Sanjay Leela Bhansali Signs Grahan Director for Historical Epic

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is expanding his production slate once again, and this time he has reportedly found a filmmaker from a very different creative background to direct his next historical epic. According to a new report, Ranjan Chandel, best known for directing the acclaimed series Grahan, has been signed by Bhansali Productions for an ambitious yet-untitled historical drama.

While details about the project are being kept strictly under wraps, the report claims that the historical epic has already been scripted and is expected to move into casting soon. Production is reportedly being planned for the first half of 2027, once the team completes the necessary preparations.

Key Details

Ranjan Chandel Gets a Big Opportunity

The appointment of Ranjan Chandel is particularly interesting because his filmmaking background is quite different from the grand historical spectacles normally associated with Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Chandel gained recognition with Grahan, the critically acclaimed crime-drama series inspired by Satya Vyas' novel Chaurasi. The series explored the aftermath of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots through an emotional investigation involving an IPS officer and her father.

His work has generally focused on grounded characters, emotionally complex situations and stories involving crime, politics and social realities.

Now, with the reported historical epic, Chandel is set to move into a much larger cinematic world.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Chandel Have Been Developing the Film for a Year

According to the report, this is not a recently conceived collaboration. The project has reportedly been in development for around a year, with Ranjan Chandel working closely with Bhansali on the scripting process.

The exact subject of the historical epic remains undisclosed, which makes the project even more intriguing. Bhansali Productions is reportedly waiting for Bhansali to finish his directorial commitments before taking the film into its next phase.

The collaboration could bring together two very different filmmaking sensibilities—Chandel's grounded storytelling and Bhansali's preference for visually rich, large-scale cinema.

From Grahan to a Lavish Historical Drama

The biggest question surrounding the project is how Ranjan Chandel will adapt his storytelling style to a large-scale historical setting.

Grahan was praised for its restrained storytelling and emotional depth. A Bhansali-backed historical film, on the other hand, is likely to require extensive production design, elaborate costumes, large sets and a much wider cinematic canvas.

That contrast could actually become the project's biggest strength.

Instead of simply replicating Bhansali's familiar visual style, Chandel could bring a more realistic and emotionally grounded approach to a lavish historical setting.

Ranjan Chandel’s Career Has Been Expanding

Before landing the reported Bhansali Productions historical epic, Chandel had already worked across films and streaming projects.

He made his feature directorial debut with Bamfaad, starring Aditya Rawal and Shalini Pandey. He also worked with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, initially as an assistant director on Raman Raghav 2.0 and later as a co-writer on projects including Mukkabaaz and Nishaanchi.

Chandel also directed The Sabarmati Report, although he reportedly stepped away from the project towards the end of its production following creative differences.

His next assignment is Rangbaaz Season 4, which recently entered production in Bhopal. The series stars Mohit Raina, Vijay Raaz, Arunoday Singh, Pawan Malhotra and others and is expected to premiere on ZEE5 in early 2027.

Bhansali’s Production Slate Is Getting Bigger

The new historical epic is only one part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's expanding production slate.

The filmmaker is currently completing his directorial Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. At the same time, Bhansali Productions is preparing for the upcoming Madhubala biopic, with Sara Arjun set to play the legendary actress.

Another production in the pipeline is a mythological jungle adventure starring Dhanush, which is reportedly scheduled to begin production in February 2027.

The addition of Chandel's historical epic makes the company's upcoming slate even more ambitious.

When Will the Historical Epic Go on Floors?

For now, the project remains untitled, and the cast has not yet been announced.

According to the latest report, the script is complete and the team is expected to begin casting soon. Production is being targeted for the first half of 2027, but an exact shooting date will depend on Bhansali's schedule and the completion of Chandel's other commitments.

The absence of plot and casting details means it is too early to predict the scale or release date of the film. However, the involvement of Bhansali Productions alone makes it a project worth watching.

A New Chapter for Ranjan Chandel

The Sanjay Leela Bhansali Ranjan Chandel collaboration could prove to be a major turning point in the younger filmmaker's career.

Moving from the grounded world of Grahan to a potentially massive historical production is a significant creative leap. At the same time, Bhansali gets a director who brings a different storytelling perspective to his production house.

With the script reportedly ready and casting expected to begin soon, the mystery surrounding the project is only likely to grow.

For now, the makers are keeping the biggest details secret—but one thing is already clear: Bhansali Productions is preparing another ambitious historical story, and Grahan director Ranjan Chandel is at the centre of it.

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