Indian cinema takes centre stage at 77th Republic Day Parade; Sanjay Leela Bhansali ‘deeply honoured’

sanjay leela bhansali

• Sanjay Leela Bhansali co-created a cinema-themed tableau for Republic Day Parade
• Indian cinema featured for the first time at the Republic Day Parade
• Tableau showcased cinema as a continuation of India's storytelling tradition.

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At the 77th Republic Day Parade, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, unveiled a distinctive tableau themed ‘Bharat Gatha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti’, marking a landmark moment for Indian cinema on the national stage.

As the tableau progressed along Kartavya Path on January 26, it created history by placing Indian cinema at the heart of the country’s most prestigious ceremonial event. This was the first time an Indian film director represented cinema at the Republic Day Parade, reinforcing the medium’s role as a powerful storyteller of India’s cultural and civilisational legacy.

Conceptualised under the broader theme of Bharat Gatha, the tableau positioned cinema not merely as entertainment, but as a continuation of India’s ancient storytelling tradition — one that has evolved from oral narratives, epics and classical art forms into a global cinematic language. The presentation highlighted how films carry Indian values, emotions and narratives across generations and borders.

Sharing his thoughts, Sanjay Leela Bhansali expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity, calling the collaboration a tribute to India’s timeless stories and the creative community.

Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “I felt deeply honoured to represent Indian cinema and the creator community at the Republic Day Parade under the theme Bharat Gatha. Co-creating this tableau with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was a tribute to India’s timeless stories and the power of cinema to retell them. It reflects the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of taking Indian storytelling to the world and celebrating cinema as one of India’s strongest cultural voices.”

Bhansali’s presence at the parade was widely viewed as symbolic, given his reputation for blending scale, tradition and emotional depth in storytelling. Often compared to cinematic legends such as Raj Kapoor, V. Shantaram and Mehboob Khan, he is regarded as one of the few contemporary filmmakers whose work carries cultural gravitas and rootedness.

Through Bharat Gatha, the Republic Day Parade reaffirmed cinema’s place within India’s larger storytelling continuum — a modern medium preserving the soul of ancient narratives while presenting them to the world.