critics and became a major commercial success, with ''[[Box Office India]]'' labelling it as a blockbuster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=177|title=Rowdy Rathore - Movie - Box Office India|website=boxofficeindia.com|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> The following year, he produced ''[[Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi]]'', which also received mixed reviews, but could not perform well at the box office.
 
=== Widespread success (2013–present) ===
[[File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Shri Sanjay Leela Bhansali, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 30, 2015.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The President, [[Pranab Mukherjee]], presenting the Padma Shri Award to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony, at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], in New Delhi on 30 March 2015.]]
[[File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Shri Sanjay Leela Bhansali, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 30, 2015.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The President, [[Pranab Mukherjee]], presenting the Padma Shri Award to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony, at [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], in New Delhi on 30 March 2015.]]
In 2013, Bhansali directed ''[[Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela]]'', an adaptation of [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', starring [[Ranveer Singh]] and [[Deepika Padukone]] . Some religious groups opposed the movie claiming that the former title ''Ramleela'' was misleading, because the movie had nothing to do with [[Ramlila]], the traditional enactment of the life and story of Hindu deity, [[Lord Rama]]. The film's release had been stayed by [[Delhi High Court]] due to the controversy over its title, claiming that the movie hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. Later the film's title was changed to ''Goliyon ki Rasleela Ram-Leela'', and eventually released in India as scheduled. However, after a week of release, Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court banned the movie's release in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Allahabad-high-court-bans-Goliyon-ki-raasleela-Ram-Leela-in-UP/articleshow/26151042.cms|title=Allahabad high court bans 'Goliyon ki raasleela Ram-Leela' in UP - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref>  Despite the controversy and limited release, the film opened to critical acclaim and strong box office collections worldwide, ultimately earning ₹2.02 billion (US$31 million) and emerging as the fifth highest-grossing film of 2013. The film garnered several award nominations for Bhansali including Best Film and Best Director nominations at Filmfare. The same year, Bhansali debuted in television with the show ''[[Saraswatichandra (TV series)|Saraswatichandra]]'', starring [[Gautam Rode]] and [[Jennifer Winget]], which he later left after few episodes.
In 2013, Bhansali directed ''[[Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela]]'', an adaptation of [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', starring [[Deepika Padukone]] and [[Ranveer Singh]]. Some religious groups opposed the movie claiming that the former title ''Ramleela'' was misleading, because the movie had nothing to do with [[Ramlila]], the traditional enactment of the life and story of Hindu deity, [[Lord Rama]]. The film's release had been stayed by [[Delhi High Court]] due to the controversy over its title, claiming that the movie hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. Later the film's title was changed to ''Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela'', and eventually released in India as scheduled. However, after a week of release, Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court banned the movie's release in [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Allahabad-high-court-bans-Goliyon-ki-raasleela-Ram-Leela-in-UP/articleshow/26151042.cms|title=Allahabad high court bans 'Goliyon ki raasleela Ram-Leela' in UP - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref>  Despite the controversy and limited release, the film opened to critical acclaim and strong box office collections worldwide, ultimately earning ₹2.02 billion (US$31 million) and emerging as the fifth highest-grossing film of 2013. The film garnered several award nominations for Bhansali including Best Film and Best Director nominations at Filmfare. The same year, Bhansali debuted in television with the show ''[[Saraswatichandra (TV series)|Saraswatichandra]]'', starring [[Gautam Rode]] and [[Jennifer Winget]], which he later left after few episodes.


The following year, he produced the biographical sports film [[Mary Kom (film)|''Mary Kom'']] starring [[Priyanka Chopra]], which premiered at the [[2014 Toronto International Film Festival]], becoming the first Hindi film to be screened on the opening night of the festival. The film became both a commercial and critical success and received various accolades along with Best Film nomination at Filmfare. At [[62nd National Film Awards]], Bhansali received another National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for the film. In 2015, he the produced action drama film ''[[Gabbar Is Back]]'' starring Akshay Kumar, which also emerged as a commercial success with positive reviews from the critics. Bhansali's next directorial venture was his dream project, the period romance ''[[Bajirao Mastani]]'' (2015), based on the love story between [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao I]] and his second wife [[Mastani]]. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone played the title roles, while Priyanka Chopra played Bajirao's first wife [[Kashibai]]. The film was announced in 2003 and was constantly in the news regarding the cast, including such actors as [[Salman Khan]], [[Shah Rukh Khan]], [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan]], [[Kareena Kapoor]] and [[Rani Mukerji]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/news/type/view/id/1193383|title=Kareena's Plum Assignments|access-date=4 May 2014|date=1 July 2003|work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref> The descendants of Bajirao I and Mastani expressed their disapproval of this film, claiming excessive creative liberty by Bhansali causing wrongful portrayal of their ancestors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/bajirao-and-mastanis-descendants-blast-sanjay-leela-bhansali-term-him-irresponsible-for-vulgar-portrayal-of-bajirao-kashibai-and-mastani/|title=Bajirao and Mastani's descendants blast Sanjay Leela Bhansali, term him irresponsible for 'vulgar portrayal' of Bajirao, Kashibai and Mastani|date=5 December 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> A petition was filed in Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the film, but the High Court refused to interfere with its release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bombay-high-court-okays-release-of-bajirao-mastani-over-petition-seeking-stay-on-film/|title=Bajirao Mastani: Bombay HC okays release of film over petition seeking stay|date=19 December 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> It received tremendous critical acclaim across the world and was listed among the best films of 2015 by several sources.<ref>[https://www.firstpost.com%2Fbollywood%2Ffrom-baahubali-to-piku-to-bajirao-mastani-here-are-the-10-best-films-of-2015-2553722.html&usg=AFQjCNFHSHJ9OhQAN3ohzyqbQoWxcWk5fA] ''First Post''. Retrieved 13 January 2016.</ref><ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.in%2Famit-nangia-%2F2015-bollywood-cine-retro_b_8897806.html&usg=AFQjCNF_HojisMHje-0ctbI0GcSLwSToZw {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110005525/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/amit-nangia-/2015-bollywood-cine-retro_b_8897806.html |date=10 January 2016 }} ''The Huffington Post''. Retrieved 13 January 2016.</ref><ref>http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhindi%2Fbollywood%2Fnews%2FMust-watch-Bollywood-movies-of-2015%2Farticleshow%2F50350065.cms&usg=AFQjCNHTsTUZkD5bFTsS_aJvvkeP2cuw3A ''The Times of India''. Retrieved 13 January 2016.</ref> Despite the controversy, the film emerged as one of the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Indian films of all time]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/552|title=Box Office: Worldwide Collections of Bajirao Mastani|work=Bollywood Hungama|date=19 December 2015|access-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> The film received many [[List of accolades received by Bajirao Mastani|accolades]] at various award ceremonies in India. At the [[63rd National Film Awards]], ''Bajirao Mastani'' won seven awards and Bhansali won the National Award for Best Director.<ref>{{cite news|title=63rd National Film Awards: List of winners|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/63rd-National-Film-Awards-List-of-winners/articleshow/51580133.cms|work=The Times of India|date=28 March 2013|access-date=28 March 2016}}</ref> The film was featured at the 2016 ''Indian Panorama'' section of the [[International Film Festival of India]]. ''Bajirao Mastani'' was selected as India's official entry for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] for the [[74th Golden Globe Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/bajirao-mastani-india|title=Bajirao Mastani (India)|website=www.goldenglobes.com|language=en|access-date=23 July 2017}}</ref> The following year, he produced the Marathi film ''[[Laal Ishq (film)|Laal Ishq]].''
The following year, he produced the biographical sports film [[Mary Kom (film)|''Mary Kom'']] starring [[Priyanka Chopra]], which premiered at the [[2014 Toronto International Film Festival]], becoming the first Hindi film to be screened on the opening night of the festival. The film became both a critical and commercial success and received various accolades including a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Film. At the [[62nd National Film Awards]], Bhansali received another National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for the film. In 2015, he produced the action drama ''[[Gabbar Is Back]]'' starring Akshay Kumar, which also emerged as a commercial success and received positive reviews from critics.  


Bhansali directed [[historical drama|period drama]] film ''[[Padmaavat]]'', jointly produced by him and [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures]], and also written by him. The film features Deepika Padukone in the title role as [[Rani Padmini]], alongside [[Shahid Kapoor]] and Ranveer Singh in the title roles of [[Rawal Ratan Singh]] and [[Alauddin Khalji]] respectively. During the shooting of the film in January 2017 in [[Jaipur]], the members of [[Shri Rajput Karni Sena]] protested at the sets at [[Jaigarh Fort]], physically attacked Bhansali and his crew members, alleging that he misrepresented historical facts and depicted them erroneously in the film, and also tried to vandalise the sets.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thereel.scroll.in/827905/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-upcoming-historical-movie-padmavati-is-all-set-for-a-trial-by-fire|title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming historical movie 'Padmavati' is all set for a trial by fire|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|work=Scroll.in|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130005136/https://thereel.scroll.in/827905/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-upcoming-historical-movie-padmavati-is-all-set-for-a-trial-by-fire|archive-date=30 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/padmavati-film-shooting-stalled-by-rajput-group-in-jaipur/articleshow/56812974.cms|title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' shooting stalled by Rajput group in Jaipur - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> On 6 March 2017, members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena vandalised the [[Chittor Fort]] again and broke the mirrors installed in the palace of Rani Padmini.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/weeks-after-attack-on-bhansali-over-padmavati-film-mirrors-in-chittorgarh-fort-broken/story-9YZ0SywKqCQfqAG99sutdP.html|title=Karni Sena vandalises Chittorgarh Fort, breaks mirrors in the palace of Rani Padmini|date=6 March 2017|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> On 15 March 2017, a group of unidentified vandals again attacked and set fire to the sets of this movie in Kolhapur which led to the production set, costumes and jewelleries being burnt.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/padmavati-set-fire-kohlapur-sanjay-leela-bhansali/1/904277.html|title=Padmavati row intensifies: Film set burnt in Kolhapur, to get 24 hour security|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> The film earned 30 million dollars in the first four days after its release.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
Bhansali's next directorial venture was his dream project, the period romantic drama ''[[Bajirao Mastani]]'' (2015), based on the love story between [[Peshwa]] [[Baji Rao I]] and his second wife [[Mastani]]. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone played the title roles, while Priyanka Chopra played Bajirao's first wife, [[Kashibai]]. The film was announced in 2003 and was constantly in the news regarding the cast, including actors such as [[Salman Khan]], [[Shah Rukh Khan]], [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan]], [[Kareena Kapoor]] and [[Rani Mukerji]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/news/type/view/id/1193383|title=Kareena's Plum Assignments|access-date=4 May 2014|date=1 July 2003|work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]}}</ref> The descendants of Bajirao I and Mastani expressed their disapproval of this film, claiming excessive creative liberty by Bhansali causing wrongful portrayal of their ancestors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/bajirao-and-mastanis-descendants-blast-sanjay-leela-bhansali-term-him-irresponsible-for-vulgar-portrayal-of-bajirao-kashibai-and-mastani/|title=Bajirao and Mastani's descendants blast Sanjay Leela Bhansali, term him irresponsible for 'vulgar portrayal' of Bajirao, Kashibai and Mastani|date=5 December 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> A petition was filed in Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the film, but the High Court refused to interfere with its release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/bombay-high-court-okays-release-of-bajirao-mastani-over-petition-seeking-stay-on-film/|title=Bajirao Mastani: Bombay HC okays release of film over petition seeking stay|date=19 December 2015|work=The Indian Express|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> It received high critical acclaim worldwide and was listed among the best films of 2015 by several sources.<ref>[https://www.firstpost.com%2Fbollywood%2Ffrom-baahubali-to-piku-to-bajirao-mastani-here-are-the-10-best-films-of-2015-2553722.html&usg=AFQjCNFHSHJ9OhQAN3ohzyqbQoWxcWk5fA] ''First Post''. Retrieved 13 January 2016.</ref><ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.in%2Famit-nangia-%2F2015-bollywood-cine-retro_b_8897806.html&usg=AFQjCNF_HojisMHje-0ctbI0GcSLwSToZw {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110005525/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/amit-nangia-/2015-bollywood-cine-retro_b_8897806.html |date=10 January 2016 }} ''The Huffington Post''. Retrieved 13 January 2016.</ref><ref>http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhindi%2Fbollywood%2Fnews%2FMust-watch-Bollywood-movies-of-2015%2Farticleshow%2F50350065.cms&usg=AFQjCNHTsTUZkD5bFTsS_aJvvkeP2cuw3A ''The Times of India''. Retrieved 13 January 2016.</ref> Despite the controversy, the film emerged as one of the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Indian films of all time]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/552|title=Box Office: Worldwide Collections of Bajirao Mastani|work=Bollywood Hungama|date=19 December 2015|access-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> The film received many [[List of accolades received by Bajirao Mastani|accolades]] at various award ceremonies in India. At the [[63rd National Film Awards]], ''Bajirao Mastani'' won 7 awards and Bhansali won the National Award for Best Director, in addition to winning Best Film and Best Director at Filmfare.<ref>{{cite news|title=63rd National Film Awards: List of winners|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/63rd-National-Film-Awards-List-of-winners/articleshow/51580133.cms|work=The Times of India|date=28 March 2013|access-date=28 March 2016}}</ref> The film was featured at the 2016 ''Indian Panorama'' section of the [[International Film Festival of India]]. ''Bajirao Mastani'' was selected as India's official entry for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] for the [[74th Golden Globe Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/bajirao-mastani-india|title=Bajirao Mastani (India)|website=www.goldenglobes.com|language=en|access-date=23 July 2017}}</ref> The following year, he produced the Marathi film ''[[Laal Ishq (film)|Laal Ishq]].''


In 2021, Bhansali is coming up with ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'', a biographical, crime film based on a chapter of [[Hussain Zaidi]]'s book ''[[Mafia Queens of Mumbai]]''. The film about [[Gangubai Kothewali]], stars [[Alia Bhatt]] as Gangubai, and is scheduled for release on 30 July 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Alia Bhatt Unveils New Gangubai Kathiawadi Poster, Film Set to Clash with Prabhas' Radhe Shyam|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/alia-bhatt-unveils-new-gangubai-kathiawadi-poster-film-set-to-clash-with-prabhas-radhe-shyam-3467972.html|date=24 February 2021|work=News18 |access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref>
Bhansali directed the [[historical drama|period drama]] film ''[[Padmaavat]]'' (2018), jointly produced by him and [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures]], and also written by him. The film features Deepika Padukone in the title role as [[Rani Padmini]], alongside [[Shahid Kapoor]] and Ranveer Singh in the title roles of [[Rawal Ratan Singh]] and [[Alauddin Khalji]] respectively. During the shooting of the film in January 2017 in [[Jaipur]], the members of [[Shri Rajput Karni Sena]] protested at the sets at [[Jaigarh Fort]], physically attacked Bhansali and his crew members, alleging that he misrepresented historical facts and depicted them erroneously in the film, and also tried to vandalise the sets.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thereel.scroll.in/827905/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-upcoming-historical-movie-padmavati-is-all-set-for-a-trial-by-fire|title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming historical movie 'Padmavati' is all set for a trial by fire|last=Ramnath|first=Nandini|work=Scroll.in|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130005136/https://thereel.scroll.in/827905/sanjay-leela-bhansalis-upcoming-historical-movie-padmavati-is-all-set-for-a-trial-by-fire|archive-date=30 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/padmavati-film-shooting-stalled-by-rajput-group-in-jaipur/articleshow/56812974.cms|title=Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' shooting stalled by Rajput group in Jaipur - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> On 6 March 2017, members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena vandalised the [[Chittor Fort]] again and broke the mirrors installed in the palace of Rani Padmini.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/weeks-after-attack-on-bhansali-over-padmavati-film-mirrors-in-chittorgarh-fort-broken/story-9YZ0SywKqCQfqAG99sutdP.html|title=Karni Sena vandalises Chittorgarh Fort, breaks mirrors in the palace of Rani Padmini|date=6 March 2017|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=18 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> On 15 March 2017, a group of unidentified vandals again attacked and set fire to the sets of this movie in Kolhapur which led to the production set, costumes and jewelleries being burnt.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/padmavati-set-fire-kohlapur-sanjay-leela-bhansali/1/904277.html|title=Padmavati row intensifies: Film set burnt in Kolhapur, to get 24 hour security|access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> The film earned 30 million dollars in the first four days after its release.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} ''Padmaavat'' emerged as the highest-grossing film on the year, and received highly positive reviews from critics, and earned Bhansali the [[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]] and the [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director]], in addition to Best Film and Best Director nominations at Filmfare.
 
In 2021, Bhansali is coming up with ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]'', a biographical crime film based on a chapter of [[Hussain Zaidi]]'s book ''[[Mafia Queens of Mumbai]]''. The film about [[Gangubai Kothewali]], stars [[Alia Bhatt]] as Gangubai, and was scheduled for release on 30 July 2021, but was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Alia Bhatt Unveils New Gangubai Kathiawadi Poster, Film Set to Clash with Prabhas' Radhe Shyam|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/alia-bhatt-unveils-new-gangubai-kathiawadi-poster-film-set-to-clash-with-prabhas-radhe-shyam-3467972.html|date=24 February 2021|work=News18 |access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
Line 48: Line 66:
| Denotes Upcoming films
| Denotes Upcoming films
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%;" textcolor:#000;"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|- style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"
|+ Film
| scope="col" style="width:5%;"|'''Year'''
|-
| scope="col" style="width:20%;"|'''Film'''
! scope="col" | Year
| scope="col" style="width:8%;"|'''Director'''
! scope="col" | Title
| scope="col" style="width:8%;"|'''Producer'''
! scope="col" width=65 |Director
| scope="col" style="width:8%;"|'''Writer'''
! scope="col" width=65 |Writer
| scope="col" style="width:8%;"|'''Editor'''
! scope="col" width=65 |Producer
| scope="col" style="width:8%;"|'''Music Director'''
! scope="col" width=65 |Editor
| scope="col" style="width:8%;"|'''Assistant Director'''
! scope="col" width=65 |Composer
| scope="col" style="width:37%;"| '''Notes'''
! scope="col" width=65 |Assistant director
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|-
| 1989
| 1989
Line 73: Line 92:
! scope="row" | ''[[1942: A Love Story]]''
! scope="row" | ''[[1942: A Love Story]]''
|
|
|{{Yes}}
|
|
|{{Yes}}
|
|
|
|
Line 83: Line 102:
! scope="row" | ''[[Khamoshi: The Musical]]''
! scope="row" | ''[[Khamoshi: The Musical]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
| [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film]]
| [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film|Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics)]]
|-
|-
| 1999
| 1999
Line 104: Line 123:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|
|
| {{Yes}}
|
|
|
|
Line 112: Line 131:
| 2005
| 2005
! scope="row" | ''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]''
! scope="row" | ''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
Line 117: Line 137:
|
|
|
|
|
| [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi]]<br/>Filmfare Award for Best Film
| [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi]]<br/>Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film<br/>Filmfare Award for Best Film<br/>Filmfare Award for Best Director
Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics)<br />Filmfare Award for Best Director
|-
|-
| 2007
| 2007
Line 206: Line 226:
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|
| [[National Film Award for Best Direction]]<br/>Filmfare Award for Best Director<br/>Filmfare Award for Best Film<br/>Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
| [[National Film Award for Best Direction]]
Filmfare Award for Best Film<br />Filmfare Award for Best Director<br />Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
|-
| 2016
! scope="row" | ''[[Laal Ishq (film)|Laal Ishq]]''
|
|
| {{Yes}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
| 2018
| 2018
Line 217: Line 248:
|
|
|[[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]]
|[[National Film Award for Best Music Direction]]
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director<br/>Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director<br/>Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Film
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
 
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Film<br />Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director
|-
|-
| 2019
| 2019
Line 229: Line 262:
|
|
|-
|-
| 2021
| 2022
! scope="row" | ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''
! scope="row" | ''[[Gangubai Kathiawadi]]''
| {{Yes}}  
| {{Yes}}  
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}  
| {{Yes}}  
|
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|
|-
| {{TBA}}
! scope="row" | ''Untitled Project with [[Aamir Khan]]''
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|
|
|
|
|}
=== Frequent Actor and Artist Collaborations as Director ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="background:#cfc;"| {{dagger|alt=Collaborated as Lead Actor/Actress in the film}}
| Collaborated as Lead Actor/Actress in the film
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=100%
|- style="background:#cfc; text-align:center;"
! scope="col" width=14%|Actor(s)
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Khamoshi: The Musical|Khamoshi]] <br /><small>(1996)</small>''
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam]]''<br /><small>(1999)</small>
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Devdas (2002 Hindi film)|Devdas]]''<br /><small>(2002)</small>
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Black (2005 film)|Black]]''<br /><small>(2005)</small>
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Saawariya]]''<br /><small>(2007)</small>
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Guzaarish (2010 film)|Guzaarish]]''<br /><small>(2010)</small>
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela|Ram-Leela]]''<br /><small>(2013)</small>
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Bajirao Mastani]]''<br /><small>(2015)</small>
! scope="col" width=9%|''[[Padmaavat]]''<br /><small>(2018)</small>
! scope="col" width=5%| Total
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"|[[Aishwarya Rai]]
|
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
|
|
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
|
|
|
|3
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| [[Deepika Padukone]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
|3
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| [[Helen (actress)|Helen]]
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|2
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Priyanka Chopra]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|2
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| [[Rani Mukerji]]
|
|
|
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|2
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| [[Ranveer Singh]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
|3
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Raza Murad]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|3
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| [[Salman Khan]]
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
| {{ya}}<br/>{{dagger}}
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|3
|-
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| [[Shernaz Patel]]
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|2
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| Vijay Crishna
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|2
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| [[Zohra Sehgal]]
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|2
|-
! scope="row"  style="text-align:left"| [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]]
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|3
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left"|[[Shreya Ghoshal]]
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|5
|-
|}
|}


Line 435: Line 279:


=== Stage ===
=== Stage ===
* Stage Opera ''Padmavati'' (Director) – 2018<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-01/news-interviews/27925195_1_sanjay-leela-bhansali-elephant-ovation | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140312121532/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-01/news-interviews/27925195_1_sanjay-leela-bhansali-elephant-ovation | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 March 2014 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Bhansali happy with 'baby' | date=1 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://slbfilms.com/synopsis/opera/16 |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312225025/http://slbfilms.com/synopsis/opera/16 |archive-date=12 March 2014 }}</ref>
* Stage Opera ''Padmavati'' (Director) – 2008<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-01/news-interviews/27925195_1_sanjay-leela-bhansali-elephant-ovation | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140312121532/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-07-01/news-interviews/27925195_1_sanjay-leela-bhansali-elephant-ovation | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 March 2014 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Bhansali happy with 'baby' | date=1 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://slbfilms.com/synopsis/opera/16 |title=Archived copy |access-date=12 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312225025/http://slbfilms.com/synopsis/opera/16 |archive-date=12 March 2014 }}</ref>
 
=== Web series ===
* ''Heeramandi'' (Director) – upcoming<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jha |first1=Subhash K. |title=“Every episode of Heeramandi is like an independent feature film”, says filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/every-episode-heeramandi-like-independent-feature-film-says-filmmaker-sanjay-leela-bhansali/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=10 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
Line 481: Line 328:
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Indian Jain directors]]
[[Category:Producers who won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award]]
[[Category:Producers who won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award]]
[[Category:Directors who won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award]]
[[Category:Directors who won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian Jains]]

Revision as of 08:57, 26 June 2022


Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Bhansali in 2021
Born (1963-02-24) 24 February 1963 (age 63)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Occupation
AwardsFull list
HonoursPadma Shri (2015)
Signature

Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Gujarati: [ˈsəndʒeː ˈlilɑː ˈbʱəɳsɑliː]; born 24 February 1963) is an Indian filmmaker, director, screenwriter, and music composer who is known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of several awards, including five National Film Awards, ten Filmfare Awards and a BAFTA nomination.[1] In 2015, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award.

Bhansali's directorial debut was the musical romance Khamoshi (1996), that earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics). He then attained huge stardom and prominence in Hindi cinema with the highly successful love triangle Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and the period romance Devdas (2002); the latter was nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language at BAFTA.[1] The drama Black (2005) became one of the most critically acclaimed and awarded Hindi films, winning him multiple Best Director Awards and Best Film Awards along with additional Best Film (Critics) at Filmfare Awards. He also won multiple National Film Awards for Devdas and Black but failed to maintain more success with his subsequent projects Saawariya (2007) and Guzaarish (2010).

Bhansali retained his vision of direction by adaptating Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet into film with Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), that opened to mixed reviews but strong box office collections. His home production, the sports film Mary Kom (2014), earned him a third National Film Award. He built his establishment and enhanced his vision more by directing the big-scale period dramas Bajirao Mastani (2015) and Padmaavat (2018), both of which rank among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

For Bajirao Mastani, Bhansali was feliciated with National Film Award for Best Direction, as well as Filmfare Awards for Best Director and Best Film; and for Padmaavat, he won a National Film Award for Best Music Direction and Filmfare Award for Best Music Director. His next, the crime drama Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), unlike his other films that focused on a lady mafia don, opened after huge delays since 2020 due to COVID-19 but still bought him big revenues and became a commercial success. Both Mary Kom and Gangubai Kathiawadi rank among the highest-grossing female centric Hindi films ever. He is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India, and produces films under his banner Bhansali Productions.[2]

Early life

Sanjay Leela Bhansali was born on 24 February 1963 in Bhuleshwar, South Bombay into a Gujarati Jain family.[3][4] His mother, Leela, used to sew clothes to make ends meet.[5] He speaks Gujarati at home and loves Gujarati food, music, literature and architecture.[3][4]

Career

Early work (1989–2002)

Sanjay, Ranveer and Deepika smiles away the camera
Bhansali with Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone during the trailer launch of Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela in 2013

Bhansali began his career as an assistant to Vidhu Vinod Chopra and was involved in the making of Parinda, 1942: A Love Story and Kareeb. However, they had a falling-out when Bhansali refused to direct Kareeb. In 1996, he made his directorial debut with Khamoshi: The Musical, the commercially unsuccessful but critically acclaimed narration of a daughter's struggle to communicate with her deaf-mute parents.[6] The film earned the Best Film (Critics) at Filmfare.

He rose to prominence in Indian cinema with a triangular love story, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), starring Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan, and Ajay Devgan, which established his individualistic stamp for visual splendour and creating auras of celebration and festivity. The film was premiered in the Indian Panorama section at the 1999 International Film Festival of India. It was a critical and commercial success, and won numerous awards including 4 National Awards and 9 Filmfare Awards.[7]

Devdas and career influctuations (2002–2012)

His next film Devdas (2002), starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit, was Bhansali's ode to the novel of the same name, which became the highest-grossing film of the year.[8] The film also earned widespread critical acclaim and won 10 awards at Filmfare, emerging as the most-awarded film in Filmfare, (tying with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)). At the 50th National Film Awards, it won 5 awards including Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. It received a nomination for the Best Foreign Film at the British Academy of Film & Television Awards (BAFTA).[9] It was India's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The film was also screened at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.[10] It stood eighth in Time magazine's "The 10 Greatest Movies of the Millennium (Thus Far)".[11] His next film, Black, starring Rani Mukerji and Amitabh Bachchan, broke his own all-time record of Devdas by garnering 11 awards, the highest number of awards ever given to a single film at Filmfare. It stood fifth in Time (Europe)'s "10 Best Movies of the Year 2005" among films from across the world.[12] At the 53rd National Film Awards, he received his second National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and Black earned him multiple Best Director and Best Film awards at Filmfare, the latter also received additional Critics Award for Best Film. In 2006, Bhansali participated as a judge on reality TV show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa alongside Farah Khan and Shilpa Shetty.[13]

Bhansali's next film Saawariya (2007) was met with sharp criticism and poor collections at the box office.[14] In 2008, Bhansali staged the opera Padmavati, an adaption of the 1923 ballet written by Albert Roussel.[15][16] The show premiered in Paris at the prestigious Théâtre du Châtelet and next at the Festival dei Due Mondi, where it received "fifteen minutes of standing ovation and seven curtain calls at the end of the first show."[17][18] Bhansali received highly positive reviews from international critics for his work.[19] In 2010, Bhansali released Guzaarish, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, in which he also made his debut in music direction.[20] The film received mixed reviews from critics, but could not perform well at the box office. Guzaarish earned him a Best Director nomination at Filmfare. In 2011, he became a judge on the Indian music talent show X Factor India Season 1.[13] The same year, he also produced the musical comedy My Friend Pinto, which received negative reviews and tanked at the box office. In 2012, Bhansali produced Rowdy Rathore, a remake of the Telugu film Vikramarkudu, starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha and directed by Prabhu Deva. The film received mixed reviews from critics and became a major commercial success, with Box Office India labelling it as a blockbuster.[21] The following year, he produced Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi, which also received mixed reviews, but could not perform well at the box office.

Widespread success (2013–present)

The President, Pranab Mukherjee, presenting the Padma Shri Award to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 30 March 2015.

In 2013, Bhansali directed Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. Some religious groups opposed the movie claiming that the former title Ramleela was misleading, because the movie had nothing to do with Ramlila, the traditional enactment of the life and story of Hindu deity, Lord Rama. The film's release had been stayed by Delhi High Court due to the controversy over its title, claiming that the movie hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. Later the film's title was changed to Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, and eventually released in India as scheduled. However, after a week of release, Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court banned the movie's release in Uttar Pradesh.[22] Despite the controversy and limited release, the film opened to critical acclaim and strong box office collections worldwide, ultimately earning ₹2.02 billion (US$31 million) and emerging as the fifth highest-grossing film of 2013. The film garnered several award nominations for Bhansali including Best Film and Best Director nominations at Filmfare. The same year, Bhansali debuted in television with the show Saraswatichandra, starring Gautam Rode and Jennifer Winget, which he later left after few episodes.

The following year, he produced the biographical sports film Mary Kom starring Priyanka Chopra, which premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, becoming the first Hindi film to be screened on the opening night of the festival. The film became both a critical and commercial success and received various accolades including a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Film. At the 62nd National Film Awards, Bhansali received another National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for the film. In 2015, he produced the action drama Gabbar Is Back starring Akshay Kumar, which also emerged as a commercial success and received positive reviews from critics.

Bhansali's next directorial venture was his dream project, the period romantic drama Bajirao Mastani (2015), based on the love story between Peshwa Baji Rao I and his second wife Mastani. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone played the title roles, while Priyanka Chopra played Bajirao's first wife, Kashibai. The film was announced in 2003 and was constantly in the news regarding the cast, including actors such as Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji.[23] The descendants of Bajirao I and Mastani expressed their disapproval of this film, claiming excessive creative liberty by Bhansali causing wrongful portrayal of their ancestors.[24] A petition was filed in Bombay High Court seeking a stay on the film, but the High Court refused to interfere with its release.[25] It received high critical acclaim worldwide and was listed among the best films of 2015 by several sources.[26][27][28] Despite the controversy, the film emerged as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.[29] The film received many accolades at various award ceremonies in India. At the 63rd National Film Awards, Bajirao Mastani won 7 awards and Bhansali won the National Award for Best Director, in addition to winning Best Film and Best Director at Filmfare.[30] The film was featured at the 2016 Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India. Bajirao Mastani was selected as India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the 74th Golden Globe Awards.[31] The following year, he produced the Marathi film Laal Ishq.

Bhansali directed the period drama film Padmaavat (2018), jointly produced by him and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, and also written by him. The film features Deepika Padukone in the title role as Rani Padmini, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in the title roles of Rawal Ratan Singh and Alauddin Khalji respectively. During the shooting of the film in January 2017 in Jaipur, the members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena protested at the sets at Jaigarh Fort, physically attacked Bhansali and his crew members, alleging that he misrepresented historical facts and depicted them erroneously in the film, and also tried to vandalise the sets.[32][33] On 6 March 2017, members of Shri Rajput Karni Sena vandalised the Chittor Fort again and broke the mirrors installed in the palace of Rani Padmini.[34] On 15 March 2017, a group of unidentified vandals again attacked and set fire to the sets of this movie in Kolhapur which led to the production set, costumes and jewelleries being burnt.[35] The film earned 30 million dollars in the first four days after its release.[citation needed] Padmaavat emerged as the highest-grossing film on the year, and received highly positive reviews from critics, and earned Bhansali the National Film Award for Best Music Direction and the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director, in addition to Best Film and Best Director nominations at Filmfare.

In 2021, Bhansali is coming up with Gangubai Kathiawadi, a biographical crime film based on a chapter of Hussain Zaidi's book Mafia Queens of Mumbai. The film about Gangubai Kothewali, stars Alia Bhatt as Gangubai, and was scheduled for release on 30 July 2021, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[36]

Filmography

Films

Denotes Upcoming films Denotes Upcoming films
Film
Year Title Director Writer Producer Editor Composer Assistant director Notes
1989 Parinda Yes
1994 1942: A Love Story Yes
1996 Khamoshi: The Musical Yes Yes Yes Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics)
1999 Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Yes Yes Yes Filmfare Award for Best Film
Filmfare Award for Best Director
2002 Devdas Yes Yes National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
Filmfare Award for Best Film
Filmfare Award for Best Director
2005 Black Yes Yes Yes National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi
Filmfare Award for Best Film

Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics)
Filmfare Award for Best Director

2007 Saawariya Yes Yes Yes
2010 Guzaarish Yes Yes Yes Yes Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director
2011 My Friend Pinto Yes
2012 Rowdy Rathore Yes
Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi Yes Yes
2013 Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Film
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
2014 Mary Kom Yes National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Film
2015 Gabbar Is Back Yes
Bajirao Mastani Yes Yes Yes National Film Award for Best Direction

Filmfare Award for Best Film
Filmfare Award for Best Director
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Music Director

2016 Laal Ishq Yes
2018 Padmaavat Yes Yes Yes Yes National Film Award for Best Music Direction

Filmfare Award for Best Music Director

Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Film
Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director

2019 Malaal Yes Yes
2022 Gangubai Kathiawadi Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Television

Stage

  • Stage Opera Padmavati (Director) – 2008[37][38]

Web series

  • Heeramandi (Director) – upcoming[39]

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Film in 2003 | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ↑ Verma, Sukanya (6 November 2007). "OSO-Saawariya rivalry: May the best director win". Rediff.com. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Priya Gupta (12 November 2013). "When I am not being watched, I too am a loud Gujarati: Sanjay Leela Bhansali". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Jains steal the show with 7 Padmas". The Times of India. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  5. ↑ "The truth about Sanjay Leela Bhansali". Rediff. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  6. ↑ "Khamoshi (Silence: The Musical) Review". Channel 4. Retrieved 14 March 2007.
  7. ↑ "Box Office 1999". BoxOfficeIndia.Com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Box Office 2002". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Devdas nominated for best foreign film at Bafta - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "DEVDAS - Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  11. ↑ "The 10 Great Movies of the Millennium (Thus Far)". Time.com. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  12. ↑ ""Black" selected amongst 10 of the best films of 2005 by Time magazine". 30 December 2005. Archived from the original on 27 May 2008.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Sanjay Leela Bhansali gets into TV soaps". The Times Of India.
  14. ↑ "Box Office 2007". BoxOfficeIndia. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  15. ↑ Ians, Momabi (16 March 2011). "Bhansali not adapting Padmavati opera in movie". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming historical movie 'Padmavati' is all set for a trial by fire". Archived from the original on 30 January 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  17. ↑ Roy, Amit (29 June 2008). "Indian opera goes to Italy". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India.
  18. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ↑ "Devdas' experience helped Bhansali with 'Padmavati". Reuters. 17 March 2008.
  20. ↑ "Roshan Raahein". 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 9 December 2012.
  21. ↑ "Rowdy Rathore - Movie - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  22. ↑ "Allahabad high court bans 'Goliyon ki raasleela Ram-Leela' in UP - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  23. ↑ "Kareena's Plum Assignments". Bollywood Hungama. 1 July 2003. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "Bajirao and Mastani's descendants blast Sanjay Leela Bhansali, term him irresponsible for 'vulgar portrayal' of Bajirao, Kashibai and Mastani". The Indian Express. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  25. ↑ "Bajirao Mastani: Bombay HC okays release of film over petition seeking stay". The Indian Express. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  26. ↑ [1] First Post. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  27. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.in%2Famit-nangia-%2F2015-bollywood-cine-retro_b_8897806.html&usg=AFQjCNF_HojisMHje-0ctbI0GcSLwSToZw Archived 10 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Huffington Post. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  28. ↑ http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fentertainment%2Fhindi%2Fbollywood%2Fnews%2FMust-watch-Bollywood-movies-of-2015%2Farticleshow%2F50350065.cms&usg=AFQjCNHTsTUZkD5bFTsS_aJvvkeP2cuw3A The Times of India. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  29. ↑ "Box Office: Worldwide Collections of Bajirao Mastani". Bollywood Hungama. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  30. ↑ "63rd National Film Awards: List of winners". The Times of India. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  31. ↑ "Bajirao Mastani (India)". www.goldenglobes.com. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  32. ↑ Ramnath, Nandini. "Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming historical movie 'Padmavati' is all set for a trial by fire". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 30 January 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  33. ↑ "Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' shooting stalled by Rajput group in Jaipur - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  34. ↑ "Karni Sena vandalises Chittorgarh Fort, breaks mirrors in the palace of Rani Padmini". Hindustan Times. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  35. ↑ "Padmavati row intensifies: Film set burnt in Kolhapur, to get 24 hour security". Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  36. ↑ "Alia Bhatt Unveils New Gangubai Kathiawadi Poster, Film Set to Clash with Prabhas' Radhe Shyam". News18. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  37. ↑ "Bhansali happy with 'baby'". The Times of India. 1 July 2008.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  38. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. ↑ Jha, Subhash K. (10 May 2022). ""Every episode of Heeramandi is like an independent feature film", says filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 17 May 2022.

External links

Template:Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sanjay_Leela_Bhansali&oldid=335680"
Discover more