Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an ace filmmaker. Tomorrow his upcoming film Gangubai Kathiawadi is going to hit the theatres. However, today is his birthday and the maestro has turned 59.
Whenever we talk about larger than life films in Bollywood then he is the first name that comes to our mind. His movies are filled with grandeur, aesthetics and cinematic brilliance.
He is an exceptionally talented writer, director and even music composer. He started his career in 1989 with the Vidhu Vinod Chopra film “Parinda”.
After debuting in 1996 as a director, he has given us 9 films excluding Gangubai Kathiawadi that will release tomorrow.
So let’s talk about the five best films of the ace filmmaker that you can stream.
Guzaarish (Netflix)
A few films have the potential of changing one’s perception of life completely. This film having Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai in the lead role falls in that category. Often considered one of the finest films in the 21st century, Guzaarish is terribly underrated.
If you want to understand the true capacity of Sanjay Leela Bhansali as a director then this film is a must.
Devdas (Jio Cinema)
Devdas is an epic love story in northern India. Although the story has been filmed multiple times in various ways, the 1955 version and this Shahrukh Khan portrayal is undoubtedly the best one can have.
With epic music and grand sets, this movie is righteously called a magnum opus.
Padmaavat (Prime Video)
Probably the most controversial film of the 21st century, the film was causing riots even before the release. Needless to say, nothing of that sort was needed in the first place but we got to know about it only after the film was released.
Ranveer Singh’s haunting portrayal of Alauddin Khilji aided by graceful Deepika Padukone and highly convincing Shahid Kapoor gave us one of the best films ever.
The music, grandeur and performances definitely deserve to be remembered for decades to come.
Bajirao Mastani (Jio Cinema)
Based on the story of celebrated Marathi general Peshwa Bajirao II, the film became a milestone in the career of Ranveer Singh. Bhansali successfully showed the story of a man who won 40 continuous wars but lost against his own family.
Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone were unforgettable in their respective roles but Tanvi Azmi stole the show. Her portrayal of Bajirao’s mother has to be one of the most path-breaking portrayals in the role of the main lead’s mother.
Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (Jio Cinema)
Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s greatest romantic drama Romeo and Juliet. The sheer intensity and wildness Ranveer and Deepika had in their roles were unseen before the film.
But yet again, people fail to notice the work of Supriya Pathak and Richa Chaddha. They played mother and sister-in-law of Deepika Padukone’s character.
Supriya was haunting and brilliant on a whole next level.
Long story short, after Raj Kapoor, only Sanjay Leela Bhansali has depicted women with so much strength and valour in them. We wish him all the best for his upcoming Gangubai Kathiawadi tomorrow.
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