This was the only title I could find for my review on such talented beings. People can be divided into 3 categories. Firstly those who do not dream, think or improvise new ideas or visions. The second group of people who do dream, think and improvise new ideas and finally the last group who do think, dream and improvise, ideas and then do something about it.
The people I will write about, belong to the third category. These are master storyteller, technicians, etc. My review does consists of ’’my’’ choice and of those directors whose movies I have seen. Therefore, legends such as Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, Gulzar, Bimal Roy, Shyam Benegal etc will not be found here - sorry. I have chosen roughly 10 directors.
These are mainly modern day directors who I feel have contributed immensely towards the development of Indian Cinema. I have not ranked them as each director has their unique way of film making which is subjective to their opinion.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali: This is one director who created Khamoshi. Khamoshi was a movie about strong relation values of a daughter, her boyfriend and her disabled parents. Set against a background of rich and soulful music, Khamoshi was a moving drama with brilliant performances.
HDDCS, in my view is his best movie till date. The rich colourful canvas which he painted with emotions, drama, romance and confusion was simply brilliant. He introduces Ajay Devgan in a brilliant romantice role. Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan also performed with utmost ease. Devdas, is one of the most poetic movies to have been made. Sanjay’s story telling is brilliant but Devdas was a type of disappointment coming from the director of HDDCS. Nonetheless, it was one of the stronger movies to have been made in 2002.
Ram Gopal Verma: If I was to say he is a stereotyped director most of you would be shocked and think what the hell is he talking about? Ram Gopal Verma is stereotyped in the sense that he does not follow the steretype path at all, ever. His movies are a joy to watch because for a change one can expect ’’hatke’’ stuff. Hit or not is not the point for a RGV movie. It is the sheer excitement and eagerness to watch movies with a difference. His best movies in my view are Jungle, Bhoot, Kaun (I think it has the biggest twist endings ever) and other Factory products such as Ek Hasina Thi, Ab Tak Chappan, Darna Mana Hai (awaiting Darna Zaroori Hai) etc.
Note - For some reason Rangeela does not really appeal to me. I myself am not quite sure why.
J.P. Dutta - He only makes epics and movies which will be remembered for a long time. This has proved true for Ghulami, Batwara, Border, Refugee, LOC etc. Although Refugee was not quite the blockbuster as his usual movies it did have novel performances. His other movies based on war are amazing. He somehow does it better than any other director when it comes to making movies on war. He is a true mastermind who knows how to craft characterisation and screenplay. His biggest asset however, is the production at which he works and the casting he chooses. He also has a good music sense.
Rajkumar Santoshi - I will not say much about him, because I have already written a review on him (Please read review for more information), but I will comment on his ability to extract brilliant performances from the cast.
Govind Nilhani: He performs best in the art genre because his commercial movies are not welcomed. Classics like Akrosh, Ardh Satya and above all Drohkaal are amazing example of gritty writing, execution and performances. Naseerudin Shah and Om Puri have given their best in a Govind Nilhani movie. His stories and execution are highly engaging. The characterisation of Om Puri in Ardh Satya was remarkable but it was the special character of Naseerudin Shah in Ardh Satya which added to the class, as Mike Lobo. In Drohkaal, again the character sketch was brilliant. The theories and views presented in his movie are brilliant and well controlled. No other director can manage to present a detail explanation of views which are present in Govind Nilhani’s movie.
Mani Ratnam: He is one of the most critically acclaimed directors in India. Although I have not seen many of his Tamil works, I have seen all of the hindi movies which he has made. My only disappointment was Dil Se. Roja to me is his best work in Bollywood, followed by Nayakan, Dalpati, Bombay and Yuva. Roja had a gripping screenplay and again the characterisation was superb. Madhu as the wife of Arvind Swamy was excellent. Unfortunately she never really received many roles of substance afterwards. Arvind Swamy was also excellent. The army officer (i forgot his name) was marvellous with performances above Madhu and Arvind Swamy but it was Pankaj Kapoor as the terrorist who was mind blowing. His facial expressions, body language and dialect was excellent. Yuva was a novel idea not executed to its fullest impact nevertheless it was a very good enjoyable movie. In tamil, Mouna Ragam, Kanatilal Mumatilal, Nayakan are some of his superior works.
Mansoor Khan: This is a director who works from the heart. His movies have been adored especially by the younger generation. QSQT was an Indian version of Romeo and Juliet well told, with an apt ending. Akele Hum Akele Tum sensitively handled the subject of maritial problems, and Josh was similar story writing to QSQT but with a different execution. However, by far his best movie Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar is probably the best movie based on teenage years. A simple yet moving story, characters of every day college life, the contrast between their traits, the cycle races have been shown tremendously. A movie with a brilliant repeat value. In my view a notch above Dil Chahta Hai.
Yash Chopra: A brilliantly versatile director who has given Bollywood some of the biggest blockbusters ever, Deewar, Waqt, Trishul, Mashaal, Dil To Pagal Hai and now Veer Zaara looks all set to break box office records. His use of symbolism in movies defined the term mature film making. He had brilliantly used characters and represented them with symbols. I need not say much more of this legend.
Ramesh ’’Sholay’’ Sippy: I felt as if his name should be the last name on this list. He made Sholay, that in its own right is worthy of any place in any list. Two movies of his which I feel are remarkable are Sholay and Shakti. Sholay was a brilliant epic...PLEASE READ MY REVIEW ON IT...and Shakti is one of the brilliantly casted tense movies of all times. The silent struggle expressed in actions rather than words between the father and son is displayed with perfection. Both Amitabh Bachan and Dilip Kumar gave career defining performances.