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A look at the films that gave us this decade's coolest filmmakers
Buzz18
Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut Luck By Chance is one of the most detailed and confident attempts by a first time filmmaker. As one critic pointed out, "Zoya shows us how a film should be made". Right from Raj Kapoor to Raj Kumar Santoshi and from Yash Chopra to son Aditya, many of Hindi cinema's legendary filmmakers cracked it in their debuts itself. Over the last decade a new generation of directors have burst onto the scene. While some broke the norms, the rest chose to repackage the age-old formula. So lets have a look at the 10 most influential directorial debuts.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Karan Johar) 2008
Talking point: KKHH made Bollywood cool. This Archie comics inspired love triangle clicked big time with both desi and videsi audiences. Thanks to his now trademark Beverly Hills meets Bandra packaging, it was hip to dress like Rani, talk like Shah Rukh and blast the title track on your car stereo - without any shred of embarrassment.
Follow up: Blockbuster after blockbuster with many more to come.
Hyderabad Blues (Nagesh Kukunoor) 2008
Talking point: Shot on a shoestring budget with production qualities that could make home videos look like Ben Hur - Nagesh Kukunoor's debut sleeper hit heralded the wave of new age/multiplex/crossover cinema. His success story has inspired a generation of aspiring, cash-strapped filmmakers to dare to dream. Who knows? Without Hyderabad Blues - Bheja Fry, Jhankar Beats and Khosla Ka Ghosla might have never happened.
Follow up: A few medium budget gems before big bucks clouded his craft.
Dil Chahta Hai (Farhan Akhtar) 2001
Talking point: Finally a film that spoke urban India's language. No high pitched melodrama or improbable creative licenses. DCH was cool and classy, yet very filmy at its core. Apart from KKHH, this was one other film that redefined the importance of styling in our movies.
Follow up: Kept the innovative streak alive both as producer and director, albeit with mixed box-office success.
Saathiya (Shaad Ali) 2002
Talking point: A breezy boy meets girl love story set in suburban Mumbai, Saathiya had crisp dialogue and natural performances. Despite being a remake, Shaad Ali gave the film its own distinct feel – something even Ghajini lacks. His love for the conventional formula is evident in all his films - now all he needs is a good story.
Follow up: An entertaining Bunty Aur Babli and an embarrassing Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
Munnabhai MBBS (Raj Kumar Hirani) 2003
Talking point: He is the Hrishikesh Mukherjee of the new millennium. Simple plots, clever dialogues and innocent characters are what make the Munnabhai series such a rage. When it comes to comedies, Munnabhai MBBS stands out in an otherwise clutter of stupid slapstick affairs.
Follow up: He bettered his debut with the sequel and is now set to direct Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots.
Kal Ho Naa Ho (Nikhil Advani) 2003
Talking point: Snappily edited and brilliantly shot, Kal Ho Naa Ho has tremendous repeat value. Whether Karan ghost directed it or not, we don't know, but Nikhil Advani's debut film had all its elements in place. Unfortunately except for Shankar Ehsaan Loy's consistently brilliant scores, Nikhil's other films haven't got anything else right.
Follow up: A never-ending remake of Love Actually and a disastrous attempt mixing Kung Fu with curry.
Main Hoon Na (Farah Khan) 2004
Talking point: Main Hoon Na is what SRK must have told Farah when she thought of this illogical, Manmohan Desai style lost and found tale. Despite obvious influences of Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra in her style, Farah rocks because she can spoof like no one else can. Watch the Matrix inspired spit sequence or the Sholayisque auto chase and you'll know why.
Follow up: An equally hilarious reincarnation spoof Om Shanti Om
Taare Zameen Par (Aamir Khan) 2006
Talking point: Perhaps the only other actor other than Raj Kapoor to have achieved perfection in both acting and direction. His attention to detail and experience showed in every frame of this masterpiece. That's why a film on dyslexia turned out to be so entertaining without getting preachy. As Farhan Akhtar said on his show "This man can even turn a documentary on fertilizers into a blockbuster".
Follow up: We are waiting…
A Wednesday (Neeraj Pandey) 2008
Talking point: How can a film starring Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah in the lead be entertaining? Well Neeraj Pandey proved everyone wrong with his gripping, to-the-point thriller, about a common man's reaction to terrorism. It's a perfect example of blending art house sensibilities into the mainstream format. Hard to believe that this film was lying unsold for a very long time.
Follow up: No formal announcements but we are sure he has a busy awards reason ahead.
Buzz18
Zoya Akhtar's directorial debut Luck By Chance is one of the most detailed and confident attempts by a first time filmmaker. As one critic pointed out, "Zoya shows us how a film should be made". Right from Raj Kapoor to Raj Kumar Santoshi and from Yash Chopra to son Aditya, many of Hindi cinema's legendary filmmakers cracked it in their debuts itself. Over the last decade a new generation of directors have burst onto the scene. While some broke the norms, the rest chose to repackage the age-old formula. So lets have a look at the 10 most influential directorial debuts.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Karan Johar) 2008
Talking point: KKHH made Bollywood cool. This Archie comics inspired love triangle clicked big time with both desi and videsi audiences. Thanks to his now trademark Beverly Hills meets Bandra packaging, it was hip to dress like Rani, talk like Shah Rukh and blast the title track on your car stereo - without any shred of embarrassment.
Follow up: Blockbuster after blockbuster with many more to come.
Hyderabad Blues (Nagesh Kukunoor) 2008
Talking point: Shot on a shoestring budget with production qualities that could make home videos look like Ben Hur - Nagesh Kukunoor's debut sleeper hit heralded the wave of new age/multiplex/crossover cinema. His success story has inspired a generation of aspiring, cash-strapped filmmakers to dare to dream. Who knows? Without Hyderabad Blues - Bheja Fry, Jhankar Beats and Khosla Ka Ghosla might have never happened.
Follow up: A few medium budget gems before big bucks clouded his craft.
Dil Chahta Hai (Farhan Akhtar) 2001Talking point: Finally a film that spoke urban India's language. No high pitched melodrama or improbable creative licenses. DCH was cool and classy, yet very filmy at its core. Apart from KKHH, this was one other film that redefined the importance of styling in our movies.
Follow up: Kept the innovative streak alive both as producer and director, albeit with mixed box-office success.
Saathiya (Shaad Ali) 2002
Talking point: A breezy boy meets girl love story set in suburban Mumbai, Saathiya had crisp dialogue and natural performances. Despite being a remake, Shaad Ali gave the film its own distinct feel – something even Ghajini lacks. His love for the conventional formula is evident in all his films - now all he needs is a good story.
Follow up: An entertaining Bunty Aur Babli and an embarrassing Jhoom Barabar Jhoom.
Munnabhai MBBS (Raj Kumar Hirani) 2003Talking point: He is the Hrishikesh Mukherjee of the new millennium. Simple plots, clever dialogues and innocent characters are what make the Munnabhai series such a rage. When it comes to comedies, Munnabhai MBBS stands out in an otherwise clutter of stupid slapstick affairs.
Follow up: He bettered his debut with the sequel and is now set to direct Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots.
Kal Ho Naa Ho (Nikhil Advani) 2003
Talking point: Snappily edited and brilliantly shot, Kal Ho Naa Ho has tremendous repeat value. Whether Karan ghost directed it or not, we don't know, but Nikhil Advani's debut film had all its elements in place. Unfortunately except for Shankar Ehsaan Loy's consistently brilliant scores, Nikhil's other films haven't got anything else right.
Follow up: A never-ending remake of Love Actually and a disastrous attempt mixing Kung Fu with curry.
Main Hoon Na (Farah Khan) 2004
Talking point: Main Hoon Na is what SRK must have told Farah when she thought of this illogical, Manmohan Desai style lost and found tale. Despite obvious influences of Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra in her style, Farah rocks because she can spoof like no one else can. Watch the Matrix inspired spit sequence or the Sholayisque auto chase and you'll know why.
Follow up: An equally hilarious reincarnation spoof Om Shanti Om
Taare Zameen Par (Aamir Khan) 2006Talking point: Perhaps the only other actor other than Raj Kapoor to have achieved perfection in both acting and direction. His attention to detail and experience showed in every frame of this masterpiece. That's why a film on dyslexia turned out to be so entertaining without getting preachy. As Farhan Akhtar said on his show "This man can even turn a documentary on fertilizers into a blockbuster".
Follow up: We are waiting…
A Wednesday (Neeraj Pandey) 2008
Talking point: How can a film starring Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah in the lead be entertaining? Well Neeraj Pandey proved everyone wrong with his gripping, to-the-point thriller, about a common man's reaction to terrorism. It's a perfect example of blending art house sensibilities into the mainstream format. Hard to believe that this film was lying unsold for a very long time.
Follow up: No formal announcements but we are sure he has a busy awards reason ahead.
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