Ajay Devgn to Ramesh Sippy: Directors making a comeback in Bollywood

As Aditya Chopra announces his directorial comeback after seven years, we look at some other makers who are also set to return to the director’s chair after a long break.

Aditya Chopra announced his return to the director’s chair recently with his “happiest” film, Befikre. It will be after 8 years that Aditya is back to directing films. Besides the 44-year-old producer-director, a number of other film-makers, too, are set to make their comebacks as directors in the near future. While Sooraj Barjatya is getting back to direction after Vivah (2006), with the Salman Khan-starrer, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn will helm Shivaay, after his 2008 directorial venture, U Me Aur Hum. Similarly, Meghna Gulzar has directed Talvar after eight years. Veteran film-maker Ramesh Sippy will make his comeback with Shimla Mirchi. Vipul Shah will do the same with the Akshay Kumar-starrer, Namastey England.

Filmmaker Aditya Chopra (PTI)

Aditya Chopra
The last time Aditya Chopra stepped behind a camera was in 2008, when he directed the blockbuster, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Seven years after making the romcom, the filmmaker is now set to get back to direction. Last Sunday, on the eve of his father, late filmmaker Yash Chopra’s 83rd birth anniversary, he announced his next venture, Befikre. Interestingly, in a self-confessed “imaginary conversation” he had with his father, Aditya revealed that this film will be his “happiest”, “youngest” and “riskiest” one.

The Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) director went on to say that he wanted to free himself from the burden of the box office. “I don’t want to keep trying to better my numbers. I want to make what makes me happy, and I am sure if I do that well, the numbers will follow,” he added.
Time Gap: 8 yrs
Last film: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)
Upcoming directorial: Befikre (2016)

After a stint in full-time motherhood, Meghna Gulzar is returning with the crime-thriller Talvar, ready to wield the double-edged sword.

Commenting on her return with Irrfan Khan-Konkona Sen-starrer Talvar, Meghna says, “Personally, I don’t like the term, ‘comeback’. I was away on a maternity break, and was busy raising my son. When I felt that he is old enough and that staying away won’t affect his upbringing and life, I decided to get back to making films, which I absolutely love.”
Time Gap: 8yrs
Last film: Just Married (2007)
Upcoming directorial: Talvar (2015)

Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn

Since 2008, Ajay Devgn has been busy with his acting assignments. However, the actor says that he enjoys direction and is set to get back with Shivaay. “I feel more comfortable when I am behind the camera. It comes to me easily, because as a child, as a technician’s son (he is the son of action director Veeru Devgan), I have worked a lot on the other side,” he says.
Time Gap: 8 yrs
Last film: U Me Aur Hum (2008)
Upcoming directorial: Shivaay (2016)

Sooraj Barjatya

Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) was the first time Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan worked together.

Sooraj Barjatya usually likes maintaining a gap between his films. This time, he is making Prem Ratan Dhan Payo after nine years. “He likes to direct a film when he has something to say. He only gets behind the camera when he believes in something, and when he knows that his film can make a difference to society,” says Salman, who has been directed by the filmmaker in several movies like Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) and Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994).
Time Gap: 9 yrs
Last film: Vivah (2006)
Upcoming directorial: Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

Vipul Shah

Vipul Shah with Akshay Kumar.

Like Sooraj and Salman’s association, Vipul Shah’s collaboration with Akshay Kumar is also well-known. The film-maker is set to make a movie with the actor again. Vipul says, “What has worked for Akshay and me has been our constant endeavour to do something new — be it our stories, our characters or our films. When we take up something new, it keeps us on our toes, and we make sure we deliver our best.”
Time Gap: 6 Yrs
Last film: Action Replayy (2010)
Upcoming directorial: Namastey England (2016)

Ramesh Sippy

Filmmaker Ramesh Sippy and his wife Kiran Sippy during Golden Jubilee celebration of hotel Sun and Sand in a file photo from November 24, 2012 in Mumbai.

Next year will also see Sholay (1975) director, Ramesh Sippy, return to direction after a gap of over two decades. However, he is yet to reveal any details about his project. “I am very excited, but it’s too early to talk about the film,” he says.
Time Gap: 21 yrs
Last film: Zamaana Deewana (1995)
Upcoming directorial: Shimla Mirchi (2016)