Sanjay Leela Bhansali birthday special! Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, and other actors who debuted in the filmmaker's movies

Before the world witnessed the acting prowess of newcomers like Meezaan Jaaferi, Sharmin Segal, or the now established actors like Ranbir Kapoor, and Sonam Kapoor, it was Sanjay Leela Bhansali who recognised their potential and gave them a break. The filmmaker, who turns a year older today, has successfully launched many careers. Take a look:
Pic: Sanjay Leela Bhansali/ Ranbir Kapoor/ Sonam Kapoor

Ranbir’s debut Bollywood venture ‘Saawariya’ was helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. While the film was based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's 'White Nights', it’s is still remembered for bringing out a side of Ranbir that reminded the audience of his grandfather, Raj Kapoor, right in the first film. Needless to say, the film opened a floodgate of opportunities for the actor almost immediately.

Pic: Ranbir Kapoor

Sonam, too, made her debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ‘Saawariya’. But even before that, the actress had worked with him as an assistant director. In fact, it was Bhansali who had prodded Sonam to take a leap of faith and try her acting skills without even knowing that she was Anil Kapoor’s daughter during the audition.

Pic: Sonam Kapoor

Jaaved Jaaferi’s son, Meezaan never dreamt of following in his father’s footsteps until he met Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who launched him in his romance-drama 'Malaal', opposite the filmmaker's niece, Sharmin Segal after the newbie acted as a body double for Ranveer Singh in 'Padmaavat'.

Pic: Meezaan Jaaferi

Miss India 2017 Jhataleka Malhotra, too, got her big Bollywood break in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-backed new-age love story ‘Tuesdays And Fridays’, where she shared screenspace with debutant Anmol Thakeria Dhillon. Talking about her experience, she told IANS: “I never imagined that I would get a chance to meet an icon like Sanjay Leela Bhansali in my debut film. Like every movie watcher, I have grown up watching and admiring his work. The first time I met him, I was nervous and to an extent intimidated, because in my mind I was overthinking how the meeting would go. He has an aura. Eventually, I realised he is a nice man, and has an eye for details”.
Pic: Jhataleka Malhotra

Poonam Dhillon’s son, Anmol recently made his debut with ‘Tuesdays and Fridays’. Talking about bagging the role, he shared that though he had grown up watching the filmmaker’s work, he had never met him before. “I wasn’t offered This film just on a platter. Jhataleka and I have had the same journey from the day we had a meeting with Mr. Bhansali,” he explained on being asked about the disadvantages of being a star kid.

Pic: Anmol Thakeria Dhillon

It was Sanjay Leela Bhansali who introduced his niece Sharmin Segal. The actress marked her acting debut in ‘Malaal’ co-starring Meezaan Jaaferi. Besides this, Sharmin had also assisted Sanjay on ‘Bajirao Mastani’.

Pic: Sharmin Segal