Dive into the magic of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s filmmaking, where colossal sets and empowered women create cinematic gold. Hits from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam to Padmaavat have audiences hooked on more than just dialogues and drama.
On his birthday, February 24, we revisit why Bhansali’s period epics mesmerize. His production designs are feats of engineering and artistry, evoking golden historical epochs. Astonishingly, these sets match full-film budgets elsewhere. Devdas’s Chandramukhi kotha and Paro mansion? A cool 15 crores. Plus, 600 sarees tailored exclusively for Aishwarya.
Central to his stories are formidable female figures—Leela’s sensuality, Sonakshi’s intrigue in Heeramandi—towering over emotionally fragile men.
Bhansali credits his mother Leela’s indomitable spirit. Facing life’s battles, she sewed clothes, crafted saree embellishments, and performed dances with perpetual joy. Vowing to honor her, he ensures his heroines command vast stages with the same unshakeable power.
In Devdas discussions, he described Aishwarya and Madhuri as maternal deities, underscoring women’s supreme strength. A lifelong Raj Kapoor devotee, Bhansali infuses his work with the showman’s emotional grandeur.
Through spectacle and substance, Bhansali elevates women, crafting films that resonate long after the credits roll.