Sanjay Leela Bhansali has shaped modern Indian cinema like no other. From the emotional depth of Khamoshi: The OTT Blockbuster Heeramandi and his other films have left an indelible mark on Bollywood and global audiences. Even as he turns 60, his passion for storytelling remains undiminished.
The Rise Of A Visionary
Bhansali’s debut film, Khamoshi: The Musical, failed at the box office, leaving him heartbroken. However, he didn’t let failure define him. His next film, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, introduced his signature opulence, making him a force to be reckoned with. Then With Devdas, Bhansali created cinematic history. Featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, the film was a spectacle of love, heartbreak, and grandeur. Devdas remains one of Bollywood’s most iconic love stories, proving that true love and passion are eternal themes.
‘I Gave Everything I Had To…’
Looking back at Devdas Bhansali revealed his passion for the film and said, “How can love ever grow irrelevant? Devdas is the ultimate love story. The novel belonged to an era when drinking, going to nautch girls and loving your neighbour’s daughter were taboo. All that is irrelevant today. But Devdas’s unflinching love for Paro whereby even the seductive Chandramukhi couldn’t distract him, is timeless. He’s like Vishwamitra who doesn’t lose his concentration no matter what the temptation. Chandramukhi tries so hard to wean him away. But his love was so pure . To him love to him was about the purity that Paro represented. In his dying moments all he wants to see is the woman he loves . Devdas gave dignity to the concept of love. I’ve never heard of such love anywhere else. I love this film as much as Devdas loved his Paro. I’ve put more sincerity and passion into Devdas than my other two films put together . I gave everything I had to give to Devdas.
Breaking Barriers With Black
Bhansali’s Black, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji, was a groundbreaking film that redefined Indian cinema. It showcased the power of storytelling beyond commercial success and proved that artistic excellence could find mainstream recognition.
Summing up his career so far Bhansali said, “I worked my way to reach there. When my first film Khamoshi didn’t do well I didn’t buckle under pressure. I accepted the fact that maybe there were flaws in the film…or that it came at a time when the shaadi-baraat trend had just started. Still many people loved Khamoshi … and said it was my best film. That’s where my power came from. No matter how Khamoshi fared I still had the courage to still take up an unconventional theme to make Hum… Dil De Chuke Sanam. They said the Indian audience would never accept the theme of a husband taking his wife to her lover.
The audience has been with me all the way, right up to Gangubai Kathiawadi and Heeramandi. Now when I’ve the audience with me I know I have to reach beyond where I have already reached. I don’t believe in demanding an audience. I believe in giving to them wholeheartedly. That’s when they reciprocate your gesture.”
