Sanjay Leela Bhansali is expanding his production slate with another ambitious project. While the filmmaker remains busy completing his own directorial ‘Love & War’, Bhansali Productions is moving ahead with a historical epic to be directed by Ranjan Chandel, best known for the acclaimed series ‘Grahan’.According to Bollywood Hungama, the yet-untitled project is currently being kept under wraps, with the makers maintaining secrecy around its storyline and casting. However, the script is said to have been completed and the team is expected to begin the casting process once Bhansali has had an opportunity to review the material.Production is reportedly being targeted for the first half of 2027.
Ranjan Chandel to explore a new genre
The collaboration brings together two filmmakers with notably different creative backgrounds. Chandel has largely built his reputation through grounded stories dealing with crime, politics, romance and emotionally intense characters.Bhansali Productions, meanwhile, is associated with large-scale productions featuring elaborate visual worlds and period settings. The upcoming historical drama is expected to combine Chandel’s storytelling approach with the grand scale generally associated with Bhansali’s production house.The project has reportedly been in development for around a year, with Chandel working closely with Bhansali on the script.
Ranjan Chandel made his mark with ‘Grahan’
Ranjan Chandel gained widespread recognition with JioHotstar’s ‘Grahan’, a crime drama inspired by Satya Vyas’ novel ‘Chaurasi’. The series follows an IPS officer investigating the allegations against her father in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Jharkhand.Before ‘Grahan’, Chandel directed the romantic action drama ‘Bamfaad’, featuring Aditya Rawal and Shalini Pandey.His career has also included collaborations with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. Chandel worked as an assistant director on ‘Raman Raghav 2.0’ and later served as a co-writer on ‘Mukkabaaz’ and ‘Nishaanchi’. He also wrote Neeraj Ghaywan’s short film ‘Juice’.Chandel made his directorial debut with the award-winning short film ‘Jaan Jigar’ in 2018.
Ranjan Chandel’s upcoming projects include ‘Rangbaaz’ Season 4
Ranjan Chandel was also at the helm of Vikrant Massey-starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’, released in 2024. However, he reportedly exited the film towards the end of its shoot following creative differences with producer Ekta Kapoor.His next directorial assignment is the fourth season of ZEE5’s crime drama ‘Rangbaaz’. The series features Mohit Raina, Vijay Raaz, Arunoday Singh, Pawan Malhotra, Zoya Afroz, Rahul Dev, Ashutosh Rana, Manu Rishi Chadha and Kanikka Kapoor in pivotal roles.The new season has recently commenced filming in Bhopal. Chandel is expected to begin pre-production on the Bhansali Productions historical project after completing the series.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali continues expanding his production line-up
Meanwhile, Bhansali remains occupied with the final schedule of ‘Love & War’, his period romantic drama starring Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt. The current schedule is underway at Royal Palms in Goregaon. Following the completion of the film, the same location is expected to host Bhansali Productions’ ‘Madhubala’. ‘Dhurandhar’ actress Sara Arjun is set to portray the titular character, with production reportedly scheduled to begin in October.Bhansali Productions is also developing a mythological jungle adventure featuring Dhanush, which is expected to begin production in February 2027. With the Ranjan Chandel historical epic joining the slate, Bhansali Productions continues to build a diverse line-up spanning period dramas, mythology and biographical stories.