Sanjay Leela Bhansali's grand launch pad for niece Sharmin Sehgal

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has set the stage for his niece Sharmin Sehgal to have a dream debut under his home banner. The film titled Malaal will be directed by Mangesh Hadawale, whose last film was the unreleased Nawazuddin Sidiqqui-starrer Dekh Circus Dekh. And while that film was made on a shoestring budget, Hadawale has considerable funds at his disposal for his second directorial venture. It seems producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali wants to spare no expense in giving the film that quintessential Bhansali feel.

A source from the team says, “Malaal will have all the epic grandeur typical of an SLB film. Sanjay has agreed to produce his niece’s debut film because he sees her potential, not because she is his niece. And he has cast Javed Jaffrey’s son Mizaan opposite Sharmin. The two are already being hailed as a remarkably talented pair, one that’s on par with Ranbir and Sonam, whom Bhansali introduced 11 years ago in Saawariya. Mizaan and Sharmin are already being sought out by other producers who want to cast them.”

Malaal is expected to be the first of a number of productions in which Bhansali will launch newcomers. Next in line after Sharmin and Mizaan are Poonam Dhillon and Ashok Thakeria’s son Anmol, and Padmini Kolhapure’s son Priyank Sharma.

HT16