The Best Film Directors of Indian Cinema

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..

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. :)

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.

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.

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.

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..

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).

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.

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).

His latest Barfi! (2012), although inspired by many western classics is his best work till now

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

He 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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.