The Unlikely Divide Between Two Maestros
Fashion designer Manish Malhotra has been an integral part of the Indian entertainment industry for over three decades, shaping the looks of countless blockbuster films. He has frequently worked with the country’s top directors, yet one major filmmaker remains a notable exception: Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Bhansali, known for his unique cinematic style, which is defined by grandeur and opulence—qualities Malhotra’s designs also embody—has not collaborated with the designer since his debut film, over 30 years ago. This long gap is particularly striking considering their shared aesthetic of extravagance.
Manish Malhotra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali have not partnered on a film project in 29 years.
Manish Malhotra Addresses the ‘Camp’ Allegation
Appearing on the chat show Two Much With Kajol and Twinkle, alongside actor Sonakshi Sinha, Malhotra addressed this long-standing industry curiosity. When hosts Kajol and Twinkle Khanna brought up his extensive list of collaborators, Kajol pointed out his exception with Bhansali.
Malhotra confirmed their history: “I did only one film, Khamoshi. After that, we never worked together.” That film, Khamoshi: The Musical, released in 1996, was Bhansali’s directorial debut. Since then, Bhansali has directed nine subsequent films and the web series Heeramandi.
Discussing the reason for their post-Khamoshi professional separation, Malhotra revealed the core issue:
“I think once somebody asked him that and he always thought I was very friendly with Karan Johar and Adi (Aditya Chopra), in that group kind of thing.”
Confronting the Perception
Malhotra shared that he later confronted the renowned director about this limiting perception. He told Bhansali, “Sanjay, I am a professional and I can work with so many different actors.” However, he ultimately concluded that some collaborations are simply not destined to be: “Yes, but sometimes some things just don’t happen, and then you just make your own path.”
A Look Back at Malhotra’s Career
Manish Malhotra’s illustrious career began with modelling in the 1980s. He then transitioned to becoming a stylist for Divya Bharti in an unreleased film in 1989. His debut as a costume designer came with Swarg in 1990, paving the way for designing memorable costumes in iconic films such as Rangeela, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Veer-Zaara, and Enthiran.