Mumbai: Padma Shri recipient Sanjay Leela Bhansali flagged off his home production under the banner Bhansali Productions, with the commercially successful and critically acclaimed Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999 and has ever since never failed to deliver films that have made celluloid history.
While Rowdy Rathore, Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela and Mary Kom went on to enter the highly coveted 100 crore club, Bhansali Production’s recent vigilante entertainer, Gabbar is Back ,created a splash at the box office ,cementing four bonafide hits for the production house.
The film marked the big Bollywood directorial debut of Krish and acted as a lean spell breaker for the film industry. Having taken Gabbar is Back director Krish under his wing,Sanjay Leela Bhansali has earlier mentored debutante director Omung Kumar, with Mary Kom setting a benchmark at the box office , not to mention, winning a National Award.
The fact that both films had cash registers ringing and resonated with audiences across the country, only goes to show that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has a keen eye for discovering talent, not just in terms of actors but directors as well.
Bhansali is now all set to roll out with his next production and will be launching casting director Mukesh Chhabra, as director, with the film.
Mukesh Chhabra who is the industry’s biggest casting director and the hand behind several Bollywood discoveries is ready with a big film ,announcement of which will be made soon.
Chhabra who is the flavor of the season, having worked on Bajrangi Bhaijaan,is ecstatic but continues to remain tight-lipped about the project that sources reveal ,will be completely worthy of being a Bhansali Production.
Sources add, ” Sanjay Leela Bhansali believes that Mukesh Chhabra will be a great director and his background in casting and foreseeing actors in certain characters, will add immensely to his experience in directing a film.”
Confirming the news says Mukesh Chhabra, “Sanjay Sir is putting his trust in me and I am thankful to him. I am on the path of realizing my dream. It is too early to talk about what the film will be about; but I need to pull up my socks and get ready to play this new role. After casting for so many films for so many amazing directors; this is a huge opportunity for me.”
Adds Sanjay Leela Bhansali, “I see immense potential in Mukesh Chhabra as a filmmaker. His background in casting and forseeing actors in characters, I beleive, will work in his favor as a director.”