Five Movies That Show Sanjay Leela Bhansali Is A Superb Director

Some of the best movies by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

By Mrigatrishna Kalita Updated: Feb 25, 2023, 22:45 IST

Choosing the greatest of the best is never easy. Although Sanjay Leela Bhansali's filmography only includes 10 films that have all received critical acclaim and acclaim of their own, it would be difficult to reduce it even further.

Khamoshi: The Musical (1996):

Some claim that SLB's first movie, in which Manisha Koirala's character Annie (a beautiful but fragile young woman) struggles to deal with her deaf and mute parents' (Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas') possessive demands, is still his most sincere effort.

The truth is that Khamoshi was duped when the distributors insisted on changing the tragic conclusion to Annie's death from the original version. On the day it was published, the dark, passionate, redemptive story was rejected. Rejection makes us think of Madhuri Dixit and Kajol, who both declined leading roles. With her exquisite appearance and delicately nuanced performance, Manisha immortalised herself. According to form, Nana and the director frequently argued about how to interpret the part. Salman graciously accepted a supporting role to support his pal in his feature film debut.

Devdas (2002):

SLB's adaptation of the classic was produced thirteen years ago on a stunning budget of Rs 60 crores (equal to Rs 200 crores today).

A euphoric opera of heightened emotions and dramatic tension, the Saratchandra epic of love, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. This rendition of Devdas was a masterclass in "The Bollywood Dream" thanks to its breathtaking graphics, lavish sets, and ethereal, enchanting song and dance passages.

Many people thought that the movie put too much focus on wealth. But Devdas continues to be SLB's most well-known piece of work.

Black (2005):

Many people consider Black to be the minimalist counterpart to SLB's earlier work Devdas' grandeur. Nothing is more false than it is. Behind the political correctness of the issue, the movie shouted with epic delight in every frame even though it was an outwardly sombre tale of the love between a physically disabled/special needs girl and her instructor.

Black was a gorgeous ode to the spirit of resilience and persistence, done in vibrant colours, and featured outstanding key performances by RaniMukerji and Amitabh Bachchan. The beauty of the snowflakes was measured.

Bajirao Mastani (2015):

The director is at his or her best. Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone give the big royal epic—about two incredibly explosive warriors from hostile territory—a kind of riveting conflict that we last witnessed in K Asif's Mughal-e-Azam.

Bajirao Mastani, with its tumultuous tones and avoidance of Devdas' operatic grandeur, demonstrates the director's mastery of his craft.

Padmavat (2018):

The story that Bhansali portrays of the regal Queen Padmavati and the Islamic invader Khilji who lusts after her is filled with almost entirely magical moments. The captivating set-up captures your attention right away when the Queen, while out hunting, manages to hurt Raja Ratan Singh in multiple ways.

Ratan Singh, played by Shahid Kapoor, makes it very evident that he is deeply in love with the woman he marries and that he will stop at nothing to preserve her beauty and holiness.The action-packed climax, in which the female members of the Rani's entourage throw hot coal bricks at Khilji to fend off his advances, pays resonant homage to Ketan Mehta's Mirch Masala. Remember the moustache-twirling subedaar played by Naseeruddin Shah who lusted after the sassy Sonbai (Smita Patil) in Mehta's movie? Sonbai is echoed by encouraging whoops of joy in Bhansali's Padmaavat. In fact, this movie also honours Raj Kapoor and K Asif, two of India's best directors.

Five Movies That Show Sanjay Leela Bhansali Is A Superb Director

Featured

Trending