Sanjay Leela Bhansali's unmistakable trademarks

Image: Collage of Guzaarish

Apart from larger-than-life theatrics, the Guzaarish director loves to add a number of signature touches to all his creations. Take a peek:

Opulent sets
There's nothing simple about a Bhansali creation. Every single frame macroor wide-shot, is a visual poem that depicts the filmmaker's vision with richprops and soaring grandeur. Regardless of where he's shooting, be it a havelior church, the end result is unfailingly resplendent. Even a below par movielike Saawariya boasts of stunning artistry in terms of production design.

Woman on top!

Image: Collage of Rani Mukherjee,Madhuri Dixit, Ashwarya Rai Bachchan and Manisha Koirala

Bhansali's heroines are inspiring women with uncompromising individualityand strong moral fibre. Whether it involves rebelling against their family or breaking social norms, these gritty divas aren't shy of treading the unconventional path. Whether it's Annie in Khamoshi-The Musical, Michelle McNally of Black, Nandini of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Paro and Chandramukhi in Devdas and, in all probability, Sofia from Guzaarish, Bhansali's women are mix of dignity and fortitude.

Color me Red!

Image: Collage of Khamoshi-The Musical, Saawariya, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Guzaarish

Although the filmmaker was ridiculed for overdoing the blue tint in Saawariya, red is the colour he actually swears by. Notice the presence of this passionate hue in every movie of his. At times as a mark of celebration, on others a symbol of intense ardor, it's bold, gorgeous stain is hard to miss. Even in the starkly titled Black, Rani Mukerji slips into a ruby red dress to accentuate the emotion of a tender first kiss.

The Great Bhansali Musical

Image: Collage of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and Guzaarish

Senses play a significant role in making and appreciating music. Bhansali has them in truckloads. Now he's turned composer too. And a impressive one at that. No wonder all his films are so full of delicate melody. With the exception of Black, Bhansali is known to make musicals featuring abundant songs and dazzling choreography. Witness Aaj main upar (Khamoshi), Dholi taro (HumDil De Chuke Sanam), Dola re (Devdas), Yoon shabnami (Saawariya); the list just goes on.

Victims of melancholy

Image: Collage of Guzaarish, Black, Saawariya and Devdas

Seema Biswas is unable to get over the loss of her young son (Khamoshi-TheMusical). Aishwarya Rai is unhappy in a loveless marriage (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam). Shah RukhKhan takes to alcohol after losing his childhood sweetheart to his ego and another man (Devdas).

Amitabh Bachchan is a grumpy mix of lonely, bitter and disenchanted (Black). Sonam Kapoor is gloomy in the anticipation of her mysteriously missing boyfriend (Saawariya). Hrithik Roshan sees no point in living after a tragic accident (Guzaarish). Get the drift, there's always an element of sadness in one of Bhansali's pivotal protagonists. It's like he's unwilling topaint an entirely rosy picture.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Image: Collage of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Rani Mukherjee

If it's Bhansali, she's got to look classical. Considering his fascination with shringar as an expression of feminism, it's no surprise most actresses endup looking their best-ever in his movies. Witness Madhuri dripping in ornate gold or Ash sparkling with scarlet lips, you'll get the drift.

Boys do cry!

Image: Collage of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Black and Devdas

Unlike other Bollywood flicks that go out of their way to portray theirhero as a certified macho man, Bhansali lets his men shed tears by the bucket. From Nana Patekar in Khamoshi, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam to Ranbir Kapoor in Saawariya, they've all sulked, sighed and sobbed.

Welcome to my church!

Image: Collage of Black and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Devdas didn't have a scope for one if not Bhansali is more than happy to stage a sequence in or outside a church in pretty much all his movies. If Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Black has it as the venue for some of its most crucial scenes, the opening of Saawariya is marked by the dingdong of church bells.

Songs about the moon

Image: Collage of Devdas and Saawariya

There's something about the moon and its serene radiance that Bhansali just can't get enough of. That ought to explain why every second movie features amellifluous ode to the shiny satellite. Namely, Chand chuppa badal mein (HDDCS),Woh chand jaisi ladki (Devdas), Yun shabnami pehle nahi thi chandni (Saawariya)and now Chand ki katori (Guzaarish).