Sanjay Leela Bhansali had just one release as a director and producer in 2018, the blockbuster period drama epic movie Padmaavat.
Padmaavat was loosely based on Malik Muhammad Jayasi epic poem titled Padmavat. The film starred Deepika Padukone in the titular role as the gorgeous Rajput Queen Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Rajput King Maharawal Ratan Singh and husband of Rani Padmavati, and Ranveer Singh as the marauding Sultan Alauddin Khalji. Other cast members included Aditi Rao Hydari, Raza Murad, Jim Sarbh, and Anupriya Goenka. Bhansali wrote the film in addition to directing and co-producing it with Viacom 18 Motion Pictures.
The film faced several problems during shoot and after completion of shooting. Many right wing groups vandalized the sets during shooting and even physically attacked and injured Bhansali and other crew members. After the shoot was complete, the violent protests did not stop. Hence, the film did not release on Dec 1, 2017 as was initially planned. The Censor Board passed the film with a title change and some minor cuts and the film was finally released in theaters on Jan 25, 2018 in 3D, 2D, and IMAX 3D formats. Padmaavat thus became the first Bollywood film to be released in theaters in IMAX 3D format.
The film received mixed reviews, but the audiences thronged to the theaters to watch the film. By the time Padmaavat finished its theatrical run, it had collected a massive INR 585 crores at the box office, thereby making it one of the highest grossing Bollywood films of all time.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali – Upcoming Movies for 2019, 2020 and 2021
- Bhansali’s next film is rumored to be Inshallah starring Salman Khan. The film will have an Eid 2020 release. Salman Khan will be paired opposite Deepika Padukone in this film.
- As per reports, Sanjay is also in talks with Shahrukh and Salman Khan to make a ‘Saudagar’ like film wherein friends become foes.
- It is also rumored that Bhansali will direct two other movies in the future, titled ‘Hira Mandi’ and ‘Chenab Gandhi’.
- One of the projects that has been in the news for long is a movie on Sahir Ludhianvi; Abhishek Bachchan will essay the role of the poet while Alia Bhatt may be selected for the role of Amrita Pritam.
Although all of the above are projects that Bhansali is interested and may make over the next 3 years, he is definitely going to direct ‘Inshallah’.
