17 Sanjay Leela Bhansali Movies That Are Masterpieces

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an Indian filmmaker and music composer. He is prominently known for his work in the Bollywood film industry. Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies are famous for their visually stunning cinematography, intricate and grandiose set designs, opulent costumes, emotionally charged storytelling, and memorable music compositions.

His parents were Navin Bhansali, a film producer, and Leela Bhansali, a Gujarati classical music singer. He has completed his education at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.

Besides directing, Bhansali is also involved in various aspects of filmmaking. He has worked as a producer, screenwriter, and music director on many of his projects. He is known for his perfectionism and attention to detail.

Bhansali made his directorial debut with Khamoshi: The Musical in 1996, but he gained widespread acclaim with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999. His most notable films are Devdas (2002), Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013), Padmaavat (2018), and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022).

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has received several awards for his contribution to Indian cinema. He has won 7 National Film Awards and 12 Filmfare Awards. He was also honored with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, in 2015 by the Government of India.

Here are the best movies in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies list:

1. Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)

Khamoshi: The Musical is a movie directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It follows the story of a deaf-mute couple, Flavy (played by Seema Biswas) and Joseph (played by Nana Patekar), and their daughter Annie (played by Manisha Koirala). This movie showcases the challenges they face in communication and their emotional journey.

Genre: Musical, Romance

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Watch On: Amazon Prime Video

2. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is a movie directed and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It tells the story of Nandini (played by Aishwarya Rai), who is in love with Sameer (played by Salman Khan). However, circumstances lead her to marry Vanraj (played by Ajay Devgn). It shows Nandini’s struggles with her feelings and the complexities of love. This is one of the most loved Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies of all time.

Genre: Drama, Musical

IMDb Rating: 7.4

Watch On: Jio Cinema, Voot

3. Devdas (2002)

Devdas is a movie directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It follows the life story of Devdas (played by Shah Rukh Khan), who gets separated from his childhood love Paro (played by Aishwarya Rai) because of family pressures. To relieve his separation pain, he turns to alcohol, leading to self-destruction. This one among the Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies is based on the novel “Devdas” by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Genre: Musical, Romance

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Watch On: Jio Cinema, Voot

4. Black (2005)

Black is a movie directed and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It revolves around the story of the relationship between a blind and deaf girl named Michelle McNally (played by Rani Mukerji) and her elderly alcoholic teacher, Debraj Sahai (played by Amitabh Bachchan). This Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie received widespread praise for its powerful performances and sensitive handling of disability.

Genre: Drama

IMDb Rating: 8.1

5. Saawariya (2007)

Saawariya is a movie directed and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The story of this movie revolves around Ranbir Raj Malhotra (played by Ranbir Kapoor), a free-spirited and kindhearted man who falls in love with Sakina Khan (played by Sonam Kapoor). The film is known for its visually stunning sets and cinematography.

Genre: Musical, Romance

6. Guzaarish (2010)

Guzaarish is a movie directed and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It revolves around the story of Ethan Mascarenhas (played by Hrithik Roshan), a former magician who becomes paralyzed after a tragic accident. It follows his plea for euthanasia and the legal battle that ensues. This movie also has Aishwarya Rai as Sofia D’Souza, Ethan’s nurse. This is one of the most intense Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies.

Genre: Drama, Romance

IMDb Rating: 7.4

7. My Friend Pinto (2011)

My Friend Pinto is a movie produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Its story revolves around the character Michael Pinto (played by Prateik Babbar) and his misadventures in the city of Mumbai. Pinto is an innocent and good-hearted man who gets involved in a series of comical situations when he goes missing just before his best friend’s wedding.

Genre: Comedy, Crime

8. Rowdy Rathore (2012)

Rowdy Rathore is a movie produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It features Akshay Kumar in a double role as Shiva and Vikram Rathore. The story tells of Shiva, a small-time thief who gets involved in a case of mistaken identity. He is forced to impersonate a police officer named Vikram Rathore. This is one of the most action-packed Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies.

Genre: Action, Comedy

Watch On: Netflix

9. Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi (2012)

Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi is a movie produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The story of this movie follows Farhad Pastakiya (played by Boman Irani), a 45-year-old man who works as a lingerie salesman. He falls in love with Shirin Fugawala (played by Farah Khan), a 40-year-old woman who is afraid of commitment. The film explores the challenges of romance in middle age.

Genre: Romance

Watch On: Jio Cinema, Zee 5

10. Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013)

Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela is a movie directed and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It is the Hindi adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet.” This movie was set in rural Gujarat and tells the story of star-crossed lovers, Ram (played by Ranveer Singh) and Leela (played by Deepika Padukone), from two feuding families. This is one of the most stunning and intriguing Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies.

Genre: Musical, Romance

IMDb Rating: 6.4

Watch On: Jio Cinema, Voot

11. Mary Kom (2014)

Mary Kom is a movie produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It is based on the life journey of the Indian boxer Mary Kom, who is a six-time world champion and an Olympic bronze medalist. It follows Mary Kom’s (played by Priyanka Chopra) journey from her childhood in Manipur to becoming a renowned boxer. This film was appreciated for its inspiring narrative and compelling performances.

Genre: Sports, Biography

IMDb Rating: 6.8

Watch On: Netflix

12. Gabbar Is Back (2015)

Gabbar Is Back is a movie produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It tells the story of Professor Aditya (played by Akshay Kumar), who, after losing his wife and unborn child, becomes a vigilante to fight against corruption and injustice. This film addresses social issues and received attention for its action sequences. This is an official remake of the Tamil film “Ramanaa,” released in 2002.

Genre: Action, Crime

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Watch On: Netflix, Voot

13. Bajirao Mastani (2015)

Bajirao Mastani is a movie directed and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It narrates the heart-wrenching love story of the Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao I (played by Ranveer Singh) and his second wife Mastani Bai (played by Deepika Padukone). This movie showcases the challenges faced by the couple due to societal and political opposition. This is one of the most grandiose Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies.

Genre: History, Action

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Watch On: Jio Cinema, Voot

14. Padmaavat (2018)

Padmaavat is a movie directed and co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It is based on the epic poem “Padmavat” by Malik Muhammad Jayasi. It tells the story of the legend of Rani Padmavati (played by Deepika Padukone), her husband Maharawal Ratan Singh (played by Shahid Kapoor), and the tyrant Alauddin Khilji (played by Ranveer Singh). This Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie faced controversy before its release because of its relationship to history, but it still garnered much praise.

Genre: History, Romance

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Watch On: Amazon Prime Video

15. Malaal (2019)

Malaal is a movie co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It is the remake of the 2004 Tamil-Telugu film “7G Rainbow Colony.” This movie revolves around the love story of Shiva More (played by Meezaan Jaffrey), a street-smart young man, and Astha Tripathi (played by Sharmin Segal), a reserved and traditional girl. It showcases the challenges and conflicts that arise due to their different backgrounds and personalities.

Genre: Action, Romance

Watch On: Netflix

16. Tuesdays and Fridays (2021)

Tuesdays and Fridays is a movie co-produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It tells the story of Varun Sarin (played by Anmol Dhillon) and Sia Malhotra (played by Jhataleka Malhotra), a young couple who decide to date each other only on Tuesdays and Fridays. This film explores the challenges and dynamics of modern relationships and shows the ups and downs experienced by the couple.

Genre: Romance, Musical

Watch On: Netflix

17. Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)

Gangubai Kathiawadi is a movie directed and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It is based on a chapter of Hussain Zaidi’s book “Mafia Queens of Mumbai.” It presents Gangubai Kathiawadi (played by Alia Bhatt), a powerful and influential woman in the red-light area of Kamathipura, Mumbai. This movie explores her journey from being sold into prostitution to becoming a known figure in the criminal underworld. This movie is currently one of the most amazing Sanjay Leela Bhansali movies.

Genre: Biography, Drama

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Watch On: Netflix