Calling the shots

Now this is a list with several surprises. Sure, you do see some of the usual suspects (Karan Johar, for instance, still goes strong though his last film was My Name is Khan, and Aditya Chopra’s last was Rab Ne Bana De Jodi), but essentially, this is a list of new names.

Now this is a list with several surprises. Sure, you do see some of the usual suspects (Karan Johar, for instance, still goes strong though his last film was My Name is Khan, and Aditya Chopra’s last was Rab Ne Bana De Jodi), but essentially, this is a list of new names.

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You’d expect to see Sanjay Leela Bhansali here, instead we have Rohit Shetty. We’d expect choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan, but we got her brother Sajid. And most surprising of all is Prabhu Deva. What’s the actor/dancer doing on this list of directors? Ask Rowdy Rathore!

Karan Johar

Industry vintage: 14 years

Biggest hits: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, My Name Is Khan

Director Karan Johar

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai: Rs 50.6 cr

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham: Rs 62.82 cr

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: Rs 55.3 cr

My Name Is Khan: Rs 82.51 cr

Total: Rs 251.2 cr

Expert opinions

Trade pundit Vajir Singh: What can you say about a person who made his debut with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and followed it up by bringing three superstars under one roof, and giving them parallel roles in Kabhie Khushi Kabhi Gham. Only Karan can pull that off.

Actress Priyanka Chopra: He has the vision to make films in any genre. Kudos to Karan for being capable of doing that.

Raju Hirani

Industry vintage: 24 Years

Biggest hits: MunnaBhai MBBS, Lage Raho MunnaBhai, 3 Idiots

Net Box-office collections

MunnaBhai MBBS: Rs 20 cr

Lage Raho Munna Bhai: Rs 71 cr

3 Idiots: Rs 202 cr

Total: Rs 293 cr

Expert opinions

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh: His films have a sincere and believable message along with entertainment. He is the only director to have delivered Rs 202 crore at the box office, which is the highest so far in terms of collections within Bollywood.

Actor Aamir Khan: Raju is a fantastic director. He is one of the best filmmakers I have ever worked with. He has a very clear vision of his film. He doesn’t get distracted. His commitment and passion is complete and you can see the joy he has in working.

Farhan Akhtar

Industry vintage: 11 years

Biggest hits: Dil Chahta Hai, Don, Don 2

Net Box-office collections

Dil Chahta Hai: Rs 15 cr

Lakshya: Rs 23 cr

Don: Rs 51 cr

Don 2: Rs 110.7 cr

Total: Rs 199.8 cr

Expert opinions

Vajir Singh: He is a smart storyteller and a brilliant technician. His first film Dil Chahta Hai established his ace as a director. Don was the remake of a cult film, which he turned around, making it look classy and contemporary. The car and chase scenes in Don 2 are of international caliber. He is currently a sought-after director.

Actress Priyanka Chopra: He knows exactly what he wants, right from the vibe to the look of his films. His action and stunt sequences in Don are extremely are well shot.

Rohit Shetty

Industry vintage: Nine years

Biggest hits: Golmaal, Golmaal Returns, Golmaal 3, Singham and Bol Bachchan

Net Box-office collections (last five films)

Sunday: Rs 21 cr

Golmaal Returns: Rs 51.50 cr

All The Best: Rs 44.6 cr

Golmaal 3: Rs 108 cr

Singham: Rs 100.7 cr

Total: Rs 325.93 cr

Expert opinions

Vajir Singh: Rohit Shetty is the only director who doesn’t take singular credit for his films. The credit roll says ‘A film by Rohit shetty and team’. There is positivity on his sets, so his crew members give their best.

Actor Asin: Rohit does accept suggestions but still prefers to stick to the script and likes to rehearse everything precisely.

Prabhu Deva

Industry vintage: Four years

Biggest hits: Wanted, Rowdy Rathore

Net Box office collections

Wanted: Rs 63 cr

Rowdy Rathore: Rs 129 cr

Total: Rs 192 cr

Expert opinions

Vajir Singh: Both Wanted and Rowdy Rathore are remakes. There is something called heroism that works in films, Bollywood steered away from that for a while, but the south film industry still believes that a hero is macho and can beat 10 people at the same time. Whichever film Prabhu Deva makes, his leading guy will look like a hero. And as long as the audience is happy, this formula will continue to work.

Actor Sonakshi Sinha: He knows the pulse of the masses and how to cash in on it. Few people can do that. He is intelligent, calm and brings out the best in his actors

Sajid Khan

Industry vintage: Five years

Biggest hits: Heyy Babyy, Housefull, Housefull 2

Net Box-office collections

Hey Babyy: Rs 47.8 cr

Housefull: Rs 75.63 cr

Housefull 2: Rs 109.08 cr

Total: Rs 232.5 cr

Expert opinions

Vajir Singh: Sajid Khan has a 100 per cent success rate. He makes money for the movie industry. He sticks to commercial cinema and the audience goes to watch his films.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala: I first started working with him because he’s a friend and brother. After that, he delivered successful films back-to-back. Sajid’s knowledge and love for cinema from the time he was born makes him a good director. It’s in his blood.

Aditya Chopra

Industry vintage: 17 years

Biggest hits: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge, Mohabbatein, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Net Box office collections

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge: Rs 60 cr

Mohabbatein: Rs 33 cr

Rab Ne Bana di Jodi: Rs 87 cr

Total: Rs 180 cr

Expert opinions

Vajir Singh: He has ably taken forward his father Yash Chopra’s legacy. As a producer, he has the knack of selecting the right talent and making films with a small budget. No one else makes a loss.

Actor Anushka Sharma: Very early in my career Aditya Chopra showed the confidence he had in me, and the faith he had in my abilities to perform. It is because of him that I stand where I do in the industry today.