At the 77th Republic Day Parade 2026, Indian cinema achieved a historic milestone when celebrated filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali presented a special tableau under the theme Bharat Gatha. Curated in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the tableau celebrated cinema as an integral part of India’s storytelling tradition, connecting folklore, epics, theatre, music, and modern films.
Bhansali expressed his pride, stating, “I felt deeply honoured to represent Indian cinema and the creator community at the Republic Day Parade… 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.” The tableau highlighted cinema’s role in carrying Indian stories, values, and emotions across generations and geographies.
This historic event coincides with Bhansali’s upcoming projects. He is co-producing Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur starrer Do Deewane Seher Mein, directed by Ravi Udyawar, set for theatrical release on February 20, 2026, and featuring actors Ila Arun, Joy Sengupta, Ayesha Raza, Sandeepa Dhar, Viraj Gehlani, and Naveen Kaushik. Bhansali is also directing the romance-drama Love and War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.
The Bharat Gatha tableau at Kartavya Path not only celebrated cinema as art and entertainment but also as a powerful medium of cultural storytelling, marking a proud moment for the Indian film fraternity on the national stage.
