Did you know Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Khamoshi: The Musical has an English adaptation? Deets Inside

Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the maestro of Indian cinema, has always been known for creating visually rich and emotionally resonant films. From Devdas gracing Cannes to Padmaavat making international box office waves and Heeramandi dominating Netflix charts, Bhansali has consistently brought Indian stories to the global stage. But long before these epic spectacles, his directorial journey began with a quietly powerful film—Khamoshi: The Musical (1996).

Set in a deaf-mute household in Goa, Khamoshi follows the story of Annie, a girl blessed with the gift of music, caught between her world of sound and her parents’ silent universe. It was a poignant, heartfelt narrative about love, sacrifice, and self-expression, delivered with sensitivity and soul. Though it didn’t set the box office on fire upon release, Khamoshi earned critical acclaim over the years and is now hailed as one of Indian cinema’s most emotionally profound musicals.

What many may not know is that Khamoshi has influenced not just one, but two international films. The French-Belgian movie La Famille Bélier (2014), and its English-language adaptation CODA (2021), both mirror the central theme of a hearing daughter in a deaf family aspiring to become a singer. While CODA is officially based on La Famille Bélier, the emotional DNA traces back unmistakably to Bhansali’s debut.

CODA, released on Apple TV+ and directed by Sian Heder, became a global phenomenon. Despite its modest $2.2 million box office against a $10 million budget, it captured hearts and swept major accolades—including the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2022. In its essence, the film carries the same soulful conflict Bhansali brought to Indian screens decades earlier.