The Best Film Directors of Indian Cinema
These are the directors born in India, who have made such great movies that their name will live for centuries even when they won't be there.
Some of these are already legends, like Satyajit Ray, Hrishikesh and Shyam Benegal.
Some of these are legends in making and have proved their mettle time again and again like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ram Gopal Varma and Maniratnam.
Some have simply re-defined the Indian Cinema like Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee.
And some of these, though, have only two or three movies to their names like Shojit Sircar and Vikramaditya Motwane, but those two or three movies have assured that these directors will have a great impact on Indian Cinema in future.
The list doesn't boast of any Indian who has garnered fame in Hollywood like Tarsem Singh, M Night Shayamalan, Shakhar Kapur, Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta OR Gurinder Chaddha etc...
PS: I have included only those directors in the list of who's work I have seen. NOM to any fan of some person who is not included in the list.
PPS: I haven't rated them better or best, all of them are great, so please ignore the sequence.
Some of these are already legends, like Satyajit Ray, Hrishikesh and Shyam Benegal.
Some of these are legends in making and have proved their mettle time again and again like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ram Gopal Varma and Maniratnam.
Some have simply re-defined the Indian Cinema like Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee.
And some of these, though, have only two or three movies to their names like Shojit Sircar and Vikramaditya Motwane, but those two or three movies have assured that these directors will have a great impact on Indian Cinema in future.
The list doesn't boast of any Indian who has garnered fame in Hollywood like Tarsem Singh, M Night Shayamalan, Shakhar Kapur, Mira Nair, Deepa Mehta OR Gurinder Chaddha etc...
PS: I have included only those directors in the list of who's work I have seen. NOM to any fan of some person who is not included in the list.
PPS: I haven't rated them better or best, all of them are great, so please ignore the sequence.
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- Writer
- Composer
- Director
Satyajit Ray was born in Calcutta on May 2, 1921. His father, Late Sukumar Ray was an eminent poet and writer in the history of Bengali literature. In 1940, after receiving his degree in science and economics from Calcutta University, he attended Tagore's Viswa-Bharati University. His first movie Pather Panchali (1955) won several International Awards and set Ray as a world-class director. He died on April twenty-third, 1992.- Director
- Editor
- Writer
By no means is he any glamorous director, yet Hrishikesh Mukherjee is one of the most popular and beloved filmmakers in Indian cinema. His magic lay not in the glamor or largeness so often associated with cinema, but in its simplicity and warmth.
He began his career in Bombay, 1951, as an editor and assistant director to Bimal Roy, another great director himself. His first directorial venture, Musafir (1957), centering on an old house where three unrelated stories dealing with birth, marriage and death occur in a series, was a disaster. But director Raj Kapoor was impressed and strongly recommended Hrishida as director for Anari (1959). Starring Kapoor himself and Nutan, the film was a critical and commercial success.
His next film, Anuradha (1960), about an idealistic doctor who neglects his wife to focus on his work, got him the President's Medal Award. But from then on throughout the 1960s decade, none of Hrishida films were particularly distinguishable, barring Asli-Naqli (1962), a Muslim melodrama; Anupama (1966), which was based on a true incident; Aashirwad (1968), a family drama; and Satyakam (1969), about an idealist seeing his dreams crumble after Indian independence.
Then Hrishida made what is considered his masterpiece - Anand (1971). This classic film gave a complex but compassionate look at the balance between hope, fear, life and death and saw Rajesh Khanna's greatest performance as a terminally ill man who wishes to live life to the full before he dies. It was an auspicious beginning to the 1970s, for that time proved to be an exceptionally good time for Hrishida as he gave the public excellent films like Guddi (1971), a semi-satiric look at the film industry and generally considered as Jaya Bhaduri's debut film; Abhimaan (1973), the Bachchans' greatest ever performance together; and Chupke Chupke (1975), a comedy about a newlywed professor's joke on his pompous brother-in-law. These films gave an extremely skilled and detailed look at the middle-class mentality.
Few people understood human nature as well as Hrishida - in all his films he examined their aspects, particularly their failings and foibles and the outworn values people always seem to hold on to. However in the 1980s, the advent of the superstar Amitabh Bachchan and of larger-than-life films saw Hrishida's brand of filmmaking die out. Recently he attempted a comeback with _Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate (1999)_, but sadly it was a futile effort as the film was a commercial and critical failure. However, the magic of his films still lingers after three decades, and he will be best remembered for his film Anand (1971), which told that people who die but remain in heart and mind do not die, but become immortal. No one justifies this truth more than Hrishida.- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Considered to be a man ahead of his time, Guru Dutt was one of the greatest icons of commercial Indian cinema. Although he made less than ten films, they are believed to be the best to come from Bollywood's Golden Age, known both for their ability to reach out to the common man and for their artistic and lyrical content, and they went on to become trend-setters that have influenced Bollywood ever since. But for all his genius, there was a shroud of tragedy that overshadowed his career and life.
Dutt was born in Mysore on July ninth, 1925, the eldest son of a headmaster and a housewife who was a part-time writer. As a child, he had to deal with a strained relationship between his parents, hostility from his mother's family, and the death of a close relative. He received his early education in Calcutta, and in 1941, he joined the Uday Shankar India Culture Center, where he received basic training in the performing arts under dance maestro Uday Shankar. Afterward, in 1944, he had a short stint as a telephone operator.
Dutt entered the Indian film industry in 1944, working as a choreographer in Prabhat Studios. There, he became friends with Dev Anand (whom he met when they worked on the film Hum Ek Hain (1946)) and Rehman Khan. These early friendships helped ease his way into Bollywood. After Prabhat went under in 1947, Dutt moved to Mumbai, where he worked with the leading directors of the time: Amiya Chakrabarty in Girls' School (1949) and Gyan Mukherjee in Sangram (1946).
He got his big break when Dev Anand invited him to direct a film in his newly formed company Navketan Films. Dutt made his directorial debut with Gamble (1951), which starred Dev Anand. The film was an urban crime thriller that paid homage to classic film noir. However, it also carried its own elements that ensured it was not a remake of a Hollywood film: notably, songs were used to further the story's narrative, and close-up shots were used frequently. The film was a success and became a trend-setter for future crime films. On the personal front, Dutt met his wife, playback singer Geeta Dutt (née Roy), during the song-recording sessions of Gamble (1951), and they married May twenty-sixth, 1953.
Dutt's next releases were Jaal (1952) and Baaz (1953). Dutt made his acting debut in the latter film, which he also directed. But while they were average successes, he finally tasted success with Aar-Paar (1954), another crime thriller, but with a far more polished story and look. Then came Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955), a frothy romantic comedy focusing on women's' rights; and C.I.D. (1956), yet another crime thriller in which Waheeda Rehman made her debut.
His next films, Thirst (1957) and Paper Flowers (1959), are regarded as his best work. Thirst (1957) was his masterpiece, about a poet trying to achieve success in a hypocritical, uncaring world. It was a box-office hit and is ranked as his greatest film ever. In contrast, Paper Flowers (1959) was a miserable flop at the box office: the semi-autobiographical story of a tragic love affair set against the backdrop of the film industry was deemed too morbid for the audience to swallow and went right over audience's heads. Although in later years the film received critical acclaim for its cinematography and has gained a cult following, Dutt, who had put his soul into the film, was devastated over its failure and never directed another film.
Although he had sworn off directing, Dutt continued to produce and act in films, notably the period dramas Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962). The latter film, interestingly, is controversial because it is debated whether Dutt had ghost-directed the film. Dutt's personal life had become complicated: he had gotten romantically involved with his protégé Waheeda Rehman and his wife Geeta Dutt had separated from him as a result. Rehman too had distanced herself from him. Also, Dutt, an ambitious person, felt he had achieved too much too soon professionally - there was nothing better to be achieved, and this caused a vacuum in his life. Unable to cope with all the trauma and emptiness, he took to heavy drinking.
On October tenth, 1964, Dutt was found dead in his bed. The cause of death was deemed a combination of alcohol and sleeping pills, although a debate still lingers over whether his death was by accident or a successful suicide attempt. Geeta Dutt suffered a nervous break-down as a result of his death and also took to alcohol, eventually drinking herself to death, dying in 1972 as a result of cirrhosis of the liver.
His death was an irreplaceable loss to Indian cinema. And it was a tragic twist of fate that his films, most of which were discounted in his life-time, would be regarded as cult classics after his death. Guru Dutt would always be known, even if posthumously, as the Guru of Bollywood's Golden Age and one of the world's most important international auteurs.- Director
- Cinematographer
- Producer
Bimal Roy (July 12, 1909 - January 8, 1966) was an Indian film director. He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films such as Do Bigha Zamin (1953), Bandini (1963), Biraj Bahu (1954), Madhumati (1958) which he employed to portray realism. He won a number of awards throughout his career, including eleven Filmfare Awards, two National Film Awards, and the International Prize of the Cannes Film Festival. Madhumati won 9 Filmfare Awards in 1958, a record held for 37 years.He was one of the most acclaimed Indian film directors during 1950-60s, particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films like Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Madhumati, Sujata, and Bandini.
Do Bigha Zamin is still my favorite..- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Mehboob Khan was born on 9 September 1907 in Bilimora, Baroda, Bombay Presidency, British India. He was a director and producer, known for Mother India (1957), Son of India (1962) and The Savage Princess (1952). He was married to Sardar Akhtar. He died on 28 May 1964 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.Mehboob Khan produced and directed many blockbuster films, the most notable being the romantic drama Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling Aan (1951), the dramatic Amar (1954) and the social epic Mother India (1957), the latter of which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1957 and was a remake of his own 1940 film Aurat.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Ritwik Ghatak was born on 4 November 1925 in Dacca, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Dhaka, Bangladesh]. He was a director and writer, known for Reason, Debate and a Story (1974), Musafir (1957) and The Cloud-Capped Star (1960). He was married to Surama Ghatak. He died on 6 February 1976 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.Along with prominent contemporary Bengali filmmakers Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen, his cinema is primarily remembered for its meticulous depiction of social reality. Although their roles were often adversarial, they were ardent admirers of each other's work, and in doing so, the three directors charted the independent trajectory of parallel cinema, as a counterpoint to the mainstream fare of Hindi cinema in India.- Director
- Producer
- Actor
Rajaram has been married twice. His second marriage was to actress Jayashree. Jayashree passed away on the 19th of October, 2004 in Bombay, at the age of 84. Jayashree and Rajaram are survived by their son, Kiran Shantaram, former Sheriff of Bombay, and daughter, Rajashree, well-known former Bollywood actress.Mostly known by the name V. Shantaram, he is popular for his films like Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959), Duniya Na Mane (1937) and Pinjra (1972). He was praised by Chaplin for his Marathi film Manoos. Chaplin reportedly liked the film very much.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Raj Kapoor was the son of well-known Indian actor Prithviraj Kapoor, who acted both in film and on stage. After apprenticing in the Bollywood production studios of the 1940's, at 24 years of age Raj Kapoor produced, directed and acted in Aag (1948), with his new company, RK Films. His next production, Barsaat (1949), was a smash hit. In 1951, he also produced, directed and starred in Awaara (1951), which was another megahit, and costarred Nargis, who had appeared in Aag and Barsaat. Awaara also gained popular acclaim in Russia, where the movie and songs were dubbed into Russian. The theme song, Awaara Hoon, was popular in the East for many years. Kapoor has been dubbed "a great showman," and a filmmaker in the purest Romantic tradition, as he strove to entertain as well as address social themes close to his heart. Awaara dealt with the question of what forms an individual's moral grounding, ("nurture or nature") while incorporating comedy and stirring love scenes; in Shree 420 (1955) he addressed issues of poverty, unemployment and national pride in the new Indian state at the same time maintaining the audience's interest in the romantic plot. While never revolutionary in tone, many of his films explore the ability of the individual to overcome economic and environmental injustice while maintaining his/her innocence and integrity. He is quoted as believing that the individual's struggles ultimately lead to the desire for love, to care and be cared for. This is consistent with his admiration of Charles Chaplin, and Kapoor's own "tramp" (Awaara, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker (1970) is modeled somewhat on his mentor, though with a definite individual flair.
His films demonstrate an understanding of music and direction that continue to influence Bollywood filmmaking today. Also a musician, his understanding of the musical feel of his movies gives them a storytelling fluidity equal to that of the best American movie musicals. He surrounded himself with the foremost talents in filmmaking, acting, writing (Kwaja Ahmad Abbas'), music composition (Jaikishan Dayabhai Panchal, 'Shankarsinh Raguwanshi'), and playback singers, including Mukesh, 'Mohamed Rafi', and Lata Mangeshkar. Kapoor continued to make films of varying critical and popular success up until his death in 1988, and apparently considered Mera Naam Joker his personal favorite. He is still a well-known name not only in India, but in the Middle East, SE Asia, and Eastern Europe. His descendants have attempted to continue the RK Films banner.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Shakti Samanta was born on 13 January 1926 in Burdwan, West Bengal, British India [now India]. He was a director and producer, known for Aradhana (1969), Anuraag (1972) and Amar Prem (1972). He died on 9 April 2009 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.He is well-known for films such as Howrah Bridge, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, Kati Patang and Amar Prem.
He received Filmfare Awards for Best Film for Aradhana, Anuraag and Amanush, which was also made in Bengali, a language in which he made six films, including an Indo-Bangladesh joint production in 1984.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Basu Chatterjee was born on 10 January 1930 in Ajmer, British India. He was a director and writer, known for Sara Akash (1969), Rajnigandha (1974) and Swami (1977). He died on 4 June 2020 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.Through the 1970s and 80s, he became associated with what came to be known as middle cinema or middle-of-the road cinema, with film makers like Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Bhattacharya, whom he assisted in Teesri Kasam (1966). Like them, his films also dealt with light-hearted stories of middle-class families often in urban settings, focussing on marital and love relationships, with exceptions like Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986) and Kamla Ki Maut (1989), which delved into social and moral issues. He is best known for his films Chhoti Si Baat (1976), Chitchor (1976), Rajnigandha (1974), Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Baton Baton Mein (1979) and Shaukeen (1982).- Director
- Music Department
- Producer
Prakash Mehra, Born on 13th July 1939 in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh was a legendary film maker of Indian Cinema, also known as the Godfather of Amitabh Bachchan, a public and media given title, at which he often frowned upon, always clarifying that he was nobody's Godfather, fate introduced talent to talent, and history was created. Mehra started his career and life, literally from scratch, after running away from his home and village, landing up in the city of Bombay In early 1950's. As a kid, aiming for the stars, with just 13 rupees in his pocket, he began his new life, sleeping hungry on railway stations, being his first address in the city of dreams. Destiny and perseverance, guided him to the sets of Hindi cinema, where he began by observing from the sidelines, whilst doing odd jobs, starting from serving tea to the stars, then getting a chance to become a production controller, then an assistant and so on. Mehra who was never formally educated beyond grade 5, in his village school, somehow always had a knack of writing in his broken words and especially penning down his emotions, backed by years of painful experiences of an orphan child who had lost both his parents, (mother who died when he was 5, father abandoned him when he was 8) and grew up on the mean streets. As luck would have it, Mehra's creativity and hard work was not going unrecognized by his peers and seniors, who spread the positive word, finally getting him a break that turned his fortunes in 1968, when he got his directorial debut with Haseena Maan Jayegi starring Shashi Kapoor and Babita. The film which along with its music, became a huge box office money spinner, steered him on to the path of success from where there was no looking back. From here on, he went on to direct Mela (1971), which became a silver jubilee, starring Feroz and Sanjay Khan, followed by another very successful venture, Samadhi (1972), starring Dharmendra, Asha Parekh and Jaya Bhaduri. It was after the success of "Samadhi", that destiny again played a huge hand through a series of events, that lead to a phenomenal collaboration of a director and actor, the likes of which was never seen before in the history of Indian cinema, the Mehra, Bachchan collaboration. In May of 1973, with everything mortgaged, including his home and wife's jewelry, facing the very real possibility of returning to the streets, as it was also the debut of his production house "Prakash Mehra Productions", Mehra released "Zanjeer".
The idea was that "Zanjeer", originally was to be made with Dharmendra as the lead star, after the success of "Samadhi". Dharmendra being the top super star at the time, opted out due to date constraints. This sent Mehra on the quest to find a replacement, and the expectations of the distributors of the time was, that a super star must be replaced by a super star, but fate would have none of it. One by one, due to some reason or the other, it just didn't workout with any of the top stars of the time. Then one fine day, Mehra received a call from the legendary actor "Pran", who Mehra not only respected as a senior and guide, but also genuinely loved and admired, fondly addressing him as "Pran sahab". Pran, asked Mehra, to check out a new kid on the block, whom he felt had talent, his name was Amitabh, also offered to accompany Mehra to a nearby theatre (Ambar Oscar) to watch his latest film, starring the great Mehmood in the lead. The two went on their way to watch the film. The wheels of fortune were set in motion, destiny through the guidance of a blessed soul "Pran", just introduced its super brilliant diamond in the rough, to its super brilliant jeweler with a keen eye. Talent was introduced to talent, Prakash Mehra was just introduced to Amitabh Bachchan.
Upon the announcement of the new hero of Zanjeer, every distributor dropped the film, none would want it. Trade pundits wrote the obituary of Mehra's career, from their point of view, not only was Bachchan, not a star, but a total disaster. Not only that, there wasn't even one song in the film, where the lead hero would sing or dance, this was not only unheard of but almost incomprehensible at the time. Mehra was dubbed senile.
From Mehra's point of view, there was no other star, and this is exactly how the film would be.. This also being the launch of his production house, Mehra had only 2 choices, all or nothing. It was the easiest choice he made, the jeweler knew the value of his diamond. He went all in, he released Zanjeer, with his own money on the line, in most of the major territories.
The movie had an abysmal opening, empty theaters the first few days, Mehra would sit on the wall of Worli sea face in those days and contemplate, "now what"?. Bachchan suffered from a high fever, staring at oblivion himself. Then week two onwards, the phone at Mehra's small office, started ringing, it was calls from exhibitors from Calcutta, it was a phenomenon they had never seen before, there were lines longer than trains at the box office. The same story repeated in various other territories of India, cash registers at the box office went ballistic. Fortune smiled upon the little orphan kid from Bijnor. History was created, and the superstar of the millennium was born.
Thereafter Prakash Mehra and Amitabh Bachchan began a journey, which resulted in 6 more, massive blockbuster hits: Hera Pheri, Khoon Pasina, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Laawaris, Namak Halaal and Sharaabi.
Prakash Mehra was aided In creating cinema history by some of the best talent as part of his team. His blockbusters were a collaboration of super talents and legends of the time, such as music maestro duo "Kalyanji Anandji", who's music compositions are untouchable till date. Lyricists such as the great Anjaan. Mehra himself a powerhouse of writing talent, penning many of his super hit songs, such as "Apni toh jaise taise" from Laawaris, etc.. Later addition, the one and only Bappi Lahiri, who became a permanent part of Mehra's team after giving some of the best chart buster music, in Namak Halal, followed by Sharaabi. The fantastic writing duo Salim Javed were the writers of Mehra's Zanjeer. The super talented Kader Khan, wrote some of the most phenomenal dialogues of Muqaddar ka Sikandar.
Apart from being work colleagues and peers, whom he greatly respected, he considered the late great Amjad Khan as one of his best friends and like family. Same was his relationship with late great Pran, legend Raj Kapoor, music maestro duo Kalyanji Anandji, and Bappi Lahiri amongst others.
The final collaboration between Mehra and Bachchan was Jaadugar, which bombed at the box office and ended their untouchable successful streak, bringing an end to an era of a collaboration, the likes of which were never seen before or since.
Prakash Mehra, went on to Produce and Direct "Zindagi Ek Juaa" starring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in 1991, in 1993 produced Dalal, directed by Partho Ghosh, Starring Mithun Chakraborty in two languages, Bengali and Hindi, along with its music by Bappi Lahiri, it was a huge box office success.
Mehra received a lifetime achievement award from the India Motion Picture Directors Association (IMPDA) in 2006. He also received Lifetime Achievement as Producer from IMPPA (Indian Motion Picture Producers Association) on 19 September 2008.
Mr Prakash Mehra passed away on the 17th of May 2009, from complications arising out of pneumonia followed by multiple organ failure at Mumbai's Kokilaben hospital.Although not the greatest of Indian Filmmakers, in 1973, he produced and directed Zanjeer. This mega blockbuster with Amitabh Bachchan started a relationship that spanned 7 more films, 6 being huge blockbusters (Khoon Pasina, Hera Pheri, Muqaddar ka Sikander, Laawaris, Namak Halal, Sharaabi, Jaadugar). It also launched the career of Bachchan (along with Mehra), as a top director/actor duo, spanning 2 decades of collaboration.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Shyam Benegal was born on 14 December 1934 in Tirumalagiri, Hyderabad State, British India. He is a director and producer, known for Ankur: The Seedling (1974), Bhumika (1977) and Trikal (Past, Present, Future) (1985). He is married to Nira Benegal.With his first four feature films Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976) and Bhumika (1977) he created a new genre called ''Alternate cinema''. He has won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times, which is India's Oscars in real sense.- Producer
- Director
- Additional Crew
Labeled the eternal romantic and with one of the best musical senses in the business, Yash Chopra is arguably India's most successful director of romantic films. Although he made action-oriented films like the ever-popular Deewaar (1975), it is in tackling love and its various aspects that he has been at his best. One of the few remaining commercial Indian directors who started their careers in the 1950s, he has successfully moved with the times from the socially significant Dhool Ka Phool (1959) to the young and cool Dil To Pagal Hai (1997).
Yash Chopra was born in Lahore in 1932, to an accountant in the PWD division of the British Punjab administration, the youngest of eight children. He began as an assistant director to I.S. Johar before working with his elder brother, the legendary B.R. Chopra; while another brother, Dharam Chopra, worked as his cameraman. He was given his first directorial opportunity with Dhool Ka Phool (1959), a melodrama about illegitimacy; it became a hit and even now remains popular today. Encouraged by this success, the Chopra brothers made a few more movies together, the most notable being Waqt (1965), India's first multi-starrer; and Ittefaq (1969), a thriller. On the personal front, Chopra married Pamela Chopra (née Singh) in 1970, and they had two children, Aditya Chopra and Uday Chopra, both working in the film industry today.
In 1973, the Chopra brothers separated, with Yash Chopra founded his studio, Yash Raj Films, and launched it with Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), a successful melodrama about a polygamous man. He then entered one of his best phases with two Amitabh Bachchan classics: Deewaar (1975) and Kabhi Kabhie (1976). These movies set the standard for the 1970s and 1980s, establishing Bachchan as the greatest and most beloved Indian film star of all time. His respective roles--a bitter criminal and a sensitive, brooding poet--are considered to be his greatest performances, although complete opposites of each other.
In the 1980s, Chopra went through a rough time. Two of his melodramas, Silsila (1981) and Faasle (1985); and two action-oriented films, Mashaal (1984) and Vijay (1988), flopped at the box office, although the latter became a critically acclaimed classic years later. However, he made a comeback with his musical love triangle Chandni (1989). The film was a huge success, with great performances by established heroine Sridevi and action hero Vinod Khanna. Then came what critics and Chopra himself considered his best film, Lamhe (1991), a beautiful film about cross-generational love. It couldn't survive the box office, however, due to its incestuous nature.
Parampara (1993), done for an outside producer, was a misfire, but then came the box-office hit and trend setter Darr (1993). Starring the then-débutant Shah Rukh Khan, it showed a sympathetic look at obsessive love and an emotion often overlooked in love--fear--and its success catapulted Khan to super-stardom. In 1995, Chopra turned to production and Aditya Chopra made his directorial debut with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), which had the longest-running initial release in cinema history. He directed one more film, Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), a love story set against the theater, which became a huge success and a cult hit, before he retired from directing. However, in 2004, he made a grand comeback with Veer-Zaara (2004), a touching cross-border love story, which he said would be his last directorial effort.
The ages of the director and playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, his muse, proved you need to be young, as well as crazy, at heart, to be a true romantic....Some of his last movies like Veer-Zara don't match his reputation, but his earlier movies are one of the best for ex. Darr, Lamhe, Mashaal etc.- Producer
- Writer
- Director
Anurag Singh Kashyap (born 10 September 1972) is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter. Kashyap made his directorial debut with as yet unreleased Paanch, with Kay Kay Menon as the lead. As a filmmaker, he is known for Black Friday (2004), a controversial and award-winning Hindi film about the 1993 Mumbai bombings, followed by No Smoking (2007), Dev D (2009), Gulaal (2009), That Girl in Yellow Boots (2011) and Gangs of Wasseypur (2012). As a screenwriter, he wrote the scripts for the Filmfare Award-winning Satya (1998) and the Academy Award-nominated Canadian film Water (2005). He founded his film production company, Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt. Ltd. in 2009.One of the most influential personalities in Indian Cinema today he has gained critical acclaim for movies like Paanch, Black Friday, Dev D, Gulaal & Gangs of Waseypur. Apart from directing these movies, he has written stories for some of the best movies of Indian Cinema like Satya, Kaun, Water & Udaan.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Ketan Mehta is one of the most internationally acknowledged filmmakers from India. He has a received many National and International awards for his well-known films like 'The Rising - Ballad of Mangal Pandey', 'Mirch Masala', 'Maya Memsaab', 'Sardar', 'Holi' and 'Bhavni Bhavai'. Received Best Film on Human Rights for Bhavni Bhavai, Best Film for Mirch Masala at the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award at Locarno for the Ballad of Mangal Pandey.
Ketan Mehta, a graduate in Film making from India's premier film institute FTII (Film and Televsion Institute of India) has more than 25 years' experience in the film industry.
His films have been shown at film festivals across the world and he has been a jury member at many international film festivals.
He has served as a consultant on many Government of India bodies including Doordarshan, Directorate of Film Festivals and is currently a Member of the Board of Directors of NFDC (National Film Development Corporation of India). He has been a Content Producer for ISRO and been involved in their satellite project for a number of years.
He is also the President of IIFW - (Independent Indian filmmakers's worldwide) a global association of Independent film makers and the promoter of Maya Entertainment ltd, India's leading Computer Animation and Digital visual effects studio.Mehta's first film, Bhavni Bhavai, a Gujarati film, won him acclaim. His movies have been selected for various international film festivals such as Nantes (France) and the Moscow Film Festival, where they have won numerous awards over the years. Mirch Masala was one of Mehta's notable efforts, and won him the Best Film Award at Hawaii. It was released to 52 cinemas in the United States. Mehta has also had the honour of serving as a member of the jury in various national and international film festivals.
He did a biopic Sardar, on the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.- Director
- Writer
- Music Department
Dibakar Banerjee was born on 21 June 1969 in New Delhi, India. He is a director and writer, known for Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015), Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (2021) and Shanghai (2012).Godfather of exceptional Low Budget movies, he has earned his special place in Hindi Movie Industry with movies like Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006), Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), Love Sex aur Dhokha (2010) & Shanghai (2012). Indian Movie Industry lacks such filmmakers.- Composer
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Vishal Bhardwaj is an Indian film director, writer, composer, singer and producer. He has directed ten feature films, produced five and composed music for more than forty. His directorial work includes Makdee, The Blue Umbrella, Kaminey, 7 Khoon Maaf, Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola, Rangoon, Pataakha as well as the internationally acclaimed Shakespeare Trilogy - Maqbool, Omkara and Haider (adapted from Macbeth, Othello and Hamlet, respectively). Prominent films written and produced by him are Ishqiya, Dedh Ishqiya and Talvar (based on the Noida double murder case).
He has received 3 international awards: Makdee (2002) received the Best Film award at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, Omkara (2006) won the Best Artistic Contribution in Cinema award at the Cairo International Film Festival and Haider (2014) won the People's Choice award at the Rome Film Festival. He has also received 7 National Awards: Best Music Direction for Godmother (1999), Best Children's Film for The Blue Umbrella (2005), Special Jury Award for Omkara (2006), Best Music Direction for Ishqiya (2010), Best Dialogues and Best Music Direction for Haider (2014) and Best Screenplay for Talvar (2015).He is one of the most talented filmmakers in India with a great sense of music because he started as composer in the Hindi film industry. An allrounder in true sense because he has been successfull in all roles - Director, Writer, Screenwriter, Producer, Music composer and Playback singer. Using Shakespeare's novels for Indian Movies not an easy task and he has done so incredibly well in movies like Maqbool & Omkara.- Producer
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Sanjay Leela Bhansali is among the most celebrated Film Makers of the Bollywood. Having worked with the biggest stars of Indian Film Industry, Bhansali is the most sought-for director of the Bollywood. He started his career as an assistant director to Vidhu Vinod Chopra. If one has to name his 'niche' genre, it would definitely be Mega-Musicals. From Devdas to Bajirao Mastani, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam to Saawariya, love of cinema and music, proclaims through every movie he writes or direct.
His 1999 Romantic-Drama, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, starring heartthrob duo Salman-Aishwarya became one of the most critically cherished movies of the Genre. Amitabh Bachan, starrer Black was equally appreciated by the critics. But he made his presence felt with 2002 adaptation of the Hindi literary masterpiece, Devdas, for a silver-screen experience. He received a nomination for Best Foreign Film at BAFTA for the movie.
Devdas has become a name synonymous with a passionate, intense love that does not find consummation. This similar theme has been repeated numerous time in the literary work. And one of them is Romeo & Juliet. He translated this classic tale into Indian Folk Idiom.Bhansali began his career as an assistant to Vidhu Vinod Chopra and was involved in the making of Parinda, 1942: A Love Story and Kareeb. Debuted with exceptional "Khamoshi: The Musical", he has made some grate movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Black & Guzaarish. Although Guzaarish was inspired by Spanish "The Sea Inside" but nonetheless one of his best works.- Actress
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Aparna Sen is a renowned name in Bengali as well as Indian cinema. She has excelled both as an actor in film and theatre and as a director of parallel cinema.
Aparna was born in 1945 in Kolkata. Her father is film critic and film maker Late Chidananda Das Gupta. She studied at Modern High School and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Presidency College, Kolkata. Her first film appearance happened in Satyajit Ray's Three Daughters (1961) when she was sixteen. Since then, Aparna has acted in many films in lead roles.
In 1981, Aparna made her debut as a film director with 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) which won national and international awards. Since then, Aparna has directed series of films on a wide variety of subjects. Most of her films have been well acclaimed nationally and internationally. Aparna moved to Mumbai and continues to make films in Hindi and English.
Aparna acted in little theatre groups and commercial theatres for a period of time. She was also editor of a popular Bengali magazine (Sananda) for long time.Started her career as an actress, she has made most of her movies in Bengali language. She is the winner of three National Film Awards and eight international film festival awards.- Writer
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The man who revolutionized Tamil-language cinema, Mani Ratnam is the biggest director in south India and one of the most respected directors in all of India. Each of his films contain its own unique style, with beautifully photographed songs and unique back-lighting. However, his films contain substance as well as style--Ratnam has dealt with a wide variety of topics, from the classic Indian love story to political thrillers.
He was born in Madras in 1956. Filmmaking was in his blood; he was the son of film producer 'Venus Gopalratnam' and his brother was G. Venkateswaran, a film distributor turned producer. Ironically, however, he studied at Madras University and received a management degree at the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai, and had initially started out as a management consultant. His first film, Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983), starring Anil Kapoor, didn't make many waves, although it won the State Award from Karnataka that year, but even though he made two films in Tamil and one in Malayalam, nothing worked for him until he broke through with Mouna Ragam (1986). Starring Revathi, the film told the tale of a woman who, although forced into an arranged marriage, chooses to maintain a platonic relationship with her husband. The film was noted for its sophisticated approach and execution of an extremely sensitive topic.
His next film, Nayakan (1987), was also arguably his greatest. A take-off on Francis Ford Coppola' legendary The Godfather (1972), it established Ratnam as the leading director of Tamil-language Cinema and won its leading actor Kamal Haasan the National Award for Best Actor. The film draws on 30 years of Tamil Nadu's celebrity images and directly played to the anti-Hindi feelings of Tamil Nadu when the protagonist, beaten up, tells the Hindi policeman in Bombay, "If I ever hit you, you will die!"
Then came the best of his early work - Agni Natchathiram (1988), Geethanjali (1989), and Anjali (1990). The first was a tale of conflict between two step-brothers. Shot with glossy camera work, the film resembled a cross between an advertisement and a music video, and set a trend for a whole new visual style in Tamil-language Cinema. The next, Geethanjali (1989), shot in Ooty to create a soft and poetic mood, was a touching love story between two terminally ill people with less than six months left. The third, Anjali (1990), about a disabled child brought back to her family with two normal children had been chosen by India to be sent to the Oscars for Best Foreign-language Film, but it did not receive a nomination. The next year saw his first, and only collaboration so far, with the Tamil superstar Rajni Kant in the film Thalapathi (1991). It also starred Mamooty, along side a host of other actor. This star studded film was a gritty tale of an orphan who grows up to become a notorious gang member in Chennai. The story was inspired by the great epic of Mahabharata.
It was Roja (1992) that made Ratnam a household name all over India. A patriotic love story set against the backdrop of Kashmiri terrorism, the film was dubbed in Hindi and became a huge national success. It enforced Ratnam as a director of style and substance, as well as proving a highly auspicious debut for the now-acclaimed music director A.R. Rahman, whom Ratnam had discovered. It helped that India's at-the-time election commissioner T. N. Seshan took the rare step of officially endorsing the film. Thiruda Thiruda (1993), a remake of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) was a misfire, but Ratnam bounced back with Bombay (1995), a politically charged romance between a Hindu man and a Muslim woman during the 1993 riots in Mumbai. The film underwent some controversy due to its slightly anti-Muslim viewpoint, but it contributed widely to the success of the film.
Continuing his political obsession, Ratnam made Iruvar (1997), based on the MGR-Karunanidhi affair, and Dil Se.. (1998), which starred superstars Manisha Koirala and Shah Rukh Khan. The latter was Ratnam's first Hindi-language film. Based on the northeast Indian problem, it told the story of a radio executive and a revolutionary. It had an excellent cast, beautifully crafted scenes, and most of all one of A.R. Rahman's greatest tunes--but did not go down too well with the audience, who hailed it as a strange and confusing film that headed nowhere. However, today it is held as ahead of its time, being that it was shot pre-9/11, and is now hailed as a contemporary classic.
He returned to familiar ground with Alai Payuthey (2000), which tackled the story of a couple in love that goes through the trials and tribulations of marriage. His subsequent film, Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), which told the tale of an adopted girl meeting her terrorist mother, saw Ratnam back in form as one of the greatest storytellers in Indian Cinema. His next film, Yuva (2004), saw Ratnam return to Hindi-language cinema after six years, but in spite of some fine flourishes, the film largely failed to work. However, don't take him too lightly: he is sure to return with something new next time....- Producer
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Mahesh Bhatt was born on 20 September 1948 in Bombay, State of Bombay, India. He is a producer and director, known for Raaz (2002), Zakhm (1998) and Saaransh (1984). He has been married to Soni Razdan since 1986. They have two children. He was previously married to Lorraine Bright "Kiran Bhatt".His early work as director has been exceptional with acclaimed movies, such as Arth, Saaransh, Janam, Naam, Sadak and Zakhm.
He was later the writer of numerous commercial films in a range of genres, from dramas like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and comedies like Duplicate, though he was mostly recognised for thrillers like Inteha, Jism, Murder and Woh Lamhe, most of which are direct rip-offs of Hollywood movies.- Sound Department
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Born in Kampala, Uganda, Shimit Amin moved to the USA at a very young age and soon pursued filmmaking. He made his first film, "Ab Tak Chappan" (56 and Counting) about a group of Mumbai cops who became notorious with their license to kill.
His second film, "Chak De India" (Let's go India!), produced by India's biggest film studio, Yash Raj Films (YRF), was about a team of mismatched female hockey players and gender politics. The film went on to become a critical and box office success in India and worldwide. The film was acknowledged by the Billie Jean King's women's sports foundation.
His third film was "Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year" chronicled the adventures of a young college graduate forced to deal with business ethics. The film was one of the most acclaimed films of 2009 in India.
He was also a director on the BBC series "A Suitable Boy". In his capacity as an Editor, Shimit has worked on Mira Nair's 2012 award winning film, "The Reluctant Fundamentalist". The film opened the 2012 Venice Film Festival.
Shimit is also a highly acclaimed ad-filmmaker and has directed the Glass Grand Prix award winning campaign for Whisper/P&G "Touch the Pickle". He also worked on an award wining commercial for Ariel's "Share the load" which was lauded by Sheryl Sandberg and Melinda Gates. He has shot successful campaigns for Amazon, Facebook, Whatsapp, Oreo, BMW, VISA and Ford.With only three movies up his sleeve, only one of which (Chak De! India) was commerically successful, he has proved his worth. Nana Patekar's Ab Tak Chhappan and Ranbir Kapoor's Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year are considered both actor's best work till now and were criticallty acclaimed.- Producer
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An accomplished and award-winning producer-director-writer-actor-singer, Farhan Akhtar is the ultimate Bollywood multi-hyphenate. Born in 1974 to prolific Indian film writer and poet, Javed Akhtar and writer-director, Honey Irani , Farhan was raised in an environment where creativity and originality of thought were encouraged. This has made him a maverick whose films reflect refreshingly new content that easily strikes a chord with filmgoers.
In 1999, Farhan collaborated with Ritesh Sidhwani, a friend who shared his passion for good cinema, to form Excel Entertainment, a production banner that has become synonymous with excellence in film-making.
Debuting at the age of 26, as a writer, director, and producer with Dil Chahta Hai (2001) a coming-of-age film that has gained cult status, Farhan came to be lauded for his honest, path-breaking writing and his ability to extract mature performances from his cast. The film won Farhan his first National Award for 'Best Hindi Feature Film' along with Filmfare awards for 'Best Feature Film - Critics Choice' and 'Best Screenplay'.
Almost two decades later, this film continues to influence a generation of filmmakers.
Seven years after his dream debut as a writer-director, Farhan debuted as an actor-singer in Rock On!! (2008) Yet another runaway success, the film secured him a second National Award for 'Best Hindi Feature Film' and a Filmfare award for 'Best Debut Performance'.
The dream run continued with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) which released in 2011 to much popular and critical acclaim, winning him three Filmfare awards for 'Best Film', 'Best Actor in a supporting role' and 'Best Dialogue'.
His next, a biopic on Indian athlete Milkha Singh, popularly known as 'the Flying Sikh', was entitled Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013).
He essayed the role with such integrity that it set the standard for other actors considering to play titular protagonists in biopics. Deservingly, Farhan swept all awards that year for 'Best Actor' as did the film for 'Best Film'. It also claimed the National award for 'Best Popular Film providing Wholesome Entertainment.'
His most recent release The Sky Is Pink (2019) premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received a 15-minute standing ovation from the audience at the Roy Thomson Hall.
In addition to his contribution to Indian cinema, Farhan has initiated and supported a plethora of social causes. In 2012, he founded MARD (Men against Rape & Discrimination), an initiative that raises awareness about gender-related issues amongst the youth of India. Recognizing his sustained efforts, Farhan was made the first male UNwomen goodwill ambassador (South Asia) in 2014.
Additionally, Farhan feeds his passion for music by writing, composing and performing live with his band FarhanLive.
His English language debut album 'Echoes' released in March 2019 to critical acclaim.
He has 2 daughters and lives in Mumbai, India.- Director
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Sen is one of his nation's most politically active filmakers. After having studied physics at university in Calcutta, Sen worked as a freelance journalist, a salesman of patent medicines and a sound technician in a film studio. In the mid-1940s he joined the Indian People's Theatre Association and at that time began to read about and study film. The association had links to the Communist Party of India and this heralded the beginning of Sen's involvement with Marxist politics. In 1956 Sen made his debut with Raat Bhore (1956), the first of his 30 (as of 2002) films. Although his first film was openly political, he achieved national status as the director of a comedy, Bhuvan Shome (1969). Influenced by Italian neorealism and the work of fellow countryman Satyajit Ray, Sen used location shooting and non-professional casts in his early films. By the 1970s he was making wider use of symbolism and allegory. Although he remains politically committed, Sen feels that the "difference between party Marxists and a private Marxist like me is that others think they pocketed truth, whereas I am always in search of truth... " Sen's films have won numerous international awards. The Case Is Closed (1982), a scathing look at the hypocritical reaction of a bourgeois Calcutta family to the death of a servant boy, took home the Jury Prize from the 1983 Cannes Film Festival.- Director
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Tigmanshu Dhulia was born on 3 July 1967 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. He is a director and actor, known for Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), Paan Singh Tomar (2012) and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (2011).Started as a Casting Director of Bandit Queen (1994), then became writer [Tere Mere Sapne (1996), Dil Se.. (1998)] and ultimately a director with Haasil (2003), he has been successful in all roles. His recent works Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (2011) and Paan Singh Tomar (2012) has been top notch and at the same time he has shown his acting skills perfectly in Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) as Ramadhir Singh.- Writer
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Rajkumar Hirani is an Indian film director and editor. Hirani has directed five Hindi films, including Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munnabhai, 3 Idiots, PK and Sanju, and all of which have been commercial and critical successes. Most of which have won several awards, including the national awards. Among his awards, include 11 Filmfare Awards. He is the founder and owns the production house Rajkumar Hirani Films.He is a National Award and Filmfare Award winning Indian director, screenwriter and film editor of Hindi films, best known for the films Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) and 3 Idiots (2009), considered the highest-grossing Hindi film by distributor-share. All of his three films are of world class first being my favorite. But I think 3 Idiots is a little overrated. :)- Director
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Sudhir Mishra was born on 22 January 1959 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. He is a director and writer, known for Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), Calcutta Mail (2003) and Dharavi (1992).Started as a Screenwriter for Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron (1983) - the all time best Indian Comedy film, he has went on to direct some of the most critically acclaimed movies like Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin (1987), Dharavi (1991), Main Zinda Hoon (1988), Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin (1996) and Chameli (2003), and his most acclaimed film to date, the 2005 film, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi.- Actor
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His passion for cinema immediately draws your attention, making you realize that Ashutosh Gowariker would not have been anywhere except behind the camera, however tempting the choice. An actor who took to film direction after almost a decade in front of the camera, Ashutosh has acted in Hindi films, Marathi films, television serials and commercials and although the transition from acting to direction was difficult, it was destined.
His diverse exposure as an actor whetted his appetite to helm a project, taking on the directorial reign for the first time with Pehla Nasha (First Love), a murder mystery in 1993. Though the film did not do very well at the box office, it helped Ashutosh find firm ground as a director. He followed this up with Baazi (The Game), a thriller, in 1995, which enjoyed average success, but led Ashutosh on a journey in search of a better script.
With Lagaan, which released in 2001, Ashutosh veered away from most norms in the making of a mainstream commercial Hindi film - a period drama, set in rural India; it's language a dialect; most of its characters were dressed in loincloths; it included a British cast; it was a musical, and a sports film put together! It was produced by Aamir Khan who also starred in it. Lagaan was nominated at the Academy Awards in the Best Film in a Foreign Language category for 2001 and earned plaudits worldwide for its meticulous execution and evocative performances.
His fourth feature film, Swades, was written, produced and directed by him, starring Shah Rukh Khan. The film released worldwide in 2004 to critical acclaim and attained huge success at the international box office.
February 2008 saw the release of his most ambitious magnum opus Jodhaa Akbar, an epic romance. This brought together two of the most respected actors, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The film won the Best Foreign Film in the International Film Festival of Sao Paulo in Brazil, South America and the Grand Prix Best Film and Best Actor in the International Film Festival Golden Minbar in Kazan, Russia, as well as sweeping all of the Indian Film Awards.
His next film saw him take on a new genre with What's Your Raashee?, being Ashutosh's first romantic comedy, based on the Gujarati novel Kimball Ravenswood by Madhu Rye. The film featured Harman Baweja and Priyanka Chopra.
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a period thriller starring Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, based on the book 'DO and DIE: The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34' by Manini Chatterjee.
His last release, Mohenjo Daro, set in the Indus Valley Civilization stars Hrithik Roshan and debutant Pooja Hegde along with a stellar supporting cast including Kabir Bedi and Arunoday Singh.
Ashutosh has now engaged in the filming of his newest magnum opus Panipat, which is slated to release on December 6th, 2019. Based on the legendary third battle of Panipat, which took place on 14th January 1761 between the Marathas and King of Afghanistan, Panipat promises to be his grandest outing yet.- Writer
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Rituparno Ghosh is a Bengali film director. He has won 12 National Film Awards in India and several awards at international film festivals abroad. He began directing in advertising. In 1992, he made a low-key film debut with a children's feature titled Hirer Angti (The Diamond Ring). His second movie Unishe April (19 April), won the 1995 National Film Award Since then, Ghosh has directed Dahan, Utsab, Chokher Bali, Asukh, Bariwali, Antarmahal and Raincoat (in Hindi). He won the National Award for best direction for his bengali film "Abohoman" starring Jishu Sengupta, Ananya Chatterjee, Dipankar Dey and Mamata Shankar in India in 2010.- Director
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Priyadarshan is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has worked in the Hindi and Malayalam film industry for almost 40 years and has directed over 90 films.
He completed his early education at Government Model School in Thiruvananthapuram. He later pursued his bachelor's degree from Mahatma Gandhi College and Master of Arts in Philosophy from University College Thiruvananthapuram. Priyadarshan was a voracious reader, which sparked his interest in writing and led him to write short plays and skits for All India Radio in college.
He began his career in the Malayalam Film Industry in the early 1980s. He started his career as a director with Poochakkoru Mookkuthi (1984) in 1984. The film did surprisingly well and ran for almost 100 days in theatres across Kerala. He continued this slapstick comedy style and later made Oodarathuammava Aalariyam (1984) and Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil (1985).
Later that year, he demonstrated versatility by directing the crime drama Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya (1985). In the same year, Priyadarshan made his first film with Mohanlal titled Punnaram Cholli Cholli (1985).
1988 was a landmark year in Priyadarshan's career. He directed Vellanakalude Naadu (1988) with Mohanlal in the lead role. It was a political satire crime film that revolved around the prevalent corruption in the country. The film was the biggest hit of that year and successfully ran for 200 days in theatres.
Later that year, he directed and released Chithram (1988), his career's biggest hit. The film completed 366 days in the theatres and broke all the records of his previous collections.
Later, these records were broken by his other film, Kilukkam (1991), released in 1991. Kilukkam starred Mohanlal, Revathi, and Jagathy Sreekumar in lead roles. Priyadarshan's next three releases - Abhimanyu (1991), Advaitham (1991), and Thenmavin Kombath (1994) were also commercially successful and ran for 100 days in the theatres.
Priyadarshan actively worked in the Malayalam film industry for almost two decades (the 1980s and 1990s). After this, he took a short break from Malayalam cinema. He then started focusing on Hindi cinema. He worked as a director and screenwriter in Hindi cinema for nearly a decade.
Priyadarshan debuted in Hindi cinema with Muskurahat (1992), a remake of his film Kilukkam. While the movie didn't perform well at the box office, he made a comeback with the action-crime film Gardish (1993), starring Jackie Shroff. The film was a massive hit, earning two Filmfare Awards for Best Action and Best Art Direction.
In 2000, Priyadarshan directed the comedy movie Hera Pheri (2000) starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Paresh Rawal. The movie is an Indian cult classic and is considered one of the best comedy films in the history of Hindi cinema. Priyadarshan's career in Bollywood took off after Hera Pheri (2000), and he went on to direct comedy blockbusters such as Hungama (2003), Garam Masala (2005), and Phir Hera Pheri (2006).
In 2021, he directed the period drama Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021), set in the 16th century. The film, starring Mohanlal, earned Priyadarshan the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.
Priyadarshan has been awarded several state and national awards for his work in Hindi and Malayalam cinema. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics) for Virasat (1997) in 1997 and the Filmfare Award for Best Director in 2009 for his movie Kanchivaram (2008). In addition to his cinema accolades, the then President of India also awarded Priyadarshan a Padma Shri in 2012 for his contribution to Indian cinema.In a career spanning almost three decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 80 films in several Indian languages including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Though he began his career in Malayalam cinema in 1984, Priyadarshan has been mainly active in Hindi cinema for the past decade. Although his best works remain in Malyayalam & Tamil movies, he has directed some of the best comedies of Indian Cinema of 20th century like Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Chup Chup Ke, Dhol, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Hera Pheri is my favourite comedy film.- Writer
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Imtiaz Ali is an Indian film director, actor and writer. In 2005, he made his directorial debut with the film Socha Na Tha. However, it was his second film Jab We Met (2007) that brought him success and fame. His 2009 film Love Aaj Kal gained much critical success, and was declared a super hit at the box office. His movie Rockstar (2011) was also a commercial and critical success. Imtiaz Ali had his origins in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.He was brought up in Patna and Jamshedpur. He had his early education in Patna- D.B.M.S. English school, Jamshedpur,and later attended University of Delhi in Delhi, where he took part in college theater. He started Ibtida the dramatic society of Hindu College. Thereafter he moved to Mumbai and did a diploma course from Xavier Institute of Communication.Started his vareer with off beat rom-com Socha Na Tha (2005), he has given some good movies in romantic genre like Jab We Met (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009) & Rockstar (2011). I am considering him the Yash Chopra of new-age Indian Cinema.- Director
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Prakash Jha is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter who is primarily known for his socially and politically relevant films like Apaharan (2005), Aarakshan (2011), and Raajneeti (2010), among others.
Jha went to Sainik School Tilaya in his hometown of Bettiah in Bihar, India. After finishing his schooling, he attended Ramjas College, Delhi University. During his college days, he went on to work as an assistant manager in a restaurant.
Jha was inspired to enter the film industry after he met an art director during the shooting of the film Dharma (1973). Later, he went on to enrol at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, Maharashtra, to study filmmaking.
He worked on a biographical film called Sonal (1973) in the 1980s, which explored the life of the dancer Sonal Singh. He made another documentary called Faces After the Storm (1981), which was based on the communal riots of Bihar, India, focusing on the incident where Hindu extremists massacred numerous Muslims. However, the award-winning documentary was banned soon after its release.
In 1984, Jha made his directorial debut with the film Hip Hip Hurray (1984), which revolves around the lives of a group of high school students. The film was critically acclaimed and was featured in a book 40 Retakes: Bollywood Classics You May Have Missed.
He founded a cultural society called Anubhooti in 1991 to work on social issues like health care, disaster management, upliftment of the poor, and much more.
His 2001 film Gangaajal (2003) marked a turning point in his career- renowned actors like Ajay Devgn and Gracy Singh were cast in this film.
Jha has received several awards and accolades for his work in the film industry, like the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for Damul (1985), the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay for Apaharan (2005), the apsara award for best dialogue for Aarakshan (2011), etc. He has also achieved great international acclaim for his films like Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016), Parampara (1986), Parinati Parinati (2020) (2020), etc. Lipstick Under My Burkha Lipstick Under My Burkha (2016) (2016) premiered at the Stockholm International Film Festival. Aparahan was the opening film at the Indian Film Festival in Israel.
Jha has also been involved in Indian politics. He started his political career by joining the Janta Dal in the early 1990s. He contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2009 as a Janta Dal candidate from his hometown, Bettiah, in Bihar.He is most known for his political and socio-political films such as Damul (1984), Mrityudand (1997), Gangaajal (2003), Apaharan (2005) and multistarrer hit movie Raajneeti (2010). He is also the maker of National Film Award winning documentaries like, Faces After The Storm (1984) and Sonal (2002). His latest Chakravyuh is based on the life of Naxalites..- Director
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Nagesh Kukunoor was born on 30 March 1967 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. He is a director and writer, known for Rainbow (2015), Iqbal (2005) and 3 Deewarein (2003).Made his first independent film Hyderabad Blues (1998) with just USD 30000 and then went on to make some beautiful films like 3 Deewarein (2003), Iqbal (2005), Dor (2006) & Aashayein (2010).- Writer
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Rajkumar Santoshi is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter of Hindi films. Counted as one of the most successful filmmakers in the Hindi film industry, he has received several accolades,including three National Film Awards and six Filmfare Awards.
Santoshi made his directorial debut with the crime film Ghayal (1990), which won him the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Director. He next directed the thrillers Damini (1993) and Ghatak: Lethal (1996). All these three financially successful films starred Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri and Meenakshi Seshadri; the second of these garnered him a second Filmfare Best Director Award and the latter fetched him the Filmfare Best Screenplay Award as well as a Filmfare Best Director Award nomination. During this period, Santoshi also received praise for directing the comedy Andaz Apna Apna (1994), which though a box office flop has attained cult status, and the major box-office hit Barsaat (1995), that marked the film debut of Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna. In 2000, he wrote dialogues of the average-earning film Pukar which garnered him the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. He followed it by directing two moderate commercial successes-the biopic The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) and the action thriller Khakee (2004)-both of which earned him Best Director nominations at the Filmfare. Santoshi's highest-grossing film release came in 2009 with the romantic comedy Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, in which he also appeared in a cameo role.
Rajkumar Santoshi has finished filming his next directional Badboy.His notable films as director include Ghatak: Lethal, Pukar and The Legend of Bhagat Singh. He won the Filmfare Best Director Award for Ghayal (1990) and Damini (1993), both starring Sunny Deol. Apart from that he is known for directing comedy Andaz Apna Apna (1994) and other movies like Pukar (2000), Lajja (2001) & Khakee (2004) focusing on different issues.- Director
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Madhur Bhandarkar was born on 26 August 1966 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. He is a director and writer, known for Chandni Bar (2001), Babli Bouncer (2022) and Page 3 (2005). He has been married to Renu Namboodiri since 15 December 2003. They have one child.Madhur Bhandarkar worked in a video cassette library in Khar, a suburb of Mumbai. This gave him access to a large collection of movies and he studied film-making through it. After trying his skills with small time filmmakers as an assistant, Bhandarkar landed up as an assistant to Ram Gopal Varma. After two years he directed Chandni Bar (2001) starring Tabu and Atul Kulkarni in the budget of Rs 1.5 crore. The film was a critically acclaimed and box office success, which took Bhandarkar into the top league of filmmakers in Bollywood. He received his first National Award for this film and there on won National awards for his films Page-3 and Traffic Signal. His Movie Fashion (2008) also won National Awards for Best Actress (Priyanka Chopra) and for Best Supporting Actress (Kangna Ranaut).- Director
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Anurag Basu, a Bollywood director and writer explores relationships and adversity on reel. He had his share of tough times when he was diagnosed with leukemia.
Basu directed television serials among which is Tara (1993), which became one of the first soap operas on Indian television. He also directed Balaji Telefilms' Koshish Ek Aasha (1997) and Miit (2002), which was based on Rabindranath Tagore's Noukadubi.
He made his debut in movies with Kucch Toh Hai (2003). It starred Tusshar Kapoor and Esha Deol. The movie wasn't anywhere near a major success. He made movies under the Vishesh Films banner. Saaya (2003) belonged to the supernatural genre about a doctor who communicates with his dead wife through his patients. It starred John Abraham and Tara Sharma.
Murder (2004) was based on Hollywood's hit Unfaithful. It starred Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat. The movie along with it's soundtrack became a big success. During the filming of his next movie Tumsa Nahin Dekhan (2004), Basu was diagnosed with blood cancer. The movie was later completed by Mohit Suri and Mahesh Bhatt.
In 2006, Anurag Basu came back to make Gangster with Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut and Shiney Ahuja. It was supposed to be based on Abu Salem's real life affair with actress Monica Bedi. The movie did well.
It was followed by the critically acclaimed Life in a Metro.
He wrote the screenplays for Gangster, Life in a Metro and Kites and won the Filmfare Best Screenplay Award for Life in a Metro.His latest Barfi! (2012), although inspired by many western classics is his best work till now- Director
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Ram Gopal Varma was born in Hyderabad, the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He initially was a video store owner before eventually becoming one of India's leading film directors. A film buff during his youth, Varma would watch both American and Indian cinema regularly. As a young man, he attended Siddhartha Engineering College in Vijayawada. Varma started his career in telugu cinema (the Hyderabad film industry), where he made a huge mark with his debut film Shiva, a violent and stylized actioner set in a college backdrop. At the age of 28, with little film training, Varma was able to convince Nagarjuna, a young Telugu star, to act in his debut picture. Nagarjuna was drawn by the narration of the script and intelligence displayed by the young Varma. Shiva was a landmark hit for the industry and was remade by Varma in the hindi language a year later.
His next was the exciting adventure film, Kshana Kshanam, starring Venkatesh and Sridevi. Varma followed this up with such films as - Raatri, a homage to 'The Exorcist' starring Revati and Om Puri (which Varma would remake over a decade later in Hindi as Bhoot) and Antham, a stylized crime drama, with Nagarjuna and Urmila Matondkar (which Varma would also rework later as Satya) - but was not able to attain the commercial success of his first feature. His next release Gaayam, with Jagapathi Babu and Urmila Matondkar, was a violent crime drama set in Hyderabad. The screenplay was co-written by tamil film director Mani Ratnam, and the script based on 'The Godfather'. It became a success for Varma. He then decided to start his own production banner, Varma Corporation Limited, and produced successful telugu films such as Money (remade later as Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega), Money Money (its sequel), Gulabi and Anaganaga Oka Roju.
His first huge success in hindi cinema (the Mumbai film industry) was the commercial blockbuster Rangeela, a stylish romantic drama with Aamir Khan and Urmila Matondkar. A.R. Rahman, a tamil music composer, was introduced to hindi audiences by Varma with this film and won the award for best film music.
Varma followed up with the ground breaking gangster saga Satya, a violent crime epic set in the Mumbai underworld. The film was gritty and realistic, reinventing the crime genre in Indian cinema. Varma had done extensive research for the film, and reworked certain elements of his earlier film Antham. Satya was widely considered Varma's first true masterwork. Made on a shoestring budget and with new faces, the film won awards for actor Manoj Bajpai and music composer Vishal Bharadwaj. Satya became a turning point in Varma's career, winning best picture of the year, and Varma would be forever associated with Mumbai noirs.
Varma then, with fellow director Shekhar Kapur, created a joint film production company in 1998 called India Talkies. The first venture of the production house was the ambitious terrorist drama 'Dil Se', with Shahrukh Khan and Manisha Koirala. The film was a box office dud, and India Talkies would be short lived. Varma would return to focusing on his own production house Varma Corp.
The hard hitting masterpiece 'Shool' followed shortly after, written and produced by Varma. The film depicted the life of an honest police officer in the violent and harsh rural setting of Bihar. The film was a commercial and critical success with both Manoj Bajpai and Sayaji Shinde winning awards for their performances. Varma lightened things up next with the romantic drama 'Mast'. The film was inspired by Varma's own college days, and featured Aftab Shivdasani in an award-winning turn as a film crazy college student.
Varma decided afterwards to only direct films in the Mumbai film industry. He believed there was more talent in Mumbai than in southern film cities like Chennai and Hyderabad. Varma had always admired directors such as Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihlani, and Gulzar. He considers Kalyug, Ardh Satya, and Mere Apne among his favorite Indian films of all time. At a time when popular Indian Cinema featured either over the top action films or glamorous love stories, Varma's films were more rooted and realistic. Varma is known to frequently cut out song and dance sequences in his films, which are usually commonplace in Bollywood. His films almost always deal with the contemporary and urban, usually set in the city of Mumbai. He often uses Indian stage actors in his films rather than established bollywood stars. Mainly known for creating the 'Mumbai noir', Varma brought psychological depth and cinematic virtuosity to genre films.
More recently, Varma returned with the organized crime masterpiece 'Company'. The film was again set in the Mumbai underworld, and was based on real life Underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his criminal outfit D-Company. The film featured award-winning performances by Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi and Manisha Koirala. The film also won awards for best editing by Chandan Arora and best story by Jaideep Sahni. The film was lauded by critics and audiences alike.
His latest release Naach, which Varma called his best film yet, was a largely self reflective piece, about the relationship between an idealistic choreographer and an ambitious actor. The film had a weak commercial run but was liked by critics. In a recent interview with the Indian Express newspaper, the filmmaker criticized Indian audiences saying "I gave Ayn Rand to a Municipal School."
He spends most of his time these days producing small budget films for his successful production house Varma Corp. Though not always credited, he is involved in all aspects of his productions, often believed to 'ghost direct' many of the films. He produces films at a fast speed that is unfamiliar to the Indian Film Industry. He has had many recent successes including - 'Ab Tak Chhappan', based on the experiences of famed Mumbai police Daya Naik, 'D', a prequel to his earlier hit Company based on the early years of Dawood Ibrahim during his days under Pathan underworld boss Karim Lala, 'Ek Hasina Thi', a female revenge thriller, and finally 'Road'. He has also produced lighter films such as 'Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega' and 'Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon'.Although some of his movies are just plain ridiculous, but he has given some gems to Hindi Film Industry, such as Company, D, Satya, Sarkar, Sarkar Raj, Rann & Rangeela etc.- Writer
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Sriram Raghavan is an Indian filmmaker who works in the Hindi film industry. He is regarded as a writer of neo-noir thrillers that fall under the action genre. He was brought up in Pune, where he attended St. Vincent's High School. He went to Fergusson College in Pune to study economics.
After finishing college, Raghavan first wished to build a career in journalism. He took up a job at Stardust magazine but moved on to join the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune to pursue a course in direction.
After completing his studies, Raghavan worked on a short feature, Raman Raghav - A City, A Killer. It was based on the crimes of Raman Raghav (a serial killer of Bombay) and his arrest. Raghavan cast Raghubir Yadav to play the character of Raman. The feature was made on a low budget and was never released.
Raghavan later started writing for television serials. He wrote several episodes of Aahat (1995) and C.I.D. (1998). He also wrote and directed an episode in First Kill.
Raghavan's career took a new turn after Ram Gopal Varma liked his work in Raman Raghav - A City, A Killer. and signed him up to direct Ek Hasina Thi (2004). The film starred Saif Ali Khan and Urmila Matondkar in the lead roles. This thriller received positive reviews from critics. It was shown at the New York Asian Film Festival.
Raghavan's next directorial venture was another thriller, Johnny Gaddaar (2007). It was the debut film of Neil Nitin Mukesh. The story revolves around a group of five individuals who want to make a fortune through a shortcut. But things go out of hand suddenly when one of the group members gets killed, and the money he was holding goes missing. Though the film wasn't a commercial success, it succeeded in impressing the critics.
In 2012, Raghavan released his third film, Agent Vinod (2012), a spy thriller starring Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. The story revolves around the secret mission of Agent Vinod to discover the reason behind his colleague's death. The film received mixed reviews from critics and failed to make a mark at the box office.
Raghavan's fourth film was Badlapur (2015), a revenge action thriller that features Varun Dhawan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Yami Gautam in lead roles. The storyline is based on Death's Dark Abyss, a novel written by Massimo Carlotto. The story is based on the theme of revenge and shows a devastated man out to avenge the death of his family. The movie got positive reviews from critics. It also earned him a nomination for Best Director at the 61st Filmfare awards.
Raghavan explored the genre of black comedy in his crime thriller Andhadhun (2018). The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, and Radhika Apte. The movie's storyline revolves around a blind piano player involved in the murder of a former actor. The film earned rave reviews from critics. The worldwide collection for the film surpassed Rs. 450 crores, which made it a huge hit. The movie is also one of Indian cinema's biggest-grossing movies.
Raghavan won several awards for Andhadhun (2018), including the National Film Award 2018 for Best Feature Film in Hindi, IIFA Award 2019 for Best Director, Best Story, and Best Screenplay, and Screen Award 2018 for Best Director and Best Film Writing (Story and Screenplay).While as student of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, his diploma film, The Eight Column Affair, went on win National Film Award in 1987. His first two commercial films Ek Hasina Thi (2004) and Johnny Gaddaar (2007) were critically acclaimed, while his latest Agent Vinod (2012) isn't that good.- Director
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Milan Luthria was born on 28 January 1968 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He is a director and assistant director, known for The Dirty Picture (2011), Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010) and Tadap (2021).Starting his career as an assistant director to Dharmesh Darshan, for Lootere in 1993, Luthria made his directorial debut in 1999 with the action thriller film Kachche Dhaage. After directing sub sub-standard movies like Chori Chori & Deewar, he directed a well scripted & well acted movie Taxi Number 9211 after which all of his movies (Hattrick, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai & The Dirty Picture) were criticlly acclaimed & commercially successful.- Writer
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Born as Mahesh Vaman Manjrekar, Mahesh Manjrekar is an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter, and producer who works primarily in Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, and Bhojpuri films. Manjrekar has acted in several films, including some of his productions. He studied at Don Bosco High School, Mumbai, and then completed his graduation from the University of Mumbai.
He wanted to become an actor since childhood and joined theatre in college. In 1994, he played a role in the Marathi play Aflatoon and has been a part of several other plays like All the best, Dhyanimani, etc.
In his film career span of 20 years, he has worked in 75 films and written and directed almost 25 films. Manjrekar made his acting debut in the Marathi movie Jeeva Sakha (1992), in which he plays the role of Inspector Jamdade. He was also seen in Kshitij Ye Nahi (1992), a Doordarshan Marathi series, where he got the part of a leprosy patient.
Manjrekar became famous with his directorial debut movie Vaastav: The Reality (1999). He also directed films like Nidaan (2000) and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain (2000).
His performance in the movie Kaante (2002) as Raja "Balli" Yadav got him appreciation from the audience and his critics. He played the role of Sultan in the movie Plan (2004). In the same year, he worked in movies like Run (2004) as Ganpat Chowdhury and Musafir (2004) as Lukka.
Manjrekar played the role of Joy Fernandes in Zinda (2006), which also starred Sanjay Dutt. He also appeared in the Telugu film Okkadunnadu (2007) and then in the same year as Mahesh in a role in Dus Kahaniyaan (2007)
One of his most remembered performances is in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008), an Oscar-winning movie in which he plays the role of Don Javed.
Another role that got him appreciation was negative in the movie Wanted (2008), as Senior Inspector Daulat R. Talpade. In 2010 he appeared in Teen Patti (2010) and the movie Dabangg (2010).
In 2011, he collaborated with Aniruddha Deshpande and established his own production company, Great Maratha Entertainment LLP Productions. The first film released under his production house was the Marathi movie Fakta Ladh Mhana (2011).
Manjrekar was next seen in Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011), and OMG: Oh My God! (2012). He was also a part of Mumbai Mirror (2013), Shootout at Wadala (2013), and the Tamil film Arrambam (2013).
Manjrekar has also been a part of Jai Ho (2014), Singham Returns (2014), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Sanju (2018), Total Dhamaal (2019), Saaho (2019), Dabangg 3 (2019) and The White Tiger (2021).
In 2022 he appeared in the Telugu movies Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022) and Mister Mummy (2022).
He has also appeared on several TV shows and serials like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2006) as a Contestant, Maharashtracha Superstar (2010) as a Judge, and Bigg Boss Marathi (2018) as the host in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023. He also appeared as Kismat Bhai in Taaza Khabar (2023).
He ventured into the OOT platform with a Marathi web series, Kaale Dhande (2019) and Forbidden Love (2020).
Manjrekar has won a total of 22 awards and has been nominated for 31 awards. The awards that felicitated Manjrekar for his performances are the National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards, IIFA Awards, Screen Awards, Filmfare Marathi Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Maharashtra State Film Awards, Pune International Film Festival, Marathi International Cinema & Theatre Awards, Maharashtracha Favourite Kon?, Colors Marathi Awards, and Sakal Premier Awards.He is credited with directing the critically acclaimed films Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Astitva (2000) and Viruddh... Family Comes First (2005). He has won a National Film Award and two Star Screen Awards. Besides direction, he has acted in several films including some of his own productions. He first gained acclaim as an actor for his performance in the 2002 film Kaante, and later played negative roles in the Telugu film Okkadunnadu (2007) and as the gangster Javed in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). He played the role of Shivaji Maharaj in Marathi film Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy.- Music Department
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Abbas Tyrewala was born on 6 June 1984 in India. He is a writer and director, known for Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008), Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and Pathaan (2023). He has been married to Paakhi A. Tyrewala since 30 April 2006.After making his mark as a screenwriter and dialogue writer in early 2000s, with award winning films like Maqbool (2003), Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003), he made his debut as a director with a breezy romantic comedy, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008). In 2010 came his "Jhootha Hi Sahi", which is also my favorite.- Producer
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Kabir Khan is presently one of the most sought after Bollywood directors. His beat of cinema is very different from the rest of his league. He comes from documentary style of film making. He is known for his brilliant cinematographic skills. He graduated from Delhi University's Kirori Mal College. He was first noticed for his cinematography in the reputed documentary "Beyond the Himalayas" which released in 1995. The documentary earned significant popularity, and went on to be telecast in Discovery channel too. This movie was directed by the veteran director Gautam Ghose. He made his directorial debut with another famous documentary film "The Forgotten Army" in the year 1999. This documentary was based on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's role in the Indian Freedom Struggle and his Azad Hind Fauj, also popularly known as the Indian National Army. In 2001, Kabir Khan came up with his brilliant work in films like "Taliban years and Beyond" and "The Titanic Sinks in Kabul".
His work and interest on the Taliban and Afghanistan was the cue why he made a film like "Kabul Express" for mainstream Bollywood cinema in the year 2006. The movie performed averagely but he was noticed for his obviously nascent cinematic style.
In 2009, he worked on the movie "New York" which dealt with a topic as sensitive as Islam and Terrorism. Set in the backdrop of 9/11, this movie goes on to talk about the other side of the 9/11 story when Americans retaliated to the attack rather ridiculously. The film fared decently at the box-office.
In 2012, he came up with the blockbuster hit of the year so far, "Ek Tha Tiger". The movie stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, and was scheduled for a Eid release which garnered in a great deal of its audience. The movie has been doing very well. The critics have signed off Kabir's previously journalistic style of directing. It seems to have withered away the Bollywood way under the Yash Raj Films Banner. Trade Analysts still confirm he has merely deviated from his style of work but not lost his previous charm at all.A graduate of Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, Khan started his career as a cinematographer for the documentary film, Beyond the Himalayas (1995) which was directed by Gautam Ghosh and later aired on Discovery Channel. As a director he made his debut with the documentary, The Forgotten Army (1999) based on Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army. These films were followed by The Taliban Years and Beyond, and The Titanic Sinks in Kabul' (2001). Khan later made two Bollywood films, Kabul Express in 2006 and New York In 2009. His latest Ek Tha Tiger isn't comparable to his earlier work but far better than any Salman Khan starrer movie.- Director
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Raj Kumar Gupta made his debut as a writer & director with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful 'Aamir' (2008). Shot with a shoestring budget, guerilla style on the streets of Mumbai, this edgy thriller established Raj Kumar as a filmmaker to look out for and garnered several award nominations in the Best Debut Director category that year. After penning the screenplay of 'Barah Aana' (2009), Raj Kumar Gupta wrote and directed 'No One Killed Jessica' (2011), based on the true story of the murder of Jessica Lal and the controversial trial of the case. This powerful drama featuring Rani Mukerjee and Vidya Balan drew rave reviews and set the box-office ringing. Nominated for several awards including the prestigious Filmfare & Screen Awards in the Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay categories, 'No One Killed Jessica' catapulted the filmmaker into the big league. In 2013, Raj Kumar Gupta shifted gears by surprising his audience with the suspense comic caper 'Ghanchakkar'. Starring Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan, the film drew an extremely divided response from both critics and viewers, but confirmed that the filmmaker wasn't going to play by the conventional rules set by the industry. Raj Kumar Gupta made his debut as a producer in 2016 with a short film titled "Aaba" under his production house Raapchik Films Pvt. Ltd. which premiered at Berlin Film Festival 2017 in the Generation K Plus Category and went on to win the prestigious International Jury Prize for Best Short film in its category.Raj Kumar Gupta made his debut as a writer & director with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful ‘Aamir’ (2008). Shot with a shoestring budget, guerilla style on the streets of Mumbai, this edgy thriller established Raj Kumar as a filmmaker to look out for and garnered several award nominations in the Best Debut Director category that year. Raj Kumar Gupta wrote and directed ‘No One Killed Jessica’ (2011), based on the true story of the murder of Jessica Lal and the controversial trial of the case. This powerful drama featuring Rani Mukerjee and Vidya Balan drew rave reviews. shifted gears by surprising his audience with the suspense comic caper ‘Ghanchakkar’, the best dark comdey coming from Bollywood in my opinion.- Director
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Abhinay Deo was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He is known for Delhi Belly (2011), Game (2011) and Blackmail (2018). He is married to Smita Deo.An Indian Ad Film maker turned Film Director. Abhinay's parents are the veteran actors Ramesh and Seema Deo. Abhinay's first movie was Game (2011), and his second was Delhi Belly (2011) which is amongst the best comedy movies of Indian Cinema.- Writer
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Five feature films, three short films, one web series, six Filmfare awards, an Emmy nomination and India's official entry to the Oscars outlines Zoya Akhtar's unique ability to tell stories that break the conventional norms and create waves globally.
Zoya's directorial journey began with Luck By Chance (2009), followed by Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), and the internationally acclaimed Gully Boy (2019), which have since acquired cult status, and won numerous global awards and accolades. The globally celebrated series Made in Heaven (2019) for Amazon Prime and the international Emmy nominated Lust Stories (2018) for Netflix have further extended Zoya's reach as a universal storyteller. Zoya's most recent directorial, The Archies (2023) is the official adaptation and the first ever feature film of the globally revered Archie comics.
Through Tiger Baby, Zoya has also turned producer - with Made in Heaven (2019), Eternally Confused and Eager for Love (2022), Dahaad (2023), The Archies (2023) and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) already under her belt, and many more exciting projects to come!Zoya Akhtar is a contemporary Indian film director. She made her debut as director with critically acclaimed Luck By Chance (2009). In 2011, she directed the critically and commercially successful film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and won her Filmfare Award for Best Director. Before that she has worked as a casting director for films including Dil Chahta Hai, Kamasutra: A Tale of Love and Split Wide Open, and as an assistant director for her brother Farhan's films, Lakshya and Dil Chahta Hai. She also worked as an executive producer for her longtime friend Reema Kagti's Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.- Director
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After a successful stint on TV, the man has directed one of the most beautiful movie of 2008, Dasvidaniya. He worked again with Vinay Pathak in Chalo Dilli (2011), which was again one of the best comedies of 2011. Will eagerly wait for his next venture.- Editor
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Starting as an Assistant Director in 1989, and as an Assistant Cameraman in 1991, Chandan Arora has trained under veterans in various departments of filmmaking. After branching out from the Star TV Network as Associate Producer for India and the Middle East, Chandan edited his first feature film, Ram Gopal Varma's Mast in 1999. Some of the films he has edited include Kedarnath, Padman, Ki & Ka, Qarib Qarib Single, Jungle, Company, Cheeni Kum, Krrish 3 and multiple Award-Winning film, Fandry. He marked his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon in 2003. He then went on to direct two more films- the Rajpal Yadav-Rituparna Sengupta starer, Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh, and the intense Striker, based on a real life carom champ starring Siddharth. The films were applauded by contemporaries and appreciated by audiences and critics. Chandan is also an accomplished ad filmmaker and his worked with brands such as Food Panda, Livon, Bajaj Platina, Surf Excel, Maruti SX4, IDEA, Ginger Hotels, Hero Honda, Lifebuoy and Whisper. Along with prestigious award nominations and victories like Filmfare, Screen and I.F.F.A., editing has contributed immensely in fine-tuning Chandan's creative skills and his approach to cinema. Editing feature, documentary and short films continues to give him immeasurable joy and learning. A technical background and a passion for storytelling lend him the necessary tools to effectively relay his stories to audiences. With his out-of-the-box thinking and constant search for stories untold, any process involved in the creation of an idea is never off-limits. Writing, editing, directing and producing of Ad Films, Films, Documentaries and Television, is what keeps fueling his knowledge and lends a hand in bettering his craft.Chandan Arora started as an assistant director in 1999, and later worked with director Ram Gopal Varma, as an editor in films like, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001), Road (2002), and Company (2003). Eventually he made his directorial debut with, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahati Hoon in 2003, produced by Ram Gopal Varma and followed it up comedy, Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005). He also won the Filmfare Award for Best Editing for Company in 2003.- Writer
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R. Balakrishnan, also known as Balki, is a prominent Indian filmmaker and screenwriter known for his unconventional storytelling style.
After completing his education, Balki began his career in advertising and made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film Cheeni Kum (2007) in 2007. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu and received widespread appreciation for its unique storyline and the actors' performances.
Balki's next film, Paa (2009), featured Amitabh Bachchan in a remarkable performance as a child suffering from progeria, a rare genetic disorder. The film was a commercial success and won several awards, including the 2009 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Balki continued to make thought-provoking films, such as Shamitabh (2015), which explored the relationship between a mute actor and his voice actor, and Ki & Ka (2016), which challenged gender stereotypes by depicting a house husband and a career-oriented wife. His film, Pad Man (2018), addressed menstruation's stigma and promoted menstrual hygiene.
His short film called Chup (2022) was released in February 2021. Chup has been widely appreciated by critics and audiences alike for its sensitive portrayal of a complex issue and its ability to spark a conversation around it.
Besides his filmmaking career, Balki wrote several successful ad campaigns, including the famous Daag Ache Hain for Surf Excel. He also produced the TV series Chup (2022) and the film Mission Mangal (2019)).
Balki is married to Gauri Shinde, a renowned director and filmmaker. The two first met when Balki was looking for a writer to work on his ad films, and Shinde was recommended to him. They eventually fell in love and married in 2007. Despite their busy schedules, they collaborated on several projects, with Balki producing Shinde's films and Shinde working on the scripts for Balki's films.He is first an ad filmmaker and then a film director. He is best known for Cheeni Kum (2007) and Paa (2009). His latest production English Vinglish (2012) is directed by his wife Gauri Shinde.- Producer
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Vikramaditya Motwane is a writer, director and producer (unfortunately not always in that order) and a partner in Phantom Films with Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl and Madhu Mantena. His directorial debut Udaan (2010) was selected to compete in the 'Un Certain Regard' category at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. He's since directed Robber (2013), Trapped (2016) and Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (2018) and was the showrunner and co-director on Sacred Games (2018), Netflix's first Indian original.Motwane was a long-time assistant of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and collaborated with Bhansali on the films Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Devdas (2002). He directed the song sequences in Anurag Kashyap's film Paanch (2003) and was Choreographer on Deepa Mehta's Academy Award-nominated film Water (2005).
Motwane released his debut feature film, entitled Udaan (2010), for Anurag Kashyap's production house, Anurag Kashyap Films, on July 16, 2010., which won seven Filmfare awards including Filmfare critics award for best movie. Motwane's second film, a period romance called Lootera, is slated for release in 5 July 2013.- Producer
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Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is a director, writer and producer who established Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Pictures (Romp) in India. Romp has cultivated in them an attitude to pioneer the way for the new wave and new age cinema from India, by identifying talent (writers & directors) from India and telling Indian stories to the world.
Rakeysh has written, produced and directed the film Rang de Basanti (Color of Sacrifice) (2006), with an ensemble of Indian and International cast. Rang De Basanti won 4 National Awards (President's Medals), was India's official entry to the Oscars 2006- 2007 It was also nominated by British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in the Best Foreign language film category 06-07.
Rakeysh went onto make Delhi -6 (2009) which is set against the backdrop of the caste and religious divide of the Indian social fabric. Delhi -6 has achieved tremendous critical acclaim and was an official selection at the prestigious Venice Film Festival . It won two National Awards (President Of India Medals). The Variety has termed it as un-bollywood , and "a step forward from Rang De Basanti , ushering an era of new age Indian cinema."
In 2011, Rakeysh's documentary film Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story (which was co-directed by Jeffery Zimbalist) was an official selection at the Cannes 2011 to celebrate 100 years of Indian Cinema. It is a docu feature, an avantgarde take on how Indian cinema has reflected the changing socio-political landscape since India got independence from the British Raj.
His film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) was set in the backdrop of when India gained freedom from the British in 1947, and the bloody ethnic violence that led to the massacre of thousands and the displacement of millions. This story is about the triumph of the undying human spirit, based on the life of the greatest Indian Olympian Milkha Singh , also known as "The flying Sikh". The film made a clean sweep at all the popular film awards in India, including two National Film Awards (President of India Medals).
Mirzya - (2016) which is a contemporary take on the legend of Mirza-Sahiban, a tragic love story told as a musical spectacle premiered at the London Film Festival. It was showcased at Chicago Film Festival , Busan Film Festival etc.
He has recently finished his latest project named 'Mere Pyaarey Prime Minister' which is under post production and due to release Summer of 2018. It is the story of an 8 year old boy's desire to build a toilet for his mother.
Rakeysh is also producing the under production film 'Fanney Khan', starring Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rajkumar Rao. It is also expected to release by Summer of 2018.He is best known for writing and directing Rang De Basanti (2006), for which he won Best Director awards at the 2006 Filmfare Awards and National Film Awards and received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.- Writer
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Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K., popularly known as Raj & DK, the writer-director-producer duo, are popular for their unique and original content. Pioneering in mixing genres masterfully and trailblazers of fresh, quirky humour in Indian cinema. Their latest offering is the Number 1 series in the country, the espionage drama, The Family Man.
Their debut feature, Flavors (2003), won rave reviews from around the world and is a cult hit, especially among Indian expatriates around the world. The film won a host of awards and was an official entry at over a dozen prestigious international film festivals.
They followed up this independent film with a mainstream Hindi film, 99 (2009). 99 (2009) was a sleeper hit at the Indian box office and was number 1 for 4 weeks in a row. It received terrific reviews from the media and the audiences alike; including 4 star reviews from The New York Times to Rediff.com.
They followed it up two contrasting films: Shor In The City, which was acclaimed as the best film of the year. And Go Goa Gone, Indian's first stoner comedy.
Their last film, the horror comedy Stree was a blockbuster and is supposed to be one of the most profitable films of all time.Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. (Raj & DK) are part of a new bunch of filmmakers that are said to be changing Indian cinema. Raj & DK have written and directed four feature films so far. Their first Hindi movie '99 (2009)' was a first of it's type in Bollywood, an original crime-comic-thriller-historical-fiction set in Mumbai and Delhi. The New York Times called it “funny, inventive, refreshing”. Second "Shor in the City" is also critically acclaimed but still an underrated movie. Their latest one, "Go Goa Gone" was first Indian movie about Zombies.- Writer
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Krishna DK and Raj Nidimoru, popularly known as Raj & DK, the writer-director-producer duo, are popular for their unique and original content. Pioneering in mixing genres masterfully and trailblazers of fresh, quirky humour in Indian cinema. Their latest offering is the Number 1 series in the country, the espionage drama, The Family Man.
Their debut feature, Flavors (2003), won rave reviews from around the world and is a cult hit, especially among Indian expatriates around the world. The film won a host of awards and was an official entry at over a dozen prestigious international film festivals.
They followed up this independent film with a mainstream Hindi film, 99 (2009). 99 (2009) was a sleeper hit at the Indian box office and was number 1 for 4 weeks in a row. It received terrific reviews from the media and the audiences alike; including 4 star reviews from The New York Times to Rediff.com.
They followed it up two contrasting films: Shor In The City, which was acclaimed as the best film of the year. And Go Goa Gone, Indian's first stoner comedy.
Their last film, the horror comedy Stree was a blockbuster and is supposed to be one of the most profitable films of all time.Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. (Raj & DK) are part of a new bunch of filmmakers that are said to be changing Indian cinema. Raj & DK have written and directed four feature films so far. Their first Hindi movie '99 (2009)' was a first of it's type in Bollywood, an original crime-comic-thriller-historical-fiction set in Mumbai and Delhi. The New York Times called it “funny, inventive, refreshing”. Second "Shor in the City" is also critically acclaimed but still an underrated movie. Their latest one, "Go Goa Gone" was first Indian movie about Zombies.- Director
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- Writer
Cinema entered the ordinary life of a young, sports and soccer enthusiast Shoojit Sircar, studying in Delhi, India, quite by chance when during the XIIth grade a friend suggested accompanying him for the viewing of a film. Unbeknownst to Sircar, this film would mark for him the beginning of a whole new way of looking at life. The film was Satyajit Ray's 'Pather Panchali' ('Song of the Little Road'). Curious and much impacted by this 'art form', Shoojit went on to watch the entire 'Apu trilogy' including 'Aparijito' (The Unvanquished) and 'The World of Apu'; and all other films by Ray, besides films by film-makers Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen. There are three films however besides Ray's 'Pather Panchali' that Shoojit specifically credits for giving 'birth to the cinema within him'; and for encouraging him to look at everything in life, differently; these are - Truffaut's '400 Blows', Vittorio De Sica's 'Bicycle Thieves' and Oliver Stone's "Platoon". Another important turning point in his journey was when he joined 'ACT ONE', a theatre group in Delhi, led by director, Mr.N.K. Sharma. There Shoojit handled backstage, across all departments - giving him the experience of creating theatre with minimalist resources, along with being rooted in the rigor and discipline that comes with living the life of theatre. His first big break as independent director ironically was a commercial on football, which he followed with a music video, 'MANN KE MANJEERE'. While most music videos of the time catered to the 'pop' form of storytelling - this one explored a more realistic journey, that of a woman, played by Mita Vashisht; a single mother who breaks away from an abusive married life and chooses to become a 'truck driver', then quite the traditional bastion of the male. Composed by Shantanu Moitra, with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi and sung by Shubha Mudgal, the video was viewed by over 20 million people at the time, its impact described as '"Mann ke Manjeeré has made a breakthrough by claiming public space for women's aspirations." Shoojit's first major directorial feature 'YAHAAN' (2005), on the turmoil faced by the Kashmiri people - won him the best director award in the Osian Film Festival 2005. He followed that with "VICKY DONOR" (2012), a film that dealt with the issue of infertility and brought the taboo topic of sperm donation onto a dining table conversation, 'Vicky Donor' went on to win three national awards including 'Best Entertainer of the year'. He followed that up with the hard - hitting political thriller 'MADRAS CAFE' (2013), throwing light on one of the most tumultuous periods in the sub-continent history - the Sri Lankan civil war. A year later, he brought us the much loved slice of life, 'PIKU' (2015) - a father-daughter comic drama, centered around an ageing, possessive father and his constant 'bowel problem'; aptly played out by Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone; winning over 18 awards from across the nation. And then came, 'PINK' (2016) - a film that gave voice to millions of Indian women; that proclaimed a 'No means No'; a film that proved to be not just a movie but a 'movement'; With 'OCTOBER' (2018), Shoojit Sircar shared a most poetic, soulful, personal take on love... And with the absurdist satire, 'GULABO SITABO' (2020), an unapologetic take on human greed! And most recently, the powerful and cinematically rich period biographical drama, 'SARDAR UDHAM' (2021), a film about India's pre independence movement with a compelling take on the 'revolutionary vs. terrorist' debate. With such a diverse and distinct repertoire of films, Shoojit Sircar today stands out as one of the most important and original voices of Indian Cinema. Besides bringing forth such quality cinema, Shoojit Sircar has also taken up the mantle of backing projects as a producer, producing the much appreciated and well received (Bengali) features, "Aparajita Tumi" and "Open Tee Bioscope"
As an ad film maker, Shoojit has been recognized internationally through works like the Cannes award winning, 'Lead India campaign' by The Times of India group, which brought together most respected Indian icons. His last (digital) campaign, an authentic reflection on modern parenting, has become a major talking point, going on to garner millions of hits on social media.He directed films like Yahaan (2005) and Vicky Donor (2012) and produced Aparajita Tumi (2012). He won the Indian Competition Special Jury Award at Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema in 2005 for Yahaan.- Writer
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Born on 21st May 1966 in Kolkata, Sujoy Ghosh is an Indian film writer, director, actor and producer who is well known for his critically acclaimed movies like Jhankar Beats, Kahaani, Ahalya and Badla.
The film maker started the trend of multiplex movies in Bollywood with his directorial debut Jhankaar Beats in 2003 which went on to become a superhit. Ghosh's mystery thriller film Kahaani which released in the year 2012 was his path-breaking female lead movie for which he bagged many awards including a National Film Award for Best Screenplay and a Filmfare Award for Best Director. In 2016, his film Kahaani 2 was released which is a sequel to Kahaani. With his 15 minuter short film - Ahalya (2015), he started the trend of mainstream directors making digital short films.
His latest crime-thriller Badla, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Taapsee Pannu received a widespread acclaim and emerged as the content film of the year for its nail-biting plot that left the audiences at the edge of their seats till the very last moment. This is his second film with Amitabh Bachchan, first being Aladin and second being the 2016 thriller film Te3n which was produced by Sujoy. Alongside writing and directing films, Sujoy also acts with the Bengali mystery-thriller Satyanweshi (2013) being his debut film as an actor where he played the role of Byomkesh Bakshi.
Not many know but the popular phrase of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders - "Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Re" was penned by Sujoy himself. With the quality driven content in his films, Sujoy Ghosh is one of the leading filmmakers in the country.Ghosh made his directorial debut in 2003 with Jhankaar Beats which was a tribute to R. D. Burman. Although his next ventures Home Delivery and Aladin weren't good movies and did not cherish boxoffice success. But his 2012 release Kahaani, featuring Vidya Balan in lead role, has gained both commercial success and critical acclaim and IMO its the best thriller Hindi Film Industry has ever produced.- Writer
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Neeraj Pandey (born 17 December 1973) is an acclaimed Indian film director, producer and screenwriter. In his first movie A Wednesday, his work was largely praised by audiences as well as the critics. A Wednesday also won many awards in different categories. His second film Special 26 (2013) was equally appreciated by the public and the critics. Not just a filmmaker but a writer too, Neeraj has written a novel named 'Ghalib Danger' in 2013. He also directed the movie Baby (2015) starring Akshay Kumar which received critical acclaim from the audience and was a huge success.The movie Rustom which was produced by Neeraj, was released on 12 August 2016 and received mixed reviews by critics but was a runaway commercial success. His last movie was a biopic on cricketer M.S.Dhoni titled M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story which was loved by the audience.. He aims at making more commercial content in the sports genre. Neeraj has carved a niche for himself in the film industry with his adept handling of different topics and is one of the most sought after Directors of his generation.
In 2016, his Production House Friday Filmworks and Reliance Entertainment entered into a joint venture and formed Plan C Studios.
He has also directed a Web Short 'Ouch' with Manoj Bajpayee and Pooja Chopra which is nominated for Filmfare Short Film Award 2017. As the co-producer, his recent blockbuster Toilet- Ek Prem Katha is getting critical appreciation from the film industry and the audience. His upcoming movie is Aiyaary which is set to release on 2018 starring Sidharth Malhotra and Manoj BajpayeeHe is known for his critically acclaimed & commercially successful movies A Wednesday (2008) and Special 26 (2013). A Wednesday, was inspired by the 11 July 2006 Mumbai train bombings, and a lot of information in the film, was taken from the incidents that followed the bombings. Special 26 is also based on a true story, a high profile heist, at the Opera House branch of 'Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri' jewellery store in Mumbai, when on March 19, 1987, 26 men posing as income tax officials raided the shop and walked away with jewellery worth lacs.- Director
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Born in 1924. Science graduate from University of Calcutta. Sinha began his film career as a sound engineer in Calcutta's New Theatre in 1946. Four years later, he received an invitation to the London film festival and the opportunity of working at Pinewood Studios. He was in the UK for two years. On returning to India, he turned his attentions to film directing. Tapan Sinha was influenced by American and British film making. Tagore was a great source of inspiration to him. He made three films on Tagore's stories: Kabuliwala, Hungry Stones (Khudito Pashan), Atithi.
Tapan Sinha's first film Ankush was based on Narayan Gangopadhyay's story 'sainik'. In 1957, his film 'Kabuliwala' was shown in Berlin Film festival. He has won National award many times. His films were shown in different film festivals all over the world. He was married to actress Arundhuti who passed away in 1990. Sinha lives in Calcutta.He was one of the most prominent Indian film directors of his time forming a legendary quartet with Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen. He was primarily a Bengali filmmaker who worked both in Hindi cinema and Bengali cinema, directing films like Kabuliwala (1957), Louha-Kapat, Sagina Mahato (1970), Apon Jon (1968), Kshudhita Pashan and children's film Safed Haathi (1978) and Aaj Ka Robinhood. His movies covered straddling genres from social realism, family drama, labour rights, to children's fantasy films. He was arguably the most uncompromising filmmaker outside the orbit of Parallel Cinema.- Writer
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Bala was born on 11 July 1966 in Theni, Tamil Nadu, India. He is a writer and director, known for Sethu (1999), Paradesi (2013) and Naan Kadavul (2009). He is married to Muthumalar.Bala is widely acclaimed for "revolutionizing Tamil cinema" through his realistic, dark and disturbing depiction of the working class on celluloid screen. He has received several awards and recognition for his work, including the National Film Award for Best Director for his fourth feature film Naan Kadavul (2009).- Writer
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Shankar is an Indian film director and producer who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He started his career as an assistant director to SA Chandrasekar and now he is the highest paid director in the country. He made his debut in Gentleman (1993) and since 2015 he has directed 12 movies. He won the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2010, in the Entertainment category.Recognized for directing high budget films, he is also a pioneer of vigilante movies in Tamil. He made his directional debut in Gentleman (1993), for which he was awarded the Filmfare Best Director Award and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director. He is the highest paid film-maker in India among his contemporaries. Two of his films, Indian (1996) and Jeans (1998) were submitted by India for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.- Director
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Govindan Aravindan was born on 21 January 1935 in Kottayam, Kerala, India. He was a director and writer, known for Esthappan (1980), Vasthuhara (1991) and Oridathu (1987). He died on 16 March 1991 in Trivandrum, Kerala, India.Popularly known as G. Aravindan, he was a national award winning film director, screenwriter, musician and cartoonist from Kerala, India. He was known for his unorthodox way of filmmaking; he changed his cinematic forms consistently and experimented in storytelling without regular narrative styles. Before venturing into film field, he was an established cartoonist. He had also worked with documentaries and theatre.- Director
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Malayalam director who studied economics at a college near Kottayam. His grandfather educated him and gave him his first camera. He worked as an insurance salesman in Bellary. Then he went to FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) and studied under Bengali director Ritwik Kumar Ghatak. He started with a student film. His first film was Vidyarthikale Ithile Ithile (1971) made in Tamil. He also wrote his own films. He later lived a nomadic lifestyle in the 70s and depended on support from his friends and colleagues. He suffered from alcoholism and died an accidental death.He was perhaps famous for his style of living and way of thinking than for his films. He attained a legendary status, living a nomadic kind of life. He rebelled against all the established ways of life as well as [film making]. John Abraham is recognized as a genius in Malayalam cinema. He made his mark with the Tamil film Agraharathil Kazhuthai, but is possibly remembered most for his efforts in starting a people's cinema movement, an absolute form of independent film-making called Odessa Collective.
John is ranked among the greatest Indian film directors. His film Amma Ariyan (1986) was the only south Indian feature film to make the list of "Top 10 Indian Films" of all time by British Film Institute.[3] Agraharathil Kazhuthai was listed among the "100 Greatest Indian Films" of all time by IBN Live's 2013 poll.- Writer
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P. Padmarajan was an Indian author, screenwriter, and film director who was known for his landmark works in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema. Padmarajan was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam, along with Bharathan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely received while also being critically acclaimed.
Padmarajan was born on 23 May 1946 in Muthukulam near Haripad in Alappuzha district as the sixth son of Thundathil Anantha Padmanabha Pillai and Njavarakkal Devaki Amma. After early schooling at Muthukulam, he studied at M. G. College and University College Trivandrum, graduating with a BSc in chemistry (1963). Subsequently, he learned Sanskrit from the scholar Cheppad Achyutha Warrier at Muthukulam. He then joined All India Radio, Trichur (1965), starting as a program announcer, and later settled at Poojappura, Trivandrum (1968); he would remain at All India Radio until 1986, when his busy involvement in films would prompt him to retire voluntarily.
His stories deal with deceit, murder, romance, mystery, passion, jealousy, libertinism, anarchism, individualism, and the life of peripheral elements of society. Some of them are considered as among the best in Malayalam literature, his first novel Nakshathrangale Kaaval (With only the stars as witness) won the Kerala Sahithya Academy award (1972).
He entered the world of Malayalam films by writing the screenplay for Bharathan's directorial debut Prayaanam (1975) to take first steps to be one of the most talented script writers to have graced Malayalam cinema.
He later began to direct films based on his own screenplays, beginning with Peruvazhiyambalam (The Street as a Choultry) (1979), which are greatly popular among the common people as well as intellectuals and film critics, while maintaining richness in artistic and thematic originality and excellence. Padmarajan was a great experimenter who explored all walks of life in his works. His screen plays had such hitherto-unheard of features and subjects - such as casting rain as a character in Thoovanthumbikal (Dragonflies in the Spraying Rain), friendship between two young school girls in Desadanakili Karayarilla (Migratory Birds Don't Cry), unusual climax (By traditional standards) in Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (Vineyards for us to dwell) and Oridaththoru Phayalvaan (There Lived a Wrestler). Many of his films bear the mark of his romanticism.
He is celebrated for his possibly unparalleled attention to detail in his screenplays. Some of his scripts are arguably the smoothest narratives ever penned in the Malayalam language. They are also ample proof for his keen observation, acute perception, and astute portrayal of human relationships and emotions. Many of his films have stunning and haunting climaxes, most of them not commonly portrayed in Malayalam movies. His characters were portrayed with great sensitivity and intensity on the screen and many of the scenes are generously sprinkled with humor. The dialogues of characters are quite natural, in the language of the common man, and yet have a subtle lyrical quality.
Indeed, a just case may be made that his directorial merit flowed easily from his exquisitely crafted screenplays: he never directed a film based on a script written by someone else (unlike other Malayalam film directors of comparable stature, say, Bharathan and K. G. George), and rarely adapted his script from a story not his own. Consequently, he had an unusually intimate knowledge of the characters in his films in combination with his mastery of the script.Padmarajan was noted for his fine and detailed screenwriting and expressive direction style. Padmarajan made some of the landmark motion pictures in Malayalam cinema, including masterpieces like Oridathoru Phayalvaan (1981), Koodevide (1983), Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil (1986), Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986), Thoovanathumbikal (1987), Moonnam Pakkam (1988), Innale (1989) and Njan Gandharvan (1991).- Director
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Bharathan was born on 14 November 1947 in Vadakkancheri, Trichur, Kerala, British India. He was a director and art director, known for Thevar Magan (1992), Prayanam (1975) and Thakara (1979). He was married to K.P.A.C. Lalitha. He died on 29 July 1998 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely received while also being critically acclaimed. A train of directors, and screen writers followed this school onto the 1990s including Sibi Malayil, Kamal, Lohithadas, Jayaraj, and Sathyan Anthikkad.
He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and prolific filmmakers of Malayalam cinema and has directed more than 50 movies in multiple languages.- Director
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Hariharan entered the Malayalam film industry in 1965, and has so far directed more than 60 films, many of which were highly successful both commercially and critically. His movies have mostly explored the complexities of social issues and human relationships, set in the backdrop of Kerala's rich cultural heritage. His films such as 'Valarthumrugangal', 'Panchagni, 'Nakhakshathangal', 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha', 'Sargam', 'Parinayam' and 'Ennu Swantham Janakikutty' have entered the Indian Panorama of International Film Festival. He has also been honored with a Diploma by the Pyongyan Film Festival of North Korea for 'Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha'. In 1993, 'Sargam' won him the State Award for the Best Director and also National Award for wholesome and popular entertainment. The film also received special honor at the Fukuoka and Swiss film festivals. His following film, 'Parinayam', won the National Award for social issues and took part in about 7 film festivals across the world. 'Ennu Swantham Janakikutty' was the inaugural film at the Korean film festival (2000), and it also took part in the London film festival(2000).
Apart from these recognitions he has also won the Filmfare and the prestigious Ramu Kariat Awards for his works on multiple occasions.
His latest film, 'Pazhassi Raja', is his most ambitious project yet. It is based on the life of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, the first revolter against the British East India Company. This historical epic, written by one of the most gifted writers of India, 'Jnanapeeth' M.T. Vasudevan Nair and produced by Gokulam Gopalan, will be released on the 15th of August.He has directed over 50 Malayalam films. His movies mainly revolve around the cultural and relational aspects of a typical Keralite society. His notable works include Pazhassi Raja, Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, Sargam, Parinayam, Amrutham Gamaya and Nakhakshathangal, which won him national acclaim.- Director
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Mani Kaul was born on 25 December 1944 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. He was a director and writer, known for Duvidha (1973), Naukar Ki Kameez (1999) and Uski Roti (1970). He died on 6 July 2011 in New Delhi, India.He an influential director of Indian parallel cinema. He graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) where he was a student of Ritwik Ghatak and later became a teacher. Started his career with Uski Roti (1969), which won him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie, he went on to win four of them in all. He won the National Film Award for Best Direction in 1974 for Duvidha and later the National Film Award for his documentary film, Siddheshwari in 1989.- Director
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Adoor Gopalakrishnan is India's most acclaimed contemporary filmmaker. Born in 1941 in Kerala, a state in south India, he belongs to a family with strong links to the performing arts, especially Kathakali, a highly-stylised form of dance drama. From the age of eight Adoor began acting for the stage, later producing and directing over twenty plays, several written by him. He is the author of two books on the theatre as well as a book on the cinema, "The World of Cinema", for which he won a national award in 1983. In 1962 Adoor enrolled in the Film and Television Institute in Pune and graduated in 1965 with a diploma in Scriptwriting and Direction. The same year he founded the Chitralekha Film Society of Trivandrum as well as the Chitralekha Film Cooperative. Both played a key role in the development of film culture in Kerala. In 1972 Adoor made Swayamvaram/One's Own Choice, his first full-length feature film. It launched the New Cinema in Kerala and became one of the major films of the Indian New Wave. He has since made seven more films (along with over 25 shorts and documentaries), all of which have won major national and international awards: Kodiyettam/Ascent (1977); Elippathayam/Rat Trap (1981); Mukhamukham/Face to Face (1984); Anantaram/Monologue (1987); Mathilukal/The Walls (1990); Vidheyan/The Servile (1993), and Kathapurushan/Man of the Story (1995). Elippathayam received the prestigious British Film Institute Award in 1982; Mukhamukham won the FIPRESCI prize in 1985; Kathapurushan was honoured in India in 1995 with the National Award for Best Film. Retrospectives of Adoor's films have been held in Pesaro, Helsinki, La Rochelle, Nantes, Munich, and New York. All of Adoor's films draw on the history and culture of his native Kerala. Kerala's transition from feudalism to modernity serves as a backdrop to his complex meditations on the psychology of power, the nature of oppression, the corruption of patriarchy, and the coexistence of the modern and the feudal in post-Independence democratic India. Elippathayam, his masterpiece, vividly captures the descent into paranoia of a man trapped within his feudal universe. In Mukhamukham, a study in failed idealism, a Communist leader gives up on revolution and decides to go to sleep instead. Vidheyan, a parable-like story, deals with the abuse of power, the plight of the outsider, and the nature of a master-servant relationship. The more recent films--especially Anantaram, Mathilukal and Kathapurushan--display a new concern with interiority and reflexivity, foregrounding time, memory, consciousness, and the nature of storytelling itself. Adoor's genius lies in his ability to create visually complex films that operate on multiple levels, that are culture-specific and yet universal in significance.Adoor Gopalakrishnan had a major role in revolutionizing Malayalam cinema and is regarded as one of the finest filmmakers of India. Adoor's first film Swayamvaram (1972) pioneered the new wave cinema movement in Kerala. Most of his films go to festivals around the world, and are released in Kerala. All the eleven films he directed, from Swayamvaram to Oru Pennum Randaanum (2008), were screened at several international film festivals and won him several national and international awards. He won National Film Awards sixteen times, Kerala State Film Awards seventeen times and also won several international film awards. He won the prestigious British Film Institute award for Elippathayam (1981).- Director
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Buddhadev Dasgupta was born on 11 February 1944 in Anara, India. He was a director and writer, known for Uttara (2000), Dooratwa (1979) and Charachar (1994). He died on 10 June 2021 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.He is most known for films like Bagh Bahadur, Tahader Katha, Charachar and Uttara. Five of his films have won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film, Bagh Bahadur (1989), Charachar (1993), Lal Darja (1997), Mondo Meyer Upakhyan (2002) and Kaalpurush (2008), while Dooratwa (1978) and Tahader Katha (1993) have won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali.