An easy and cost effective route for mass production of graphene nanosheets (GNSs) is an essential requirement for design of different sensors, conductive composites and future nanoelectronic devices. Scalable and large area GNSs were synthesized by a thermal treatment of a graphite–ionic liquid crystal composite as a starting material. This composite was heated in a furnace with a flow of argon gas at 700 °C for 1 h. Intercalation of ionic liquid crystals between graphite layers, their decomposition and evolution of gases assist in exfoliation of graphite and separation of layers. The proposed method extends the scope for production of high-quality, high-yield, unoxidized and defects free GNSs for a wide range of applications. The ability to produce bulk GNSs from a graphitic precursor with an easy and relatively low-cost approach can propel us to real-world applications of GNSs.