Devdas, Ram-Leela and more: 5 movies that interpret Sanjay Leela Bhansali's breathtaking visual universe

Think of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the first word that comes to mind is grandeur. The riot of colours, the extravagant sets and a story seeped in rich history, Bhansali's world is synonymous with an almost fairy tale existence - spectacularly appealing and a treat for the senses. As his magnum opus Bajirao Mastani completes 7 years, here's taking a look at some of best visual delights on screen

Italy returned Sameer falls in love with his music guru's daughter Nandini. As a knee-jerk reaction, Nandini's parents get her married to the morally upright lawyer Vanraj, who on learning of his wife's affair decides to reunite her with her lover. The movie, the only big outing of former lovers Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan also starred Ajay Devgn and is considered as one of the best musical dramas in the last couple of decades.

Based on eponymous 1917 novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Devdas is the story of the titular character who slips into alcoholism after his wealthy family refuses to accept his relationship with his childhood love, a lower caste girl named Paro. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit, Devdas is still remembered for its grand sets and the iconic song Dola Re Dola, considered a casting coup back then.

Starring real-life pair, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, Goliyon Ki Rasleela, Ram-Leela is the story of Ram and Leela, who despite their family's animosity, spread over five centuries, do the unthinkable and fall in love, leading to mayhem and bloodshed. Set in the fictional town of Ranjhaar in Gujarat, the movie became popular for the sizzling chemistry between the lead pair and the almost painting like story telling on screen.

The heroic Peshwa Bajirao, while being married to the dutiful Kashibai, falls in love with warrior princess Mastani. Even as his conservative family opposes the union, Bajirao and Mastani vow to cross many hurdles in order to make their love triumph. Starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, the movie turned out to be a visual spectacle with picture perfect costumes and elaborate dance sequences.

The movie remained in the eye of storm ever since it was shot, eventually delaying its release by a whole year, with an innumerable number of edits. Regardless, the movie is a visual delight, as it tells the story of Queen Padmavati, happily married to Mewar Maharawal Ratan Singh, who decides to perform jauhar (self-immolation), rather than turn herself into the hands of evil Khalji ruler, Alauddin Khalji. Starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, the movie's highlight remains the jauhar sequence, shot brilliantly by Bhansali.