Sanjay Leela Bhansali admits all his films are ‘born out of chaos of his life’; recalls living in ‘tiny 300-square-foot colorless chawl’

Sanjay Leela Bhansali admits all his films are ‘born out of chaos of his life’; recalls living in ‘tiny 300-square-foot colorless chawl’

As a lifestyle expert, I find Sanjay Leela Bhansali to be a remarkable individual whose life experiences have significantly shaped his artistic vision. Born and raised in a 300-square-foot colorless chawl, Bhansali’s humble beginnings stand as a stark contrast to the grandeur he portrays on screen. Yet, it is this very contrast that gives his work its unique charm and authenticity.


Known for creating grand cinematic settings like the majestic Chittor Fort in Padmaavat and the expansive Heera Mandi in his latest Netflix series, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s personal history starkly differs from the lavishness he depicts. In a recent interview, Bhansali revealed details about his simple start in life, growing up in a 300-square-foot colorless chawl in Mumbai. He also spoke about how each of his movies emerges from the turmoil of his own experiences.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, SLB reminisced about his early life and stated, “I hail from a humble, compact dwelling within a 300-square-foot, monochromatic space.” Having been raised in tight quarters alongside his family, Bhansali revealed that his upbringing significantly influenced his worldview. Although the chawl’s walls lacked color, his dreams were vibrant and full of life.

Yet, these personal experiences significantly shaped Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s filmmaking style and fueled his creative turmoil. He expressed, “I have created grand films, I have earned the privilege to make large-scale films, but it all stems from the tumult of my life.

He shared that his films are deeply personal, occasionally unsettling to view, and can be hard to digest. He admitted that his movies may never reach the widespread success of those made by others, noting that financial success isn’t his primary goal. Instead, he emphasized that what truly matters is the influence his work has on him as a creator.

It was clear there were inconsistencies in his life: on one hand, his family faced financial hardships; on the other, they maintained a strong love for cinema. Bhansali disclosed that even in their small, crowded chawl, his mother, an exceptionally talented dancer, would gracefully perform.

He mentioned, with tears in his eyes, that his heroines later danced on the grandest sets ever created in Hindi cinema. He reflected on how the unfulfilled life surrounding him led him to reject realism, stating that the fantastical world of cinema became his sole escape from the harshness of reality. 

In my line of expertise, I often find that personal circumstances can shape one’s journey significantly. For instance, in the case of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, his family’s connection to the cinematic world was instrumental during his formative years, even amidst financial struggles. As for his professional life, he’s currently gearing up for a new project titled “Love and War,” starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal.

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2024-10-08 08:37