These Bollywood directors just vanished from scene after delivering one or two blockbusters

When we talk about Mollywood in the past 10 years or so, you can find at least 50 or more directors who simply vanished from scene after delivering hit from their maiden project. In an interview, I heard one veteran director giving a big figure when it comes to debut directors between 2015 and 2020. After Covid season too, many new directors have come forward with fresh ideas and making, and made a mark in Mollywood. It’s not like they worked with less-known actors delivering hits. Megastars like Mammootty and Mohanlal have always given dates to newcomers, if they liked the script. In fact many of their big hits in the past one decade were given by debutante directors. Some of them have returned giving one or two hits or flops, while many of them never shown up, and they are still remembered for their debut film. The list will be too long.

When it comes to Bollywood, it’s not the same. If we take the past 20-30 years or so, only a very few talented newcomers have gained spotlight. Most of them never belonged to film fraternities and it’s only their hard work which have them success. Despite delivering hits, and in a few cases after delivering the biggest blockbusters of the year, a few of them never got opportunities, while a few delivered bad films and disappeared. Through this column I shall try to list a few such ‘One-hit’ ya ‘Two-hit’ wonders whom public has forgotten.

These Bollywood directors best known for their debut flicks are missing the spotlight

Shaad Ali best known for Saathiya

Shaad Ali started his career as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam, and later remade his hit film, Alaipayuthey (2000) to Hindi. The movie Saathiya released 2 years later was a big hit and boosted the careers of the lead pair, Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee. His second film Bunty Aur Babli was also a box-office hit. After the failure of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, he continued assisting Mani Ratnam for a while, and made a comeback with Kill Dil in 2014. However the movie received negative reviews. He later remade his mentor’s Tamil hit, OK Kanmani to Hindi titled OK Janu which flopped at box office. Later nobody noticed his films – Soorma and Mister Mummy.

Aditya Chopra best known for DDLJ

This director definitely deserves mention in this list. Aditya Chopra’s contribution to Bollywood through DDLJ is immensely huge and can’t be briefed in a few words. DDLJ was a gamechanger o Bollywood. He was only 23 when he gave Bollywood the longest running film, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), and the new superstar to Bollywood, SRK. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol Jodi became an iconic pair & cult classic and still loved by youngsters. However he couldn’t repeat a success like DDLJ, though he has delivered two more hits – Mohabbatein (2000), Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2007). His last directorial venture was Befikre in 2016, which backfired him. He always remained a seasonal director, and concentrated most on expanding Yash Raj Films empire as a producer, which he succeeded.

Ken Ghosh best known for Ishq Vishk

Ken Ghosh directed Double Gadbad in 1995. This 2-hour film looks like made for television, it’s available free on YouTube. In 2000, he directed a short film, Har Pal. Ishq Vishk marked his directorial debut in Bollywood in 2003. The movie marked the acting debut of Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao, who later went on to become a hit pair. The movie was popular among youth and was a hit. However he made bad choices later. The much anticipated Fida was a flop. Chance Pe Dance in 2010 was his last film. All his films starred Shahid Kapoor. Later he directed a few web series and got noticed.

John Matthew Matthan best known for Sarfarosh

People may not know this director. But they never forget the new angry young man image of Aamir Khan in Sarfarosh. While Aamir Khan was mostly concentrating on romantic roles in the last one decade, films like Ghulam and Sarfarosh played a magnificent role in breaking his chocolate boy image. In fact with mid-1990s Khan started doing only one movie a year (a few exceptions), and he succeeded most times. John started his career assisting Sir Richard Attenborough in Gandhi followed by Govind Nihlani in many few films, before starting his independent journey in ad industry.

His debut flick, Sarfarosh (1999) was critically well acclaimed. However his second film Shikhar (2005) starring Ajay Devgn was a big disappointment. 8 years later he tried to make a comeback through A New Love Ishtory starring Himesh Reshammiya. But the movie was never released.

Tarun Mansukhani best known for Dostana

When Dostana was released in 2008, the film was noticed for its fresh topic which was rarely explored in Bollywood till then, and the chemistry between the lead actors – Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham. Comic elements also played an important role in making the movie a big success, and Tarun Mansukhani made a promising debut. His second film, Drive produced by Karan Johar was released on Netflix a decade later in 2019. The movie is perhaps the only bad choice movie of Sushant Singh Rajput’s career, who just had delivered a blockbuster through Chhichhore. As per later updates, he is directing the 5^th instalment of Houseful series.

Shekhar Kapur best known for Masoom and Mr. India

I am not sure if this name needs mention in this list. This name doesn’t need any introduction. Shekhar Kapur is one among those rare Indian directors who received critical acclaim and awards for international projects. However he didn’t concentrate on his Bollywood career. He marked his directorial debut with Masoom in 1983 and gave us cult classic sci-fi Mr. India. After directing award winning biopic film- Bandit Queen, he completely switched to British English films. In December 2002, Shekhar Kapur announced Paani and after many years, he finally signed Sushant Singh Rajput in 2013. But due to some disagreements with film production company Yash Raj Films, the movie was called off.

Abhinav Kashyap best known for Dabangg

No doubt Dabangg (2010), boosted the career of Salman Khan and the director behind his real success was Abhinav Kashyap. While working in television since mid-1990s, Abhinav Kashyap joined Bollywood as a screenwriter in year 2000. He also appeared in a few films, before marking his directorial debut with Dabangg. The movie was produced under Arbaaz Khan Productions. After the huge success of the film, though he was approached for its sequel, he didn’t want to take the project, as he believed Dabangg as itself is a complete film. But unfortunately, the only film he did later was Besharam (2013), which is widely regarded as the worst film of Ranbir Kapoor’s career.

After that he fully went off from Bollywood spotlight and made a few short films. It’s an irony, on 15 June 2020, he came up with a statement on Facebook connecting Sushant Singh Rajput controversies and directly accused Salman Khan, his brothers Arbaaz and Sohail and father Salim of sabotaging his career and bullying him.

Punit Malhotra best known for I Hate Luv Storys

Punit’s first film, I Hate Luv Storys (2010) starring Sonam Kapoor and Imran Khan was a box office hit. Later he directed 2 more films – Gori Tere Pyaar Mein and Student of the Year 2, and both the films failed at the box office.

Abbas Tyrewala best known for Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na

His career in Bollywood began as a lyricist in year 2000. Later he wrote dialogues for a few movies as well. His directorial debut, Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na starring Imran Khan and Genelia D’Souza was a musical blockbuster. This coming-of-age romantic comedy film scripted and directed by Abbas Tyrewala was quite popular among youth and achieved cult status. However his second film Jhootha Hi Sahi starring John Abraham and his wife Paakhi Tyrewala was a huge disappointment, and he never directed a Bollywood film again. He continued writing dialogues for a few more films.

Aziz Mirza best known for Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman

He gave Shah Rukh Khan his first big break through Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (1992), and also delivered hits with the actor through the films Yes Boss and Chalte Chalte. Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman was his debut film. Before that, he has worked with SRK in iconic Doordarshan series – Nukkad and Circus. His association with SRK, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani was a flop. His last release was Kismat Konnection in 2008. After the failure of this film, he never returned to Bollywood.

Navdeep Singh best known for Manorama Six Feet Under and NH10

His first two films – Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) and NH10 (2015) were critically acclaimed. However his next films – Laal Kaptaan and Shehar Lakhot failed to bring that charm to silver screen.

These Bollywood directors delivered hits before they vanished

Ashutosh Gowariker best known for Lagaan and Jodha Akbar

The director who tops this list should be extremely talented Ashutosh Gowariker, whose Lagaan made into the Oscars. His debut film Pehla Nasha (1993) had cameo roles of Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan, who appeared in a scene together. His next film, Baazi (1995) had Aamir in the lead role, but was a failure at box office. In 2001, he collaborated with Aamir Khan in one of the iconic films of Indian cinema, Lagaan.

He later directorial ventures like Swades and Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey met with critical acclaim, but couldn’t meet with box office success. His films like What’s Your Raashee?, Mohenjo Daro and Panipat were also declared as flops. Sadly, the only hit films of his career are Lagaan and Jodha Akbar. Let’s hope, he returns with a good film.

Sanjay Gadhvi best known for Dhoom series

It can be said, Sanjay Gadhvi brought the craze of bikes to silver screen through Dhoom (2004), which was the biggest hit of the year. He also directed its sequel starring Hrithik Roshan, which was a box office hit. Apart from Dhoom series, he directed a single hit film, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai. He marked his debut with Tere Liye in 2001 and was known for his association with Yash Raj Films. He was replaced for Dhoom 3. The movie received negative reviews but was a blockbuster. Kidnap, Ajab Gazabb Love and Operation Parindey are his other films, which didn’t fare well at box office. He suffered a heart attack in November 2023, and passed away at the age of 57.

Raja Krishna Menon best known for Airlift

This ad film maker made his Bollywood debut through Bas Yun Hi in 2003, followed by Barah Aana in 2009. But it was Akshay Kumar starrer Airlift (2016), which brought him success. His 2017 film Chef starring Saif Ali Khan was a flop while Pippa (2023) received positive rave reviews. However the film went unnoticed. He is a successful name in advertising industry and has already created 300+ commercial ads.

Abhinay Deo best known for Delhi Belly

Abhinay Deo marked his Bollywood debut with Game in 2011, which was a flop. It was followed by Delhi Belly, released the same year. This dark comedy with fresh treatment was well received. Later he directed movies like Force 2 and Blackmail, which got moderate success. He also directed two seasons of the web series, 24 starring Anil Kapoor. Doosra and Savi are his other films. His recent release, Savi (2024) received favourable reviews, but was not commercially successful. We really wish, he makes a good comeback with a movie similar to Delhi Belly.

Shimit Amin best known for Chak De! India

This talented director marked his directorial debut with Ab Tak Chhappan in 2004, which received moderate success. In 2007, he directed one of the best sports-drama, Chak De! India starring Shah Rukh Khan. In 2009, he directed critically acclaimed Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. The movie gave Filmfare award for best actor (critics) for Ranbir Kapoor. However after the movie’s failure, Shimit Amin never directed a Bollywood film. Later he served as a consultant for 2013 film, Shuddh Desi Romance, his only association with Bollywood.

Dharmesh Darshan best known for Raja Hindustani and Dhadkan

Dharmesh Darshan gave the biggest romantic hit of Aamir Khan of 1990s through Raja Hindustani (1996). He started his Bollywood journey with the action film, Lootere in 1993 which was a hit. But after the success of Raja Hindustani, he switched to romantic films and delivered hit through Dhadkan. But he couldn’t repeat the success of Raja Hindustani and Dhadkan. His films like Mela, Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, Bewafaa and Aap Ki Khatir were failures. Aap Ki Khatir released in 2006 was his last film.

End note: There are many Indian directors who marked their debut before Covid pandemic and it brought a break in their careers. A few them returned with blockbusters three or four years later. When it comes to Mollywood, the first name coming to mind is Dinjith Ayyathan, who directed critically acclaimed Kakshi: Amminipilla in 2019, and went into hibernation mode. In 2024 he returned in a bang with the blockbuster Kishkindha Kaandam. I am trying to find such names from Bollywood. If you find any such director, please leave your comment.