Sanjay Leela Bhansali Film Producer Director Birthdate Birthplace

Know about Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s age, family, biography, awards, and career. Keep reading more to get interesting facts about Sanjay Leela Bhansali

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Biography

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a well-known Hindi film director screenwriter and musician from India. He has received numerous honors including four National Film Awards 10 Filmfare Awards and a BAFTA nomination. The fourth-highest civilian award the Padma Shri was given to him by the Indian government in 2015.

The 1996 musical romance film Khamoshi which Bhansali directed for the first time won the Filmfare Award for Best Film (from the critics). After then he became well-known in Hindi films because of the wildly popular love triangle Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). He later helmed the historical romance Devdas (2002) which received a BAFTA nomination for Best Film Not in the English Language. 

In 2005 the drama Black which went on to become one of the most well-liked Hindi films earned him a number of Best Director and Best Film Awards as well as an extra Best Film (Critics) award at the Filmfare Awards. For Devdas and Black he also received numerous National Film Awards. However his later works Saawariya (2007) and Guzaarish (2010) saw him experience a greater decline.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Age

Sanjay Leela Bhansali was born on February 24 1963. Sanjay Leela Bhansali was 59 years old as of 2022. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s hobbies are reading poetry and listening to vintage music. 
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s zodiac sign is Pisces. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s caste is Kshatriya. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Family

Sanjay Leela Bhansali was born into a Gujarati Jain family in Bhuleshwar south of Bombay. Sanjay has a mother named Leela who used to sew clothes to make ends meet. Sanjay's father's name is Navin Bhansali a film producer. 
He has one sister Bela Segal. He is a native Gujarati speaker who enjoys that region's cuisine music literature and architecture.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Education

Sanjay Leela Bhansali did his college work at the Film and Television Institute of India Pune. He did his graduate work in editing. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Relationship

On the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam set in 1999 Sanjay Leela Bhansali got to know the well-known dancer Vaibhavi Merchant. We are all aware that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's dancing sequences are more than just colorful filler in his films; they are an integral part of the narrative. The two did begin to get closer while Saawariya (2007) was being filmed.

At the opening of the movie Saawariya Sanjay came with Vaibhavi which caused a lot of people to turn around and stare. The two had begun to appear in public together. Despite the two's silence over their relationship their growing closeness and romance were frequently mentioned in the media.

Additionally there were rumors that Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Vaibhavi Merchant had exchanged vows in a private ceremony in front of their loved ones who were excitedly anticipating their wedding which was planned to be a lavish affair. However it was then revealed that the two had reportedly split up amicably.

According to a story in the Mumbai Mirror Sanjay and Vaibhavi had to call off their intended marriage because of unresolved personal issues.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Career as a Director

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Parinda (1989)

Vidhu Vinod Chopra is the director producer and distributor of the 1989 Hindi-language criminal drama film Parinda. Anil Kapoor Nana Patekar Jackie Shroff and Madhuri Dixit are the movie's stars. While Imtiyaz Husain and Shiv Kumar Subramaniam authored the script and the dialogue respectively Chopra wrote the story and the setting. The melody was written by R. D. Burman and the lyrics were written by Khurshid Hallauri. The movie's editor was Renu Saluja and Binod Pradhan handled the photography.

Parinda pursues Kishan (Shroff) an underworld boss who works for Anna (Patekar). Karan (Kapoor) Kishan's brother returns home after completing his studies in the US. After Karan tries to exact revenge for his friend's death at the hands of Anna the two brothers find themselves on opposing sides of a gang war.

Parinda was India's official pick for the 1990 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and won two National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards but it did not receive a nomination.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie 1942: A Love Story (1994)

The 1994 Hindi-language patriotic romance film 1942: A Love Story sometimes referred to as 1942 A Love Story was helmed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Jackie Shroff Manisha Koirala Anil Kapoor Danny Denzongpa Pran and Brian Glover also appear. The story centers on Rajjo (Koirala) and Naren (Kapoor) two lovers from very different families whose relationship is challenged by the rise of the Indian revolutionary movement.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Kamna Chandra and Chopra wrote the script together. The film was edited by Renu Saluja and the cinematographer was Binod Pradhan. Javed Akhtar wrote the words for a very popular piece of music that R. D. Burman created. R. D. Burman produced one more picture before he went away just before the movie's debut.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Romantic musical movie in the Hindi language directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Straight From the Heart was the international name given to the release. Aishwarya Rai Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn all appear in the movie. The drama Shetal ne Kathe by Rashtriyashayar Jhaverchand Meghani on which the movie is based tells the tale of a newlywed man who learns that his wife is in love with another man and decides to bring the two together.

The movie was a critical and financial success becoming one of the top-grossing Indian movies of the year with earnings of 160 million rupees (US$2 million). The majority of the reviews from critics were favorable. At the 45th Filmfare Awards Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was nominated for 17 awards including Best Actor (Khan and Devgn) and took home 7 of them including Best Film Best Director (Bhansali) Best Actress (Rai) and Best Male Playback Singer (Udit Narayan).

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Devdas (2002)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Bharat Shah's production company Mega Bollywood collaborated on the 2002 Hindi-language historical romance drama film Devdas. In addition to Jackie Shroff Kirron Kher Smita Jaykar and Vijayendra Ghatge it also has Aishwarya Rai Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan in pivotal roles. Based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1917 novel of the same name the movie tells the tale of Devdas Mukherjee (Khan) a wealthy law graduate who returns from London to wed his childhood friend Parvati Paro (Rai). However his spiral into alcoholism triggers his family's rejection of their marriage ultimately causing his emotional state to deteriorate and him to seek sanctuary with the kind-hearted courtesan Chandramukhi (Dixit).

Devdas had its world premiere on July 12 of that year after having its Cannes premiere on May 23. With a budget of 500 million ($10.29 million) it was at the time the most expensive Indian movie ever made. When the movie was released in theaters it earned better reviews than when it had its Cannes premiere. The movie was a huge hit at the box office becoming the highest-grossing Indian movie of the year after taking in about $1.68 billion ($35 million) globally.

It received numerous honors winning five at the 50th National Film Awards including Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Female Playback Singer (Shreya Ghoshal for Bairi Piya). It took home a record-breaking 11 prizes at the 48th Filmfare Awards including Best Film Best Director (Bhansali) Best Actor (Khan) Best Actress (Rai) and Best Supporting Actress (Dixit). Additionally it was put in for the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not Made in English.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Black (2005)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali co-wrote co-directed and co-produced the 2005 drama Black which was shot in both Hindi and English. Ayesha Kapur Shernaz Patel and Dhritiman Chatterjee play supporting roles alongside Amitabh Bachchan Rani Mukerji and other actors. The tale of Michelle (Mukerji) a deaf and blind woman and her connection with Debraj (Bachchan) an aging alcoholic instructor who subsequently gets Alzheimer's disease are told in the movie.

Ravi K. Chandran completed the principal photography in Shimla and Film City over the course of 100 days between mid-January and April 2004. Sham Kaushal directed the action and Omung Kumar was in charge of production design. Bela Sehgal edited it when the filming was over. Monty Sharma and Mychael Danna wrote the film's music and score. Black which was released in every country on February 4 2005 earned a total of 666 million rupees (US$15.1 million) at the box office making it the second-highest-grossing Bollywood movie of the year.

Black took home three prizes at the 53rd National Film Awards including Best Actor and Best Hindi Feature Film (Bachchan). The movie received 11 nominations for the 51st Filmfare Awards winning all of them including Best Film Best Film (Critics) Best Director (Bhansali) Best Actor Best Actor (Critics) (both Bachchan) Best Actress and Best Actress (Critics) (both Mukerji). As a result the movie was the most-awarded one at the time. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Guzaarish (2010)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali wrote scored and directed the 2010 Indian romantic drama movie Guzaarish. Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appear in the movie while important roles are also played by Shernaz Patel Aditya Roy Kapur Monikangana Dutta Suhel Seth Swara Bhaskar and Makrand Deshpande. Bhansali and UTV Motion Pictures co-produced it. Hemal Kothari handled the editing while Sudeep Chatterjee dealt with the cinematography. 

The movie got nominations for its directing music and lead actors Roshan and Rai who were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards respectively as well as for critics' and audience's choice awards at other events.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013)

Action movie in the Hindi language with a tragic love story that was written and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali who also provided the music. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are the stars of the movie which was co-produced by Bhansali and Kishore Lulla of Eros International. Abhimanyu Singh Supriya Pathak Richa Chadda Sharad Kelkar Gulshan Devaiah and Barkha Bisht Sengupta make up the supporting cast. In the song Ram Chahe Leela Priyanka Chopra makes a brief cameo. Ram-Leela tells the story of the star-crossed romance between the two titular lovers who are members of opposing factions but fall in love with one another based on William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

Ram-Leela was the fifth highest-grossing Indian movie of the year after earning 220.58 crores throughout its theatrical run. Ram-Leela was nominated for eight Filmfare Awards and won three including the Best Actress Filmfare Award for Padukone and the Best Supporting Filmfare Award for Pathak. It was nominated for nine International Indian Film Academy Awards including Best Film and took home two of them.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Bajirao Mastani (2015)

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali who also co-produced the movie alongside Eros International and wrote the soundtrack is the director of the 2015 Indian epic historical romance film Bajirao Mastani. Tanvi Azmi Vaibhav Tatwawaadi Milind Soman Mahesh Manjrekar and Aditya Pancholi play supporting roles alongside Ranveer Singh Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra in the movie. Bajirao Mastani tells the tale of Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I (1700–1740 AD) and his second wife Mastani and is based on the Marathi novel Rau by Nagnath S. Inamdar.

The movie which debuted on December 18 2015 received plaudits for the cast performances Bhansali's direction and a number of technical accomplishments. The magnitude grandeur and attention to detail of Bajirao Mastani have also been praised. Bajirao Mastani a recipient of numerous honors earned 7 National Film Awards including Best Direction (Bhansali) and Best Supporting Actress (Azmi). At the 61st Filmfare Awards the movie garnered a record-breaking 14 nominations including Best Actress (Padukone) and Best Supporting Actress (Azmi) and it took home a record-breaking 9 prizes including Best Film Best Director (Bhansali) Best Actor (Singh) and Best Supporting Actress (Chopra). Singh received Best Actor - Male (Critics) at the Zee Cine Awards and Padukone took home Best Actor - Female. It rose to become India's 29th-highest-grossing movie of all time.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Padmaavat (2018)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 2018 historical romantic action drama film Padmaavat is set in India. Deepika Padukone plays Rani Padmavati a Rajput queen renowned for her beauty and the wife of Maharawal Ratan Singh played by Shahid Kapoor in the film which is based on the epic poem of the same name by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. Ranveer Singh's Sultan Alauddin Khilji who learns of her beauty invades her realm to make her his slave. The supporting cast included Aditi Rao Hydari Jim Sarbh Raza Murad and Anupriya Goenka.

Although it wasn't made available in some Indian states it was a commercial triumph and the 12th highest-grossing Indian movie of all time earning over 585 000 crores (US$73 million) at the box office.In addition to being nominated for Best Film Best Director Best Actress (Padukone) and Best Actor (Singh) at the 64th Filmfare Awards Padmaavat also took home four other honors including Best Actor (Critics) (Singh). Three other National Film Awards were given to the movie with Bhansali winning Best Music Direction.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movie Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is the director and producer of the biographical crime drama film Gangubai Kathiawadi which will be released in 2022 in the Hindi language. Alia Bhatt plays the title role in the movie and Ajay Devgn Shantanu Maheshwari Vijay Raaz Indira Tiwari Seema Pahwa and Varun Kapoor also play significant roles. In theaters since February 25 2022 Gangubai Kathiawadi had its world premiere on February 16 2022 at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.

The production quality of Gangubai Kathiawadi and Bhatt's performance won praise from critics. The movie was a monetary success throughout its theatrical run earning a total of $209.77 worldwide and a core domestic box office revenue of $133.69. The Guardian described Bhatt's performance in the movie as one of the greatest performances of all time and several media outlets included Gangubai Kathiawadi and Bhatt's performance in the movie on their lists of the year's top movies and performances in 2022. In terms of box office revenue in Hindi Gangubai Kathiawadi came in sixth place.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Upcoming Movie

Inshallah

The subject of the new romantic drama Inshallah is an uncommon pair with a significant age gap. The protagonist of the narrative is a middle-aged bachelor in his forties who leads an unrestricted carefree lifestyle. His concerned father decides to only give him his fortune if he finds love and makes changes to his lifestyle. He fakes a connection with a much younger girl in front of his father because he is desperate to inherit the health but a real romance soon begins to take root. 

Salman Khan and Alia Bhatt were initially cast as the starring couple in the movie but Khan appears to have decided against participating due to creative issues with director Bhansali. According to rumors Hrithik Roshan is now being considered for the role. 

Baiju Bawra

In preparation for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much anticipated period drama Baiju Bawra Ranveer and Alia will start working out.While SLB's upcoming film Gangubai is in post-production work is being done on Baiju Bawra. 
The crew intends to launch it on floors by the middle of 2022 using massive studios for a start-to-finish marathon schedule. According to a person familiar with the situation Ranveer and Alia have been cast as the movie's two stars and another leading lady is anticipated to join for a significant role.

Chenab Gandhi

Three years ago Harman Baweja was considered when writing the script for Chenab Gandhi a movie that Sanjay Leela Bhansali was scheduled to produce. Later John Abraham filled Harman's post. Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan were rumored to appear in the movie. Then Asin intended to take Vidya Balan's position according to rumors published in various Bollywood trade journals.

Heera Mandi

This Saturday a studio in Mumbai's Film City will finally open for the filming of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heera Mandi. A trade source stated that the mujra sequence between Manisha Koirala and Aditi Rao Hydari will begin the shooting and it will go on for a week after that when the other star cast members of the web series will join the unit.

A sparkling region called Heera Mandi during pre-independence India will be the subject of the show's investigation into courtesan tales and secret cultural realities. 

The series which promises Sanjay Leela Bhansali's renowned larger-than-life sets multifaceted characters and evocative music is about love treachery succession and politics in the kothas.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Career Timeline

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Controversy

Guzarish Movie

The Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan movie were not without controversy. The plot of the movie according to seasoned author Dayanand Rajan was lifted from his unpublished novel Summer Snow. A PIL was filed in the Delhi High Court by lawyer Aditya Dewan accusing the filmmakers of promoting mercy killing which is prohibited.

Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela Movie

India is a sentimental country! Many were angered by Sanjay Leela Bhansali's choice of title for his movie Ram-Leela since it cast two revered deities in an unfavorable light. After a police report was filed against the producers Bhansali was forced to change the name of his movie to Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela.

Bajirao Mastani Movie

The producers have been accused of distorting the historical figures by the descendants of Peshwa Bajirao and Mastani. It all began with the release of the now-famous song Pinga which stars Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone as Mastani and Kashibai respectively. 

According to a petition the song Pinga is disrespectful to Marathi culture. Kashibai Peshwe's descendent who asked to remain anonymous said that the queen was bedridden for the majority of her life after developing an illness resembling arthritis at a very young age. She also had asthma so it was quite unlikely that she would dance with Mastani.

The clothes that Deepika and Priyanka donned in the song Pinga received a lot of criticism as well. Sanjay Leela Bhansali received a letter indicating that neither the attire nor dancing was a part of the royal ladies' culture.

Padmaavat Movie

Padmaavat starring Deepika Padukone Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh is the newest addition to the list of Bhansali's most divisive movies. The life of Rani Padmini is the basis for the film. Numerous fringe organizations think the producers are distorting the truth and offending Rajputs' sensitivities. 

In April a group of activists broke into the movie's Jaipur set and demanded that it be taken down. When they threatened Bhansali and Deepika Padukone with having their heads chopped off if they continued with the film's release the fringe organizations descended to an all-time low.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Net Worth

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one of the few Indian directors who has been able to redefine expectations through his films and carve out a special place in the hearts of the general public. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has made significant progress in his career since his first movie Khamoshi: The Musical and has worked on around forty different films.

Ram Leela Padmaavat Mary Kom and Rowdy Rathore are just a few of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 100-crore-grossing blockbusters. Sanjay Leela Bhansali also has a production company under the name of Sanjay Leela Bhansali Films. Sanjay Leela is the owner of a Toyota Fortuner and a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's net worth is estimated to be Rs 940 crores.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Awards

• Annual Central European Bollywood Awards India 2006- Best Film for Black 
• Apsara Film Producers Guild Awards 2016- Best Director for Bajirao Mastani
• Apsara Film Producers Guild Awards 2006- Best Film for Black 
• Awards of the International Indian Film Academy 2016- Best Director for Bajirao Mastani
• Awards of the International Indian Film Academy 2003- Best Director for Devdas
• Awards of the International Indian Film Academy 2000- Best Director for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
• Awards of the International Indian Film Academy 2000- Best Story for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
• Bengal Film Journalists' Award 2006- Best Director for Black
• BIG Star Entertainment Awards India 2013- Most Entertaining Music for Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela
• Bollywood Awards 2006- Best Film for Black 
• ETC Bollywood Business Awards 2019- The 300 Crore Club for Padmaavat
• ETC Bollywood Business Awards 2014- The 100 Crore Club for Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela
• Filmfare Awards 2019- Best Music Director for Padmaavat
• Filmfare Awards 2016- Best Director for Bajirao Mastani
• Filmfare Awards 2006- Best Film Black 
• Filmfare Awards 1997- Best Film - Critics for Khamoshi: The Musical
• FOI Online Awards 2018- Best Original Song for Padmaavat 
• FOI Online Awards 2015- Best Feature Film for Bajirao Mastani
• Lions Gold Awards 2011- Favorite Director - Critics for Guzaarish 
• Zee Cine Awards 2019- Best Director for Padmaavat
• Zee Cine Awards 2016- Best Director for Bajirao Mastani 
• Zee Cine Awards 2003- Best Director for Devdas 
• Zee Cine Awards 2000- Best Film for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

10 Fun Facts About Sanjay Leela Bhansali

• However because he was unable to be a successful producer his father was aware of the difficulties that are inherent in the film business. Therefore young Bhansali was counseled by his father to pursue a profession in a different industry.
• Bhansali served as filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's helper prior to making his full-fledged directing debut. Parinda (1989) and 1942: A Love Story (1994) were the pair's two collaborative films.
• The two however got into a nasty argument after Bhansali refused to collaborate with Vidhu Vinod Chopra on their third movie Kareeb (1998).
• Despite receiving favorable reviews from critics Bhansali's first movie Khamoshi: The Musical did poorly at the box office.
• His second film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) starring Aishwarya Rai Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan became a huge hit so success wasn't far away.
• Despite seeming composed in front of the camera Bhansali is infamous for losing his cool on set. It is thought that Bhansali and actor Salman Khan fell out over this unfavorable characteristic. They don't even communicate well enough to work together.
• As Devdas Bhansali's subsequent film became the highest-grossing film of 2002 the stars were now firmly on his side.
• He rarely appears at Bollywood parties and gatherings because he is an introvert.
• In 2019 Bhansali received the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the movie Padmaavat.
• The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences published a list of 301 motion pictures eligible for Oscars in January 2023 which included Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi.

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