Sanjay Leela Bhansali Teams Up with Grahan Director Ranjan Chandel for New Historical Epic
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently immersed in the demanding shoot of his directorial project, Love & War. However, this has not hindered his prolific output as a producer. Under his banner, Bhansali Productions, he is assembling an impressive slate of projects, including a biopic on the legendary actress Madhubala and a mythological jungle adventure film featuring Dhanush.
New Historical Epic in the Works
In a recent development, Bhansali has enlisted Grahan director Ranjan Chandel for a historical epic. While specific details about the project remain under wraps, sources indicate that the writing phase has been completed. The production team is poised to move into casting soon, pending Bhansali’s review of the project after he wraps up Love & War. The film is slated to begin production in the first half of 2027.
This untitled project represents a significant shift for Chandel, who is recognized for his grounded and emotionally resonant narratives that often explore themes of crime, politics, and romance. In contrast, Bhansali Productions is celebrated for its grand, visually stunning dramas. The collaboration between Chandel and Bhansali has been in development for a year, with Chandel actively involved in the scripting process alongside Bhansali. Sources suggest that this unexpected partnership is likely to infuse a unique flavor into the historical drama.
Ranjan Chandel’s Background
Ranjan Chandel has gained acclaim for directing the critically lauded Grahan, a crime drama series on JioHotstar based on Satya Vyas’ novel Chaurasi. The series follows an IPS officer as she seeks the truth behind her father’s alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Jharkhand. Chandel also directed the romantic action-drama Bamfaad, featuring Aditya Rawal and Shalini Pandey. His experience includes working closely with Anurag Kashyap, first as an assistant director on Raman Raghav 2.0 and later as a co-writer on Mukkabaaz and Nishaanchi. He made his directorial debut with the award-winning short film Jaan Jigar in 2018.
Chandel recently directed The Sabarmati Report starring Vikrant Massey but departed from the project due to creative differences with producer Ekta Kapoor. He is also set to helm the fourth season of ZEE 5’s flagship show Rangbaaz, which features a star-studded cast including Mohit Raina and Vijay Raaz. Following the completion of this web series, Chandel is expected to enter pre-production for the Bhansali project.
Bhansali’s Ongoing Projects
Meanwhile, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is in the final stages of shooting Love & War, a much-anticipated period love story starring Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Alia Bhatt. The final schedule is taking place at Royal Palms in Goregaon. After wrapping this project, the same location will be utilized for the production of the Madhubala biopic, which is set to begin filming in October. Additionally, Bhansali’s mythological jungle adventure film featuring Dhanush is scheduled to go into production in February 2027.
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