'Showman' Sanjay Leela Bhansali creates prestige-history as first film-maker to represent Indian Cinema at 2026 Republic Day parade !! By Sr. Journalist Chaitanya Padukone

'Showman'  film-maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali will soon create prestige history as the first Indian film director to represent Indian cinema and at the prestigious annual colorful Republic Day Parade on Monday January 26, this year  on Kartavya Path in Delhi. According to information available a special spectacular Indian Cinema-centric tableau-float will be showcased during the R-Day Parade in the presence of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and all the top-ranking cultural, political and defence forces VVIP dignitaries including the Hon'ble President of India and Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-jee ! 

This year, the Republic Day National celebrations will witness such  extra-special  Cinematic Glory moments—one that connects cinema, culture, and national pride in a way never seen before ! Its a matter of pride and prestige for entire Indian Cinema which is celebrating its 113th anniversary this year.
The initiative highlights the cultural richness, creative excellence, and global influence of Indian cinema, an art form that has long served as one of India’s strongest cultural ambassadors across the world.

For the first time ever, a true flag-bearer of Indian cinema, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will represent Indian cinema at the Republic Day Parade. This historic honor marks a re-defining chapter for Indian cinema and is set to create strong national awareness-momentum. There could be no better ideal representative for this moment than Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Over the decades, Seven-times National Film Awards-winner creative genius director-composer Sanjay Leela Bhansali has built his distinct distinguished identity in Indian Cinema. His maverick yet relatable musical films with visual grandeur  are known for their emotional depth, strong storytelling, grand visuals, and memorable melodious music. From Khamoshi--The Musical (1996) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam to Devdas to Black, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, Gangubai Kathiawadi and his more recent work the  OTT Netflix series-show Heeramandi

Almost all Bhansali’s films have also gained international recognition even at global festivals and foreign audiences worldwide. His brilliant cinema reflects grandeur, passion, and cultural pride—qualities that perfectly match with the spirit of Republic Day.

With this historic representation, Indian cinema finds an impactful representation on the nation’s biggest patriotic-cultural-ride events making January 26 even extra-special this year.

After being approached by the I & B Ministry top officials--over the past two months, innovative Bhansali and his creative team have been meticulously preparing a special Republic Day float-tableau that showbiz seniors are already calling an epoch-defining salute-tribute to Indian films.
For the first time ever, a true flag-bearer of Indian cinema, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, will represent Indian cinema at the Republic Day Parade. This historic honour marks a defining chapter for Indian cinema and is set to create strong national momentum. There could be no better ideal representative for these jubilant moments than Indian cinema-icon Sanjay Leela Bhansali !

On the career front, Bhansali remains even as he is co-producing Do Deewane Seher Mein, starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur ( directed by Ravi Udyawar-- of Hindi crime-thriller movie Sridevi starrer 'Mom' fame)  which is  set for release on February 20, 2026.  Visionary SLB is also returning as a director with mega-movie Love and War, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal and the movie is expected to release by or around August 15th 2026 !

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Personally for me, it has been my humbling honour that showman director-composer Sanjay Leela Bhansali has written the exclusive "foreword" for my Authored memoirs book titled R D Burmania, and he has also extended his "best wishes to me for my book". It was like a Crowning Glory foreword for my book and I am always grateful to modest sangeet-gyaani director Bhansali-Sir for his kind gesture.