Sanjay Leela Bhansali facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Bhansali in 2021
Born	(1963-02-24) 24 February 1963 (age 62) Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Occupation	Filmmaker music composer
Years active	1996–present
Relatives	Sharmin Segal (niece)
Awards	Full list
Honours	Padma Shri (2015)
Signature

Sanjay Leela Bhansali (born 24 February 1963) is a famous Indian filmmaker. He works in Hindi cinema as a director, producer, writer, editor, and music composer. He has won many important awards, including seven National Film Awards and 12 Filmfare Awards. In 2015, the Government of India gave him the Padma Shri. This is one of India's highest civilian awards. Bhansali is known for his beautiful movies, especially historical films, and his amazing music.

His first movie as a director was Khamoshi: The Musical (1996). He became very successful with romantic dramas like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002). Devdas even got a nomination for a BAFTA Award. He won a National Film Award for his film Black (2005). Later, he started his own production company called Bhansali Productions.

Bhansali continued to make popular films like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015), and Padmaavat (2018). He won more National Film Awards for these movies. In 2024, he started his own music label, Bhansali Music. He also created and directed the TV series Heeramandi.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Early Life

Sanjay Leela Bhansali was born on 24 February 1963. He grew up in Bhuleshwar, South Bombay, in a Gujarati family. His mother, Leela, worked hard sewing clothes to support the family. Sanjay loves Gujarati culture, including its food, music, and stories.

His sister, Bela Bhansali Segal, is also a director. She directed the film Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi (2012), which Sanjay helped write. His niece, Sharmin Segal, became an actress in his film Malaal (2019).

Bhansali's Film Career

Starting Out and Early Success (1989–2005)

Bhansali started his career helping other filmmakers. He was an assistant director for Parinda (1989). He also helped with writing and choreography for 1942: A Love Story (1994).

In 1996, he directed his first movie, Khamoshi: The Musical. This film was about a daughter who tries to talk to her deaf parents. It won 5 Filmfare Awards.

He became very well-known with the musical love story Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). This movie showed his unique style of beautiful visuals and festive scenes. It was a big hit and won many awards, including 4 National Film Awards and 8 Filmfare Awards.

His next big film was Devdas (2002). It was a historical romantic drama and became the highest-earning film that year. Devdas won 10 Filmfare Awards and 5 National Film Awards. It was even shown at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.

In 2005, Bhansali directed Black. This film won 11 Filmfare Awards, which was a record at the time. It also won him a National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. In 2006, Bhansali was a judge on the TV dance show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

Challenges and New Ventures (2007–2012)

Bhansali's film Saawariya (2007) did not do well at the box office. In 2008, he directed an opera called Padmavati in Paris. It was very successful and got great reviews from international critics.

In 2010, he released Guzaarish. For this film, he also started composing music for the first time. The movie received good reviews. In 2011, he was a judge on the music show X Factor India.

He also started producing other films. In 2012, he produced Rowdy Rathore, which was a big commercial success.

Becoming an Established Filmmaker (2013–Present)

Bhansali with Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone at a movie event in 2013.

In 2013, Bhansali directed Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela. This film was inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Some groups had concerns about the movie's title. Despite this, the film was very popular and earned a lot of money. It also received many award nominations for Bhansali.

He also worked in television. In 2013, he created the TV show Saraswatichandra.

The next year, he produced Mary Kom (2014). This was a film about a famous boxer. It was a big success and won a National Award for Best Popular Film. In 2015, he produced Gabbar Is Back, which was also a commercial success.

Bhansali's next big project was Bajirao Mastani (2015). This was a historical romantic drama about a warrior and his love story. The film was very popular and became one of the highest-earning Indian films ever. It won 7 National Film Awards, and Bhansali won the National Award for Best Director.

The President, Pranab Mukherjee, giving the Padma Shri Award to Sanjay Leela Bhansali in 2015.

In 2018, Bhansali directed Padmaavat, another historical drama. This film also faced some challenges during its making. However, it became the highest-earning film of that year. Bhansali won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for Padmaavat.

In 2022, Bhansali directed Gangubai Kathiawadi. This film was based on a true story about a powerful woman. It received great reviews and won many Filmfare and National Film Awards. Bhansali won Best Film and Best Director at the Filmfare Awards for this movie.

In March 2023, Bhansali started his own music company, Bhansali Music. He also created and directed the Netflix series Heeramandi. This series was very popular and will have a second season.

Bhansali's next film, Love & War, is planned for release in 2026.

Filmography

Movies

Year	Title	Director	Writer	Producer	Editor	Composer	Notes
1989	Parinda	Assistant	No	No	No	No
1994	1942: A Love Story	No	Yes	No	No	No
1996	Khamoshi: The Musical	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
1999	Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
2002	Devdas	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
2005	Black	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
2007	Saawariya	Yes	No	Yes	No	No
2010	Guzaarish	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
2011	My Friend Pinto	No	No	Yes	No	No
2012	Rowdy Rathore	No	No	Yes	No	No
	Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
2013	Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
2014	Mary Kom	Creative	No	Yes	Yes	No
2015	Gabbar Is Back	No	No	Yes	No	No
	Bajirao Mastani	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
2016	Laal Ishq	No	No	Yes	No	No	Marathi film
2018	Padmaavat	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
2019	Malaal	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
2021	Tuesdays and Fridays	No	No	Yes	No	No
2022	Gangubai Kathiawadi	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
2022	Mann Bairagi	No	No	Yes	No	No
2026	Love & War	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Television Shows

Reality Shows

Stage Productions

Music Albums

• Sukoon (2022)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Sanjay Leela Bhansali para niños