Bhansali Productions signs Grahan director Ranjan Chandel for historical epic

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently busy with the final schedule of his directorial venture, Love & War, but his production house continues to expand its slate. Bhansali Productions has now signed director Ranjan Chandel for a historical epic, adding to an already busy lineup that includes a Madhubala biopic and a mythological jungle adventure starring Dhanush.

Details about the new project are being kept under wraps, though sources indicate that the writing is complete. The team is reportedly waiting for Bhansali to finish Love & War and review the project before moving into the casting stage. Production is planned for the first half of 2027.

The collaboration marks a departure for Chandel, who is known for grounded, realistic narratives that blend crime, politics, and romance. Bhansali Productions, in contrast, is associated with lavish, visually rich dramas on a large canvas. The film has been in development for a year, with Chandel working closely with Bhansali on the script.

Chandel is best known for directing the critically acclaimed crime series Grahan, based on Satya Vyas' novel Chaurasi. He has also directed the romantic action-drama Bamfaad and the Vikrant Massey-starrer The Sabarmati Report. He has previously worked with Anurag Kashyap as an assistant director on Raman Raghav 2.0 and as a co-writer on Mukkabaaz.

Before starting pre-production on the Bhansali project, Chandel is set to direct the fourth season of ZEE5's crime drama Rangbaaz, which is currently shooting in Bhopal. Meanwhile, Bhansali is shooting the final schedule of Love & War at Royal Palms in Goregaon. Once that wraps, the location is expected to be used for the Madhubala biopic, which goes on floors in October with Sara Arjun in the lead. The Dhanush-led mythological adventure is slated to begin production in February 2027.