A Celebration of Grandeur: 6 Films Where Bhansali Weaves Cinematic Magic
Step into the magical realms of Sanjay Leela Bhansali through our captivating collection of his best films. CELEBRATE the richness of Indian culture, EXPLORE the majesty of Bhansali’s worlds, and CONNECT with powerful characters and impactful stories that’ll make you forget the world around you. From the epic romance of Devdas to the courageous defiance of Gangubai, prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions that will undoubtedly leave you in awe.
1. Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) – Available on Amazon Prime
Enter the world of Bajirao Mastani, a perfect exhibition of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s grandeur and luxury set in the heart of the Maratha Empire. Lavish sets, beautiful costumes, and grand visuals paired with powerful performances by Ranveer, Priyanka, and Deepika make this movie an evocative, tragic, passionate, and epic romance. Their performances as Bajirao, his wife Kashibai, the warrior princess Mastani, and the dynamics between these characters leave a lasting impact. Acclaimed by critics and audiences, Bajirao Mastani is one of Bhansali’s most stunning and emotional works and is still loved by many today.
2. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (Hindi) – Available on Amazon Prime
One of Bhansali’s most iconic pieces, this movie marks the beginning of Deepika and Ranveer’s real-life love story! On-screen, their chemistry is unmatched, and they were both praised for their powerhouse performances as Ram and Leela, two lovers torn apart by families at feud. As with all Bhansali’s films, the visuals in Goliyon ki Raasleela Ram-Leela were stunning, and the emotions were sincere. Also a gifted music director, Bhansali delivers an incredible soundtrack paired with beautiful cinematography and effective dialogues. This emotionally charged love story is a classic and will leave you yearning for more.
3. Gangubai Kathiawadi (Hindi) – Available on Netflix
Also on our Top 6 Women-Centric Films List, Gangubai Kathiawadi is a highly acclaimed, highly-awarded movie based on the life of Gangubai Kothewali. Every element of Gangubai Kathiawadi is masterfully crafted by Bhansali. The visuals, characters, plot, relationships, cinematography, music, costumes, and sets come together seamlessly to create a lasting impact on the audience. As always, Bhansali draws out incredible performances from talented actors, particularly Alia Bhatt, whose performance in Gangubai is one of her best and earned her a well-deserved National Award.
4. Devdas (Hindi) – Available on Amazon Prime
Devdas is one of the most popular and iconic films in Indian history; there isn’t a Bollywood fan in the world who hasn’t heard of this movie. The dialogues, costumes, scenes, songs (especially “Dola Re Dola”), and dances remain popular today and have influenced many films that came out since. It was India’s highest-grossing movie in 2002 and received many awards and significant critical recognition. The story’s themes of love, loss, and societal restrictions are timeless. Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit’s heartbreaking performances added significant emotional depth to Bhansali’s characters. Devdas and Paro’s passionate and tragic love story is a moving cinematic experience you can’t miss!
5. Black (Hindi) – Available on Netflix
Often called a cinematic masterpiece, Black is based on the real story of Helen Keller and features Rani Mukherjee and Amitabh Bachchan. Their performances are the strength of this movie, along with the emotional depth and Bhansali’s exceptional direction. Despite being so different from all his other works, Black is one of Bhansali’s most acclaimed movies, with critics and fans praising the cinematography, sound design, direction, screenplay, and performances. Black earned many awards, including 11 Filmfare awards, 9 IIFA awards, and 3 National awards, making this movie a must-watch.
6. Padmaavat (Hindi) – Available on Amazon Prime
Padmaavat tells the story of a queen’s defiance in the face of an emperor’s obsession. Loosely based on actual events (which sparked some controversy at the time of release), Padmaavat is another Bhansali masterpiece that featured stunning visuals and his signature grandeur, evident in the sets, costumes, and cinematography. The film’s music was also a massive hit, sparking dance challenges and recreation of “Ghoomar” and “Khalibali.” Deepika’s portrayal of Queen Padmavati is royal, elegant, and powerful; Shahid and Ranveer also deliver impactful performances. With central themes of love, dignity, honor, and sacrifice, Bhansali’s storytelling creates a beautiful, immersive experience.
The ability to transport into worlds like these is the closest thing we have to magic, and the masterful Sanjay Leela Bhansali best does it. Experience every emotion through these movies and come out feeling inspired, heartbroken, and amazed all at once. In addition to these pieces, watch Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s new project, Heeramandi, out on Netflix now!
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