9 best films made by Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Last updated on - Feb 24, 2018, 14:00 ISTShare fbsharetwsharepinshare
01/109 best films made by Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one filmmaker who makes magical films. His stories are just wonderful. From ‘Kamoshi: The Musical’ to ‘Padmaavat’ he has made some unique films. He has also earned several awards for his films as well. The filmmaker has also produced some mind-blowing films like ‘Mary Kom’. The filmmaker is always seen making unique films be it ‘Black’ or ‘Guzaarish’. He has always been the director who chooses unique content for his films. The music that he has in his films are just amazing and phenomenal. His recent film ‘Padmaavat’ had quite a few issues while shooting the film and post that as well, but post the release the issues resolved and the movie was a hit and did well at the box office. On the occasion of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s birthday today we bring to you some of his best movie made by him.
02/10Black
The film starred Rani Mukerji and Amitabh Bachchan. Black revolves around a deafblind girl and her relationship with her teacher who himself later develops Alzheimer's disease. The film draws inspiration from Helen Keller's life and struggle. Black was a commercial success, becoming the second highest grossing Indian film worldwide in 2005 and the highest-grossing 2005 Indian film overseas. The film begins with Michelle McNally (Rani Mukerji), a blind and deaf woman, visiting her former teacher Debraj Sahai (Amitabh Bachchan), who now has Alzheimer's disease, in a hospital. The film then flashbacks to the past to her childhood. Michelle was a girl who lost her eyesight and hearing after recovering from an illness at the age of two and exists in a black world where she is isolated in the darkness of her own existence, trapped by her inability to see, hear and express. She grows up becoming more and more frustrated by the black and dark world around her, making her a violent, uncontrollable eight-year-old child. Her parents, Paul and Catherine, are at their wits' end trying to control her, until one day the light shines through the end of the tunnel. The film begins with Michelle McNally (Rani Mukerji), a blind and deaf woman, visiting her former teacher Debraj Sahai (Amitabh Bachchan), who now has Alzheimer's disease, in a hospital. The film then flashbacks to the past to her childhood. The movie ends with a scene of Michelle amongst a crowd of people all dressed in black carrying candles walking towards a church. There is a voiceover of a letter Michelle has written to Debraj's friend Mrs. Nair explaining that today was her teacher's first day of school, and that like hers, his alphabet began with "B L A C K".
03/10Khamoshi: The Musical
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut film which starred Salman Khan, Nana Patekar, Manisha Koirala and Helen. The story is about Joseph (Nana Patekar) and Flavy Braganza (Seema Biswas), a deaf and mute couple in Goa. They have a baby girl, Annie (played by Priya Parulekar as young Annie), who is able to speak and hear. A few years later they have another baby, a boy named Sam, who also speaks and hears. Annie's life is divided into two worlds — one with her parents and the other of music, which she loves. Annie gets her musical inspirations from her grandmother, Maria Braganza (Helen). A few years later, after the tragic death of Sam, Annie's (Manisha Koirala) life is shattered and music and singing fades away. When Annie grows up she gets in touch with music once again — with Raj (Salman Khan) whom she falls in love with. She starts singing again. When Annie gets pregnant, her father tells her to abort the baby because it will dishonor the family. Annie and Raj have a devastating accident; Annie is seriously injured and goes into coma. Joseph, Flavy, and Raj try hard to revive her, even trying to stir her emotionally for the sake of Sam. The broken Raj, Joseph's moving mute 'speech,' and Flavy's love and hope bring Annie back to consciousness.
04/10Devdas
The film is based on the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel ‘Devdas’. This is the third Hindi version and the first film version of the story in Hindi done in colour. The film follows Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan), a wealthy law graduate in the early 1900s, who returns from his studies in London to marry his childhood sweetheart, Paro (Aishwarya Rai). However, the rejection of this marriage by his own family sparks his descent into alcohol, ultimately leading to his emotional deterioration and him seeking refuge with a prostitute, Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit). In the early 1900s, Kaushalya (Smita Jaykar) hears that her younger son, Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan), is about to return home after leaving 10 years ago for law school in England. Kaushalya tells her neighbor Sumitra (Kirron Kher), who is overjoyed. Sumitra's daughter, Parvati "Paro" Chakraborty (Aishwarya Rai) and Devdas share a deep friendship rooted in childhood. When Devdas was sent to England, Paro had lit an oil lamp to prompt his return and never allowed it to extinguish. When Devdas' father also rejects Paro, Devdas leaves his parents' house and takes refuge at a brothel. He leaves a letter for Paro, falsely stating that love had never existed between them. At the brothel, he meets a good-hearted tawaif (courtesan) named Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit), who falls in love with him. Soon, Devdas realizes his mistake in abandoning Paro. He returns to her during her wedding and asks her to elope but Paro refuses, reminding him of the way he had discarded her so easily. Devdas vows to see her again before he dies. On the verge of death, Devdas travels to Paro's house to honor his promise, collapsing under a tree in front of the main gate. Paro runs through the mansion, attempting to reach him. Bhuvan sees this and orders the servants to shut the gates. Devdas sees a blurred image of Paro running towards him, but the gates close just before she can reach him, leaving her sobbing inside. Devdas whispers Paro's name with his last breath as he slowly dies, and immediately Paro's lamp flickers out.
05/10Bajirao Mastani
It is one of the finest epic historical romance film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It stars Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Priyanka Chopra. The supporting cast includes Tanvi Azmi and Milind Soman. Based on the Marathi novel Raau by Nagnath S. Inamdar, Bajirao Mastani narrates the story of the Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I (1700-1740 AD) and his second wife Mastani. In the early 18th century, the court of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shahu needs a new Peshwa, the equivalent of a modern-day prime minister. In spite of Shripad Rao's self-nomination as the Peshwa, Ambaji Pant nominates a young Bajirao. To test his spiritual wisdom and knowledge of weaponry, Shripad challenges Bajirao to split a peacock feather with an arrow. Bajirao succeeds and is given the title of Peshwa. Ten years later, his wife Kashibai is visited by her widowed friend Bhanu, whose husband was accused of spying and was ordered to be executed by Bajirao. She predicts that just as she longs for her husband, Kashibai will yearn for Bajirao. Determined to pursue her love, Mastani arrives in Pune but is treated harshly by Bajirao's mother Radhabai and accommodated in the palace for courtesans. Mastani tolerates this insult and appears to dance before Bajirao. Radhabai scornfully offers her the occupation of a royal dancer but refuses to accept her as a daughter-in-law. Mastani travels to the Chhatrapati Shahu and expresses her desire to be with Bajirao, then leaves to wait for him at a ruin across a river. During a storm, Bajirao crosses the river and chides Mastani's persistence, reminding her he is already married and that his court will never respect her if she is in a relationship with him. She agrees, despite his warning, and he declares Mastani his second wife. After Bajirao leaves for battle, Radhabai and Nana Saheb imprison Mastani and Shamsher Bahadur. After Bajirao receives the news, he single-handedly defeats Nasir Jung's army in his rage but collapses from his injuries. At his deathbed, Kashibai sends a letter pleading with Radhabai to release Mastani so Bajirao can recover, but Nana Saheb burns the letter and refuses to release Mastani. Bajirao, delirious due to his sickness, dies from the trauma of his hallucinations; at the same time, Mastani dies in captivity. The ill-fated lovers are shown to be united in death.
06/10Guzaarish
The film stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai in lead roles while Shernaz Patel, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Monikangana Dutta, Suhel Seth, Swara Bhaskar, and Makrand Deshpande portray pivotal roles. The film narrates the story of a paralyzed magician-turned-Radio jockey files a petition in court seeking permission to end his life. Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan) is a former magician who is a quadriplegic. He becomes the Radio Jockey of an FM Station called Radio Zindagi. His show spreads magic, hope, and laughter through his irrepressible wit and humor to every listener and caller, making it difficult to imagine that this is a man who has been immobilized with a spinal injury for the last fourteen years of his life. Sofia D'Souza (Aishwarya Rai) is his nurse who has been accompanying him for the past twelve years. Ethan throws a farewell party for their friends and guests, where Ethan speaks about everyone who has meant very dear to him and finally tells everyone about his and Sofia's love. Ethan says that he will be dying a happy man with no regrets and the heart full of Sofia's love and bids all goodbye. At these words, all the guests, come to his couch and hug him, with Ethan laughing heartily.
07/10Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela
The Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh starrer was a tragic romantic film. The supporting cast includes Supriya Pathak, Richa Chadda, Sharad Kelkar, Gulshan Devaiah, Barkha Bisht Sengupta, and Abhimanyu Singh. Loosely based on the tragedy Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Ram-Leela narrates the star-crossed romance between the two eponymous lovers, who belong to two warring factions but fall in love with each other. In the fictional Gujarati village Ranjaar, infamous for its uninhibited manufacture and sale of arms and ammunition, two clans—Rajadi and Sanera—have been at odds with each other for the past 500 years. A violent altercation between the two occur after Bhavani, a Sanera, fires at the son of Meghjibai, a Rajadi chieftain. Bhavani is almost killed by Meghjibai but Ram, Meghjibai's younger brother, intervenes and saves Bhavani. All the Rajadi elders are irked by Ram being a vagabond who deals in porn films and stolen cars, with his mindset of making a truce with the other clan. Meanwhile, Dhankor Baa arranges the engagement of Leela and the NRI, much to the chagrin of the pair. Leela refuses, citing that her finger is already occupied by the ring from her marriage to Ram. In her anger, Dhankor Baa chops off Leela's finger. Upon learning of this, Ram does the same to his own finger and visits Leela while she is asleep. Leela still retains faith in Ram and sends Rasila, the widow of Kanji, to give Ram an ultimatum to take her away. Rasila is assaulted by Ram's friends and when Dhankor Baa learns of this, she sends Bhavani and other men to assault Kesar, Meghji's widow, who manages to evade them. Ram and Leela decide that they are each other's and murder each other wholeheartedly by shooting one another, all the while oblivious to the fact that Dhankor Baa has undergone a change of heart and has killed Bhavani, ordering peace be meted out to the other clan. The two clans come together to cremate the bodies of the lovers.
08/10Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
The film was an Indian romantic drama. The story revolves around Nandini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) is the daughter of Pandit Darbar (Vikram Gokhale), a renowned proponent of Indian classical music. Into this carefree life enters Sameer (Salman Khan), a young man who wants to grasp the intricacies of Indian classical music under the guidance of Pandit Darbar. Sameer stays with the Darbar family and Nandini is forced to give up her room to Sameer. Nandini takes a dislike to Sameer, and the two play pranks on each other, but soon realise they are in love. Their love blossoms around weddings, festivals, and family get-togethers. Nandini and Vanraj arrive in Italy but come up against dead ends searching for Sameer. During their search, they get mobbed and Nandini is shot in the arm. Moved by Vanraj's gentleness and affection towards her, Nandini begins to warm up to Vanraj. Eventually, they get news about Sameer through his mother (Helen), and Vanraj dutifully arranges for their meeting on the night of Sameer's debut concert. His job done, Vanraj bids goodbye to Nandini and walks away heartbroken. On meeting with Sameer, she apologises to him and tells him that she has come to love Vanraj. She reflects on the unwavering love and devotion that Vanraj has showered upon her throughout their relationship, and realises that Vanraj was her true soul mate. She runs to Vanraj, who tells her that he cannot live without her. She hands him her wedding chain and Vanraj adorns it around her neck and they embrace each other with dazzling fireworks in the background.
09/10Padmaavat
The epic period drama film made by Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor was a hit. After all the issues as well the film was a super hit and all the team has gained all the appreciation and applause for their performance in the film. In 13th-century Afghanistan, Jalaluddin Khilji of Khilji dynasty, along with his courtiers, plans to take over the throne of Delhi. His nephew Alauddin Khilji brings him a whole ostrich, though he was just asked for a feather. The latter asks for his daughter Mehrunisa's hand in marriage to which she agrees. Their wedding is organised, but on the night of the event, Alauddin engages in adultery with another woman. A nobleman witnesses the act and advises Alauddin against doing so, but is instead killed by him. Mehrunisa is informed of this during the wedding, leaving her horrified and helpless. Jalaluddin captures Delhi and declares himself the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. He expresses his worry about the invading Mongols to his court. Alauddin is permitted to repel them upon his request and is successful. But later he undertakes an unsanctioned raid on Devagiri. After plundering its wealth and capturing its princess, he proceeds to Kara. Jalaluddin is confused why he didn't return to Delhi. Padmavati journeys to Mewar with Ratan Singh and blessed by his royal priest, Raghav Chetan. Chetan is caught watching Ratan Singh and Padmavati sharing an intimate moment and is banished from the kingdom. He travels to Delhi and informs Alauddin of Padmavati's beauty to take revenge against Ratan for himself. Alauddin, who is fixated with wanting anything that is of exceptional beauty, invites the Rajputs to Delhi. His invitation is however rejected and he orders to lay siege to Chittor. Alauddin imprisons Mehrunisa for helping the Rajputs and marches to Chittor. He and Ratan Singh engage in a single duel; Alauddin is nearly defeated by Ratan Singh when is shot by Kafur from behind with arrows but berates Alauddin for fighting dishonourably before dying. The Khilji army succeeds in defeating the Rajputs and capturing Chittor, but are unable to capture the Rajput women who commit Jauhar with Padmavati, preventing Alauddin from ever seeing the face of the queen he waged war over. The narrator calls it the greatest defeat of his life.
10/10Saawariya
The film is based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's short story ‘White Nights’. The film marks the debut of both the lead actors; Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. The story is narrated by Gulabji (Rani Mukherjee), a prostitute who frequents RK Bar, the town's most luxurious club. The bar's lead singer, Raj (Ranbir Kapoor), whom she affectionately calls "Saawariya" ("blue lover"), is a free-spirited and kindhearted man. Despite knowing what Gulabji does, Raj is friendly to her, and unlike other men, is kind to the other prostitutes, trying to brighten their sad lives. When he tells Gulabji that he needs a job and somewhere to stay, she tells him that there is only one woman who'll give him a place to stay: Lilian (Zohra Sehgal) – but she allows only those she likes. Raj decides to confess his feelings to Sakina. He resigns from his job to see her and calls her but she ignores him. He gets angry with her but the pair reconcile. He takes her to his favorite place, on the top of the clock tower. There, Sakina reveals that she is in love with a man named Imaan (Salman Khan). Imaan had left but promised to return for Sakina on Eid. It has been a while but she is still waiting for him faithfully. Hearing this, Raj becomes heartbroken and doesn't confess. However, he refuses to believe that there is an Imaan. He asks Gulabji for advice, who advises him to tell Sakina how he feels. With the entire neighborhood cheering him on, Raj decides to propose to Sakina on the night of Eid. The movie ends as a tribute to Raj Kapoor, where Raj walks and sings in a style similar to Kapoor from the film Shree 420, remembering the sweet moments he spent with Sakina.
