MUMBAI: Bollywood’s most opulent filmmaker, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is coming to a television screen near you, with his latest endeavour: a grand TV serial called ‘Saraswatichandra’.

The man behind cinematically visual gems like ‘Saawariya’ and ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ is now foraying into television, with his big-budget production of a Gujarati play, also titled ‘Saraswatichandra’. We spotted the filmmaker’s favourite actress Rani Mukerji at an event in FilmCity in Mumbai, to launch his new TV soap opera.

Rani Mukerji looked the part of the quintessential Bollywood style diva in a red sari with a black border, as she unveiled the first look poster of ‘Saraswatichandra’. The event saw Rani stand firmly beside her mentor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who was clad in a royal blue bandhgala, befitting the occasion. Also present were the soap’s lead pair Gautam Rode and Jennifer Winget, in traditional attire. Actress Monica Bedi also graced the occasion.

Rani Mukerji spoke of her mentor and favourite director, when she said, “He is a good friend and I will always be there for him. He is my favourite director. This is his debut on television and I am here to give him the best wishes.”

Bhansali, always a man of very few words, did manage to tell us why he’s happy translating his vision onto the small screen, instead of a film. “I am happy to bring this show on TV as I always wanted to do it. We have been working on this for close to one year.”

At the stylish TV serial launch, we witnessed a host of dancers performing to popular songs from Bhansali’s films like ‘Devdas’, ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Saawariya’, in line with the theme of the serial; which was opulence and grandeur. ‘Saraswatichandra’ will go on air from February 25 onwards, on Star Plus.