Sanjay Leela Bhansali Indian film director, screenwriter and producer Date of Birth: 24.02.1963 Country: India

1. Early Life and Influences
2. Career Beginnings
3. Rise to Stardom
4. Continued Success and Recognition
5. Later Films and Acclaim
6. Controversies and Recent Success

Early Life and Influences

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an acclaimed Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer. Born in Mumbai, India, he graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India, where he studied under the legendary filmmaker, actor, and critic Raj Kapoor. As a tribute to his mother, Leela Bhansali, he adopted the middle name "Leela". In 2015, he was bestowed with Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor.

Career Beginnings

Bhansali's career began as an assistant director and producer for Vidhu Vinod Chopra, collaborating on films such as "Parinda," "1942: A Love Story," and "Kareeb." However, after departing from "Kareeb," he made his directorial debut with "Khamoshi: The Musical," a critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful narrative about a young girl struggling to communicate with her deaf parents.

Rise to Stardom

In 1999, Bhansali founded SLB Films, a production company based in Mumbai. His subsequent film, "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam," was a love triangle that became his signature work, showcasing his lavish visual style and celebratory mood. It achieved immense success and won numerous awards.

Bhansali further cemented his reputation with "Devdas," an adaptation of the classic novel of the same name. The Indian version became the year's highest-grossing film, swept major Bollywood awards, and was India's official entry for the Oscars. Its musical score garnered critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival.

Continued Success and Recognition

Bhansali's "Black" was rated by Time among the top ten films of 2005 worldwide. At the 2006 Filmfare Awards, it set a record by winning 11 awards. After a string of four successes, he faced his first major setback with "Saawariya," which received negative reviews and performed poorly at the box office.

His current project, "Chenab Gandhi," directed by Vibhu Puri and co-written by Bhavani Iyer of "Black," follows three characters portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan, Harman Baweja, and Vidya Balan, with a central focus on the Indian freedom fighter Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known as "Frontier Gandhi."

Later Films and Acclaim

In 2010, Bhansali directed, wrote, and composed music for "Guzaarish," starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. His next directorial venture, "Ram-Leela," a modern-day adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," featured Deepika Padukone in the lead role and was released in 2013.

"Bajirao Mastani," an Indian epic historical romance, was released in 2015. Based on Nagnath S. Inamdar's novel "Raau," it starred Ranveer Singh, Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra. The film was one of India's most expensive and highest-grossing productions, receiving several national film awards.

Controversies and Recent Success

In early 2018, Bhansali's "Padmaavat," about the Indian queen Rani Padmini, sparked controversy due to Rajput protests against its depiction. Amidst threats, the film's release was met with high security.

Despite the controversy, "Padmaavat" was a commercial success and won a number of awards. Bhansali continues to be a celebrated filmmaker, renowned for his grand visuals, storytelling prowess, and enduring impact on Indian cinema.