Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali collaborated with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to create a special tableau titled “Bharat Katha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti” for the Republic Day Parade. He expressed a profound honor in representing Indian cinema and the creative community during this significant event.
The tableau was showcased on Kartavya Path, emphasizing the connection between India’s civilizational heritage and modern creative expressions. It illustrated how tradition and technology can collaboratively shape the national identity of India.
In his statement, Bhansali shared his gratitude for the opportunity to co-create the tableau with the Ministry, highlighting its tribute to India’s timeless stories and cinema’s role in reviving them. He referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of globalizing Indian storytelling and recognizing cinema as a vital aspect of India’s cultural identity.
The tableau commenced with the cosmic sound of Aum, signifying the roots of sound, knowledge, and creativity. The first segment, titled Shruti, represented India’s oral traditions through the depiction of a Guru sharing wisdom with disciples beneath a Peepal tree. This was enhanced by dynamic sound-wave motifs, illustrating the oral transmission of knowledge.
The second segment, Kriti, showcased the shift from oral narratives to written documentation. It featured Lord Ganesha inscribing the Mahabharata, symbolizing the sacred act of authorship and the preservation of cultural narratives.
Concluding with the segment titled Drishti, the tableau reflected India’s contemporary media landscape. It included imagery of vintage cameras, film reels, satellite symbols, and newspapers, showcasing the evolution of cinema, broadcasting, and print media over time.
Additionally, the tableau honored various filmmakers and artists who have shaped Indian cinema, while incorporating digital elements such as Artificial Intelligence, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics-Extended Reality (AVGC-XR). This highlighted India’s transition towards immersive storytelling and next-generation media technologies.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali remains a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, known for his grand cinematic works like Khamoshi, Devdas, Black, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat, and the OTT series Heeramandi. His contributions have significantly influenced the landscape of Indian storytelling.