Actresses Aditi Rao Hydari, Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha and Richa Chadha on Saturday dropped behind-the-scenes pictures with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali from the sets of the upcoming Netflix series Heeramandi: The Diamond Market to wish the latter on his birthday.
“Happy birthday my dearest Sanjay sir. Thank you for the unending inspiration, your mind, your heart, for never ever allowing us to give up,” Aditi wrote on Instagram, sharing two pictures including one that captures the actress and a director in a candid moment.
“Thank you for your fierce passion, the endless beauty, the detail, the laughter, the music, the dancing, the yummiest ghar Ka nashta which is like an Akshay patram. And most importantly, thank you for your love and belief. May you always be surrounded by all that you love and all the people who love you. Love you sir,” the actress, who had collaborated with Bhansali in the film Padmaavat, further wrote.
Manisha Koirala, who is also part of the cast for Heeramandi, penned a heartfelt birthday note for Bhansali. She praised him as one of the greats in Indian cinema and expressed her pride in witnessing his journey.
“Happy birthday dear #sanjaybhansali who is clearly amongst the greats in Indian cinema!! I had seen the spark in the beginning but no one could tell at what heights you would reach! Still the journey continues…So very proud of you my dear friend,” her post read.
“While working with you I was mesmerized with all the qualities I witnessed, your precision & attention to details and your grand vision or your sense of aesthetics & beauty… you live for cinema 24/7 but to top all that your simple lifestyle… juxtapose to grand films you make!! You are an artist par excellence!! Here's wishing you the best in everything you do.. #herramandi and more 💐🍾🫶,” the Khamoshi actress added.
Sonakshi Sinha also had words of praise for the filmmaker. “Chamakte aap ho, chamkaate humein ho… happy birthday to the Asli Heera of #HeeraMandi, Sanjay sir 💎 Love and Respect always, From your AsliSona ✨,” she wrote on Instagram.
Richa Chadha penned a heartwarming note for the director as well. “Dear Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I can describe my life as an actor by dividing my career into two parts… pre-SLB and post SLB! What can I even say about you ? 🩷We know how we feel. We know the point where our ideas meet mid-air and give birth to magic… no words are uttered, the set looks on… but a gaze is exchanged and a new character is born each time, a character that will outlive both you and me… and that is your love-soaked, moist-eyed gift to the world. I love you❣,” the Fukrey actress wrote on Instagram alongside a photo from the sets of Heeramandi.
Malaal actress Sharmin Segal, who will also be featuring in Heeramandi, extended her wishes to Bhansali too. “Happy Birthday to my Biggest Inspiration, most solid support system, best teacher and toughest critic. I am who I am because of you.
Sharmin, who had assisted Bhansali on projects like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and Bajirao Mastani, further said that it was her privilege to have worked with him. “Every project I have worked on my respect for you increases 10x, because you are constantly trying to improve yourself in all aspects,” she wrote.
Bhansali's production house also took to social media to honour the filmmaker. They shared a video of his cinematic journey along with a caption that read, “Celebrating the visionary director and a master storyteller who brought incredible stories and iconic characters to life! Happy Birthday #SanjayLeelaBhansali”.