Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has once again underlined his deep-rooted belief in placing women at the heart of storytelling, drawing inspiration from some of Indian cinema’s most iconic directors. Known for crafting visually rich narratives led by powerful female characters, Bhansali reflected on how the filmmakers he admired shaped his creative vision. Bhansali spoke at length about legends like Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, K. Asif, Mehboob Khan, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, and V. Shantaram—filmmakers he holds in the highest regard. According to him, what united these cinematic greats was their ability to tell compelling stories centered around women.
“I feel all the directors that I have loved - Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, K. Asif, Mehboob Khan, Vimal Roy saheb, Guru Dutt, V. Shantaram - they all told beautiful women stories. They understood that she is the creator of the man, and therefore she needs to be given a place in literature, cinema, art every which way,” Bhansali said. Expanding on this thought, the filmmaker emphasized that these directors weren’t necessarily telling stories of men, but rather narratives where women were equally, if not more, significant. This philosophy is something Bhansali has consistently carried forward in his own filmography. Citing examples from his own work, Bhansali explained how his storytelling is incomplete without strong female characters. “So if there is Bajirao, there is Mastani also, for me. As long as there is no Mastani, I will not make Bajirao. As long as there is no Padmaavat who holds the fort and fights that war and goes into fire, I would not have made that film,” he added, reinforcing his belief that women are integral to the emotional and narrative core of his cinema. Over the years, Bhansali has built a reputation for creating unforgettable female characters, whether it’s the ethereal Mastani or the resilient Padmaavat, who stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts, often becoming the true driving force of the story. On the work front, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently gearing up for his next ambitious project, Love and War, which has already generated significant buzz among audiences. The film stars Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles.