Devdas to Heeramandi: How Sanjay Leela Bhansali weaves history, emotion & style through costume

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is undeniably one of the finest and most visionary filmmakers in Indian cinema. His mastery lies in creating grand, immersive cinematic universes that blend opulence with authenticity. No one matches his ability to transport audiences through time. His contribution to Indian cinema echoes the brilliance of legends like Raj Kapoor, K. Asif, Mehboob Khan, Guru Dutt, V. Shantaram, and Kamal Amrohi. Like them, Bhansali’s films transcend time and genre, weaving unforgettable characters, powerful emotions, and layered narratives. One of the most defining elements of his storytelling is costume design, each garment is historically rooted, meticulously styled, and narratively symbolic. From Devdas to Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani to Heeramandi, Bhansali’s costumes don’t just dress character, they evoke history, royalty, and timeless elegance.

In Heeramandi, every character’s costume, from Manisha Koirala to Sonakshi Sinha and others, even the male and supporting cast’s costumes, was crafted with such detail and authenticity, it effortlessly transported viewers back in time, evoking elegance, power, and cultural richness.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Bajirao Mastani crafted each costume with breathtaking detail, taking us back to the Maratha era. From Ranveer Singh’s warrior attire to Priyanka Chopra’s traditional look as Kashibai and Deepika’s regal ensembles, every outfit echoed historical elegance and authenticity.

In Padmaavat, Sanjay Leela Bhansali ensured every costume exuded royalty and authenticity. From Deepika Padukone’s grand lehengas in “Ghoomar” to Shahid Kapoor’s regal Rajput attire and Ranveer Singh’s fierce, gritty looks, each outfit perfectly reflected the era and the essence of the story.

In Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Sanjay Leela Bhansali designed Deepika and Ranveer’s costumes to be both vibrant and rooted in tradition. Each outfit perfectly matched the film’s colourful, dramatic setup, enhancing the passion, culture, and fiery energy of the narrative.

In Devdas, the costumes of Madhuri Dixit, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were timeless and iconic. Every outfit, from grand saris to intricate sherwanis, beautifully reflected the era and emotions, weaving a visual story that deepened the film’s tragic romance.