Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an artist truly, who creates a painting on the 70mm. I am yet to figure how the man does it, but I love his cinema for their its beauty and aesthetics apart from his brilliant narrative and magnitude. I’m so looking forward to Gangubai Kathiawadi because the trailer itself has left everyone one spell-bound. The first song from the film, Dholida was released yesterday and he has created magic! We’ve seen Alia Bhatt dance before, but this is something else! Bhansali’s composition and Kruti Mahesh’s choreography along with Alia’s sheer perfection at those garba moves and body language – make Dholida a complete win for me.
But this certainly is not surprising, because Sanjay Leela Bhansali is now a connoisseur when it comes to visual appeal, art, dance forms and cinematic magic. Let’s recall five of his songs which completely prove that!
Nimbuda (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam)
When the film released in 1999, I was ten years old and I still remember every little girl wanting to dance to Nimbuda, including me. The huge, lavish set and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan dancing like a dream in that blue outfit to Saroj Khan’s choreography – what more does one say? Khan also won the best choreography award for this song and that’s not a surprise! Uff!
Dola Re Dola (Devdas)
This is epic and there can never be another Dola Re Dola because this kind of magic perhaps happens only once in a lifetime. This song brought together two actresses from two different eras and both being brilliant dancers. The jugalbandi of Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan remains unforgettable over the years. Saroj Khan won the National Award for best choreography for this. Again, this one in its entirety is a visually stunning master piece. The set, the props, the number of dancers used, the costumes, jewellery and yet there was no compromise on the dance itself. Let’s watch this again and realise all over again that this one is inimitable.
Nagada Sang Dhol (Goliyon Ki Raasleela RamLeela)
Bhansali isn’t just a brilliant film-maker but also what a composer! These tracks completely prove that. This song continues to be a rage every Navratri and the film-maker made sure Nagada Sang Dhol also has the grandeur and feel that his songs have. Deepika Padukone did complete justice to Sameer and Arsh Tanna’s brilliant choreography, dancing with full energy in the most stunning garba outfit.
Pinga
I love how Bhansali highlights the Indian folk culture so well in his songs – be it the Gujarati garba or with Pinga in Bajirao Mastani. Of course, this one brought back memories of Dola Re Dola. While Pinga could never come close to Dola Re Dola, this one had its own charm and beauty. Both, Deepika and Priyanka Chopra were brilliant with their moves and expresssions and interestingly, this one was choreographed by Remo D’souza. The ace choreographer completely broke his own image of being an urban choreographer with this one.
Ghoomar
The palacial background, costumes and choreography completely soaking in the culture of Rajasthan and the signature twirls – Ghoomar won my heart completely. I wondered how Deepika could get the quintessential body language for this Rajasthani folk, so on-point after the garba body language in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ramleela. This one was choreographed by Kruti Mahesh who also has choreographed Dholida and Kruti won a national award for it.
