The filmmaker creates a tableau showcasing cinema as a continuation of India's storytelling tradition.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, unveiled a distinctive tableau themed ‘Bharat Gatha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti’, marking a landmark moment for Indian cinema on the national stage.
(Photo courtesy: X@PBSHABD)
As the tableau progressed along Kartavya Path on January 26, it created history by placing Indian cinema at the heart of the country’s most prestigious ceremonial event. This was the first time an Indian film director represented cinema at the Republic Day Parade, reinforcing the medium’s role as a powerful storyteller of India’s cultural and civilisational legacy.
Conceptualized under the broader theme of Bharat Gatha, the tableau positioned cinema not merely as entertainment but as a continuation of India’s ancient storytelling tradition. Sharing his thoughts, Sanjay Leela Bhansali expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, calling the collaboration a tribute to India’s timeless stories and the creative community.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhansali said, “I felt deeply honored to represent Indian cinema and the creator community at the Republic Day Parade under the theme Bharat Gatha. Co-creating this tableau with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was a tribute to India’s timeless stories and the power of cinema to retell them. It reflects the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of taking Indian storytelling to the world and celebrating cinema as one of India’s strongest cultural voices.”
