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India.com
a day ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Before Love & War, a look at 5 Sanjay Leela Bhansali films that took Indian cinema global
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is not just a filmmaker; he is one of Indian cinema's most visionary storytellers. A true master of storytelling, emotion, music, and visual grandeur, Bhansali has crafted films that feel timeless yet urgent, deeply personal yet universally resonant. His ability to transport audiences through eras, emotions, and cultures echoes the genius of legends like Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, and K. Asif. With every project, Bhansali elevates Indian cinema to a global stage, earning international acclaim while staying rooted in Indian aesthetics and soul. Now, as anticipation soars for his upcoming magnum opus Love & War a film being mounted on a scale even grander than his past ventures it's the perfect moment to look back at five Bhansali masterpieces that didn't just win hearts at home but made a significant impact across the world. Khamoshi: The Musical Bhansali's directorial debut, Khamoshi, starring Salman Khan and Manisha Koirala, was a deeply emotional tale that marked the arrival of a distinctive cinematic voice. The story of a hearing daughter in a deaf-mute family resonated universally, inspiring global adaptations like La Famille Bélier and the Oscar-winning CODA. This film established Bhansali's signature style deep emotion woven seamlessly with music and proved that Indian stories could touch hearts across borders. Black With Black, Bhansali delivered a cinematic marvel that pushed artistic boundaries. Inspired by the life of Helen Keller, this poignant tale of a deaf-blind girl and her teacher was universally lauded for its soul-stirring performances and masterful direction. Black was included in Time Magazine's list of the 10 Best Movies of the Year (2005) and received accolades globally, including praise from the Academy. It reaffirmed Bhansali's place among the world's finest directors capable of blending sensitivity with cinematic scale. Devdas Devdas was a cultural phenomenon a stunning retelling of a tragic love story wrapped in unmatched opulence. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002 and was India's official entry to the Oscars that year. With its lavish sets, haunting music, and visual poetry, Devdas became a symbol of Indian cinematic grandeur, winning hearts from Paris to Tokyo and influencing filmmakers around the world. Gangubai Kathiawadi A bold, feminist narrative told on an epic scale, Gangubai Kathiawadi showcased Bhansali's evolution as a storyteller. The film received a standing ovation at the Berlin Film Festival and dominated Netflix's global non-English film charts, becoming the most-watched Indian film worldwide on the platform. Alia Bhatt's unforgettable performance, combined with Bhansali's meticulous world-building, made Gangubai a landmark in global storytelling. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar Bhansali's foray into OTT with Heeramandi marked a new chapter in his career and Indian content history. With grand palaces, ornate courtyards, regal costumes, and layered storytelling, Heeramandi captured the imagination of audiences across continents. It became the most-watched Indian web series in its debut week, garnering 4.5 million viewers and 33 million watch hours, and it trended in 43 countries, solidifying Bhansali's digital dominance and international appeal. On the workfront Sanjay Leela Bhansali were next be seen directing one of the biggest films ever Love and War starring Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt
NDTV
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Shabana Azmi To NDTV On Viral Onscreen Kiss With Dharmendra In Rocky Aur Rani: "It Was Over In A Second"
New Delhi: It's not often that the supporting cast takes centre stage in a star-studded film, especially one directed by Karan Johar. Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani completes 2 years today - and what a joyous celebration it is, of extravagant sets, larger-than-life characters, and a mushy love story at its heart. Led by Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh as Rani Chatterjee and Rocky Randhawa, the film had all the jazzy elements reminiscent of a Karan Johar production, but what struck a chord with the audience the most was Rani's grandmother, Jamini Chatterjee, played by Shabana Azmi and her incomplete romance with Kanwal Lund, played by Dharmendra. In an exclusive conversation NDTV, Shabana Azmi recalled her happiest memories with the cast, and why she surrendered to Karan Johar's vision. "Jamini Chatterjee, As A Character, Was Extremely Sensitive And Sensible" Perhaps what the audience connected with the most was the relationship that Rani Chatterjee had with Jamini Chatterjee, which surpassed the traditional bond of a granddaughter with her grandmother. They were friends first, and in her, Rani found answers for all her conflicting feelings towards Rocky, who was a sharp contrast to her personality and cultural background. In many ways, Rani and Jamini's relationship was also mirroring the essence of love in the bygone era and today, when it's fleeting between right swipes on dating apps. Shabana Azmi says, "What my character Jamini says very clearly is that she realised she had made a mistake of sacrificing her love at a time when she felt it was her duty to. Those 7 days that she spent with Kanwal gave her a lifetime of memories and connected with her. That's because her character was sensitive, sensible, and educated. When she sees Rocky, she knows instinctively that he is the correct boy for Rani, and she does not want her granddaughter to miss out on the opportunity like she did." As for romance, the 74-year-old actress says, "My idea of romance is not about being wooed with flowers and grand gestures. I understand that when you are younger, you have different expectations of romance. But at the end, it's being in love, which is the most important thing, because then it makes you sail through the upheavals of life. It can help you navigate the path, sometimes together and sometimes separately. " On Alia Bhatt's Talent: "Zoya (Akhtar) Once Told Me That Alia Just Gets It" With a range like that of Alia, from playing one of the biggest mafia queens in Mumbai in Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) to playing an opinionated journalist in Rocky Aur Rani, the actress is one of the best in the country today. Shabana Azmi concurs as she dives into what she observed about the 32-year-old on the sets of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. —— Alia Bhatt as Rani Chaterjee in Rocky Aur Rani ki prem kahani —— — Rubi ♡ (@Kiwiverseee) January 5, 2025 Shabana Azmi says, "She is an amazing actor. There is an emotional richness in her because I've always believed that an artist's resource base must be life itself. I don't think she's merely an instinctive actress, but one thing that Zoya told me about her is that Alia just gets it. And that's the correct thing. She's emotionally rich from within. I remember her as a little girl, and she was very sure about everything. She's hardworking and doesn't take it for granted at all. She listens to her director. She is very responsive to her co-stars. Everything that makes a person a good actor is what Alia has." She continues, "When the script of Rocky entering the scene happened, I said, how is she going to make it believable that she has fallen in love with this man? In the script, it was just that it was a physical attraction, which I felt was so convincing. But you know, subconsciously or otherwise, she's played it with an almost amusement which is almost like a Julia Roberts quality." On Ranveer Singh's Performance Going Unrecognised In Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Ranveer Singh as the flamboyant Rocky Randhawa won hearts within seconds of his smashing entry on screen to What a Heartthrob ji. While Ranveer seems to have an emotional and relatively quieter side to him that the love of his life, Deepika Padukone, has often spoken about, we see a character on screen who goes all out in love and life. Rocky does not hold back; he's not here for flings with Rani, he's here forever. Shabana Azmi comments, "It was a superb performance. That year, I think Animal or some other film got it, and Ranveer's performance went unrecognised. It's very tough to play a character that can go overboard and can become almost repugnant to you." She continues, "Ranveer is very hardworking. That boy who was teaching him the accent was attached to his hip all the time. And when there was time between the shoots, Ranveer would go back and watch it all over again to make sure that he'd got the accent. You know that he doesn't lose out on the accent." The Dance Sequence That No One Saw Coming There are many stereotypical notions that Karan Johar broke with Rocky Aur Rani. One of the standout moments has to be the dance sequence between Ranveer Singh's character Rocky and Alia Bhatt's father Chandon Chattejee, played by Bengali actor Tota Roy Chowdhury, who was a Kathak dancer. During a Durga Puja celebration, the main festival of Bengalis, Rocky and Chandon dance to Dola re Dola from Devdas. Rocky challenged societal norms and biased gender notions as he danced in a traditional Indian dance form. Shabana Azmi adds, "I remember telling Karan that you can't just suddenly get up and start singing. He said I'm convinced it can reach, because if I react to it like that, why shouldn't the audience also react? When you work with Karan, there is a willing suspension of disbelief that you have to do." She elaborates, "I remember in my first scene, I have this long hair and I'm wearing this silk saree and cooking, and I ask Karan, which Bengali woman cooks like this? And Karan says, 'In my film, she will.' I give full credit to both Karan and Manish Malhotra (costume designer), because Manish told me, ' It is too expected of you, so trust me. Keep your hair open. Don't put it in a bun. Don't do this. Don't do that. I surrendered to both of them because I think I wouldn't have had this experience otherwise." The Kiss That Got Everyone Talking Rocky Aur Rani is replete with many scenes and dialogues that shall remain etched in the memories of its loyal fans, but when Jamini (Shabana Azmi) and Kanwal (Dharmendra) meet after years, time stands still. The song Abhi Na Jao Chhod Ke plays, and the memorable moment where two estranged lovers meet again, is sealed with a kiss. Recently, Dharmendra had the most hilarious reaction to the viral scene as he said that Ranveer Singh had a lot of kissing scenes in the film, but Dharmendra stole the show with that one kiss. Shabana Azmi laughs and reacts, "Such a big thing, the central thing of the film is it? But then it tickles people, I guess. It was done with and over in a second. What was funny was all the reactions of the family, and then, actually, I think Jaya's character fainting was the best." The Iconic Randhawa Mansion Everyone wants to know where Rocky Aur Rani was shot. While the Chatterjee bari had a more wholesome and vintage vibe to it, the Randhawa mansion was glittering with wealth and all the showsha that their loud personalities entailed. Shabana Azmi reveals, "It was all in Mumbai. The scene where you see the two families meeting outdoors was done in Delhi, but otherwise, most of it was done on the set. Every time I walked into the set, I said, Karan, I could get 5 films made in just the money that you have spent on this set colour first." A scene from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani So What Is It Like To Be On A Karan Johar Movie Set? "Karan ensures lightness on the set. He doesn't make you feel that he is making a masterpiece. He keeps the atmosphere light. He's very generous and makes you feel special, " concludes Shabana Azmi. And with that, she smiles ear to ear, for another year of love, warmth, and acceptance that Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani has given her. It's Jamini Chatterjee AKA Shabana Azmi "this side", and being directed by Karan Johar for the first time in 25 years of his career at the movies, she indeed left a lasting impression.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Alia Bhatt is self-made, ambitious unlike Ranbir Kapoor who is laidback,' says Mahesh Bhatt: ‘She has changed, matured after welcoming Raha'
The tag of nepotism has always chased Alia Bhatt despite her best efforts to negate that. After making her debut with Karan Johar's 2012 hit campus caper Student of the Year, Alia has proven her acting prowess over the years with critically acclaimed performances in films like Imtiaz Ali's Highway (2014), Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab (2016), Meghna Gulzar's Raazi (2018), and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). Alia's father, veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, also believes his daughter is 'self-made.' 'I didn't launch Alia Bhatt. Karan Johar launched her. I didn't know she had so much thirst for acting in her. She gave the audition herself. I just got to know they loved her work. I was shocked because I hadn't seen any such traits in her even remotely. I'm very happy she's a self-made girl,' said Mahesh. On The Himanshu Mehta Show, the filmmaker further revealed that the young generation today approach her for pictures only to flaunt that they met Alia Bhatt's father. 'Alia has astounded me! What is unique about her is that she has a taste for taking risks and she's taken the detours into diverse narratives,' added Mahesh. Alia's father also pointed out that she's gone through 'an alchemical change' after the birth of her daughter Raha Kapoor in 2022. 'I see a new depth in her. With this young girl becoming a mother, there's a coming-of-age of a different kind, a different kind of maturity in her. I'm also looking forward to her new films which would be coming out now,' said Mahesh. Alia will be next seen headlining Shiv Rawail's spy thriller Alpha, which is a part of Aditya Chopra's YRF Spy Universe. Backed by Yash Raj Films, it's slated to release in cinemas this Christmas on December 25. Next year, Alia will also star alongside real-life husband Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal in Bhansali's romantic drama Love & War. Mahesh Bhatt also revealed that even Ranbir is in awe of Alia. 'He says, 'Alia is made of different stuff.' When I ask him, 'What do you mean?,' he says, 'Her ambition to do more and more and more is unbelievably astounding!' While he's a person who's very laid-back and comforted, and he just wants to do enough. She's a go-getter,' added Mahesh. Also Read — Alia Bhatt likes people watching to cheer herself up on bad days: 'I'm not looking into their bedrooms, but..' The filmmaker agreed that while there are talented nepo babies like Alia and Ranbir, one can't deny the merit that the discussion around nepotism holds. 'Nature is very fair. It's not important that the rose would bloom in only your garden. Nature spreads its jewels across the world. Nepotism is a reality, but it's also not. Just because my child is talented, that doesn't mean I disqualify them,' argued Mahesh. 'But it's definitely easy for them. Because access is success. Talented people don't even get access for years. It's important to understand that the voice that's been raised against nepotism, there's a collective anger behind that. That's why we get to hear about that every other day,' added Mahesh Bhatt.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Saiyaara' becomes the 84th biggest hit in Hindi Cinema, surpasses Alia Bhatt's ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi' and Shraddha Kapoor's ‘Stree'
Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, makes waves. The film earns Rs 132.25 crore in five days. It enters the Top 100 Hindi films, surpassing Gangubai Kathiawadi and Stree. Strong music and youth appeal drive its success. The film's opening is impressive for newcomers. Saiyaara resonates with the younger audience. Mohit Suri 's romantic action drama Saiyaara is all set to make it's presence felt not only in the record books of 2025 but of Hindi Cinema. The film starring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda has managed to mint Rs 132.25 crore in just five days and with that the film has breached into the Top 100 films of Hindi Cinema . The film is currently on the 84th position edging out Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Alia Bhatt 's acclaimed Gangubai Kathiawadi and Amar Kaushik-Shraddha Kapoor's horror-comedy blockbuster Stree. Mohit Suri Spills On 20 Years In Bollywood - Ahaan & Aneet, Alia Bhatt Dream Collab & More This is a major achievement for a film headlined by relative newcomers and backed largely by strong music, youth appeal, and word-of-mouth buzz. Saiyaara has struck a chord with the younger generation, evident from its Rs 21.5 crore Day 1 opening, which was already among the best for a film with fresh faces. From there, the film only grew, with Saturday collections rising 20.93% to Rs 26 crore and Sunday seeing a massive 37.5% jump to Rs 35.75 crore. Even weekdays held strong, with Rs 24 crore on Monday and an estimated Rs 25 crore on Tuesday, taking the total to Rs 132.25 crore net in India—just enough to slide past Gangubai Kathiawadi (Rs 131.9 crore), Stree (Rs 129.83 crore), and Airlift (Rs 128.1 crore) on the all-time Hindi chart. To put this in perspective: Gangubai Kathiawadi, a major solo-led Alia Bhatt release and a National Award-winning film, had a lifetime net of Rs 131.9 crore in India despite tremendous critical acclaim and repeat viewing. Stree, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, became a cultural phenomenon and a benchmark in the horror-comedy genre with its Rs 129.83 crore net. Airlift, led by Akshay Kumar , was considered one of his most impactful films, collecting Rs 128.1 crore net on the strength of patriotic themes and strong performances. That Saiyaara, in just five days, has overtaken these names is both a testament to its commercial traction and a signal of changing audience preferences. The film has particularly clicked with metro youth audiences, and its soundtrack is already dominating music charts. Trade insiders note that had the film been fronted by established stars, it could have easily crossed Rs 200 crore and some even claim it can breach Rs 250 crore mark as well.
News18
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
ICYMI: Naseeruddin Shah's Birthday Celebrations At Prithvi Theatre
Naseeruddin Shah opted for a close gathering to mark his special day at the popular Prithvi Theatre. Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah turned 75 on July 20, and instead of a grand bash, he decided to visit the place that is close to his heart, Mumbai's Prithvi Theatre. The actor opted for a quiet, heartfelt gathering to mark his special day, attended by some talented actors from the industry. Thanks to Seema Pahwa's Instagram post, fans got a delightful peek into the celebration that brought together renowned artists and friends. Seema Pahwa, known for her roles in films like Bhool Chuk Maaf and Gangubai Kathiawadi, shared a string of pictures from the celebrations. The birthday carousel opens to a lovely photo featuring herself with veteran actor Naseeruddin and husband, actor Manoj Pahwa. The subsequent pictures saw Naseeruddin posing with his friends from the industry. In a delightful surprise, the photo also captured Naseeruddin's wife and actress Ratna Pathak Shah in the background. In the last slide, the actor is seen on stage, seemingly addressing the group of students in the theatre. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Seema Bhargava Pahwa (@seemabhargavapahwa) Sharing the photos, Naseeruddin Shah, 'Birthday celebration at Prithvi house with all friends and fans to NASEER SIR happy birthday once again sir." Despite carving out an irreplaceable mark for himself in the film world, Naseeruddin Shah continues to be the theatre circuit's backbone even today. Earlier, veteran actor opened up on his love for theatres, saying that he will continue to do plays and shows even if no one turns up. He said, 'I fear for the existence of the large commercial spaces as well as the very small ones. But there was the plague in Shakespeare's time, too. Theatres were shut for a year but recovered gradually. I am optimistic that'll happen here as well. But I love being on the stage and will continue even if no one turns up." On the work front, Naseeruddin Shah was last seen in IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, which also featured Vijay Varma, Pankaj Kapur, Patralekhaa, Aravind Swamy, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Dia Mirza and Amrita Puri, among others. The web series is available for streaming on Netflix. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
