Posted:
I've noticed this pattern.
It seems to me, most directors actually produce their best films at the beginning of their careers...and then tend to go downhill.
At the top of my head I can think of:
Imtiaz Ali - Socha Na Tha and Jab We Met remain his most loved creations. The same director sorta unraveled afterwards with Love Aaj Kal and Rockstar.
Vishal Bharadwaj - Blue Umbrella and Omkara were his best classics. He peaked with Kaminey and since then has been giving misses. His most recent MKBKMD and SKM didnt quite hit the mark, even with critics.
Madhur Bhanadarkar - Literally got worse with each film. His best was Chandni Bar, then Page 3, then Corporate, Fashion, Jail, and his recent Heroine was the worst.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali - Best was Khamoshi and Hum Saath Saath Hain. Devdas was impressive, and since then, Black, Saawarya, Guzaarish, fizzz.
Karan Johar - Totally charming Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, then K3G was even more massive, and then after that, didnt quite have the same magic with Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, My Name is Khan or Student of the Year.
Sriram Raghavan - Quite a solid director when it came to thrillers. Ek Hasina Thi was spinechilling, followed up with the complex Johnny Gadaar. But seems to have lost his command somewhere with Agent Vinod.
And edited to add (courtesy Koiza)
Yash Chopra - The man who mesmerized us with classics like Silsila, left us with a shriveled up JTHJ.
Do you also think that directors tend to make their best work when they start out and then lose their vision or are there examples of directors who got better with each film?
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
0