Two films of different genres arrived in the cinemas on March 22, both helmed by individuals known for their work as actors. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, which is based on the life and times of politician, activist and author Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, has been directed by Randeep Hooda. Madgaon Express, a lighthearted comedy, has been helmed by Kunal Khemu. Hooda’s political drama, whose highlight is the actor-director’s brilliant performance as the protagonist, takes us deep inside the life of an important figure of modern Indian history. Madgaon Express, on the other hand, attempts to entertain the viewer and mostly succeeds.
The release of Swatantrya Veer Savarkar and Madgaon Express on March 22 is the first time two directorial debuts of Bollywood actors have hit the marquee on the same day. However, the list of actors who have gone on to direct films in the past is a long one. A few have directed that one-off film. Some have been far more successful as directors. Common to all of them is the fact that they have tried.
One of the most significant actor-directors of Hindi commercial cinema, Raj Kapoor, made several popular films, including Barsaat, Awaara, Shree 420, Sangam, Bobby and Ram Teri Ganga Maili. The highlight of Dev Anand’s directorial debut Prem Pujari is SD Burman’s superb music. Hare Rama Hare Krishna facilitated Zeenat Aman’s rise to stardom. However, Dev Anand also delivered a string of forgettable failures. Had he not made those films, his filmography would have been far more impressive.
The uniquely versatile Kishore Kumar directed 12 films, but his special singing voice is what he is remembered for. Around a decade younger than Kumar, the prolific actor Asrani has directed a few films, among them the box-office disaster Chala Murari Hero Banne. The modern-day filmgoer’s fondest memory of Asrani’s work is, however, his role as the quirky jailer in Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay.
A director receives a lot of applause after a film’s success, and an equal amount of criticism before and after a failure on most occasions. Moreover, the task of helming a film poses a different set of challenges that not every actor wants to accept. Not surprising, therefore, is the number of actors who have occupied the director’s chair briefly in their otherwise long careers as film industry professionals.
Expectations rose sky-high when the brilliant Naseeruddin Shah sat on the director’s chair to helm Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota, a well-received film. Sadly, Naseer never directed another film. Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par received the kind of appreciation it deserves. However, the film is his only directorial venture. Hema Malini directed Dil Aashna Hai, one of the early films of Shah Rukh Khan. She returned to the director’s chair almost two decades later with Tell Me O Kkhuda. Neither performed at the box office. Sunny Deol directed Dillagi, followed by Ghayal Once Again and Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas. It is because of his work as a star of the masses that Deol is popular, and his latest film, Anil Sharma’s Gadar 2, has helped him regain his appeal.
A few actors did not make an impact with their performances in front of the camera, but they went on to become successful directors. The most prominent story is of Subhash Ghai, whose acting roles include his appearance as the hero’s friend in Shakti Samanta’s Aradhana. Ghai debuted as a writer-director with Kalicharan. His commercial successes include Vishwanath, Karz, Hero, Vidhaata, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Pardes and Taal. During his best days in the 80s and 90s, he was one of the most successful and popular directors in Bollywood.
After debuting on the big screen with Ketan Mehta’s Holi, Ashutosh Gowariker could not do much as an actor. Gowariker tasted significant success for the first time after directing Lagaan, his Oscar-nominated film. Swades, a surprising commercial failure, followed. After Jodhaa Akbar’s success, he has experienced a series of setbacks at the box office. Abhishek Kapoor, who also started as an actor, switched to direction. The highlights of his career are Rock On!!, Kai Po Che! and Kedarnath. Of course, Gowariker and the younger Kapoor will direct more films in future. Can they emulate their best from the past? The answer is obvious. What has been done once can be done – even bettered – later.
Rakesh Roshan appeared in more than 80 films as an actor. But, the fact is that he has been far more successful as a director of commercial films, several of them featuring his superstar son Hrithik Roshan as the male lead. Among his successes are films like Khoon Bhari Maang, Kishen Kanhaiya, Karan Arjun, Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai, Koi…Mil Gaya and its equally popular sequels of the Krrish series. Roshan, who is reportedly working on his long-delayed project Krrish 4, is a rare actor-director with a five-decade-long career in the industry.
If there is one modern-day superstar who wants to make more films in future, that person is Ajay Devgn. Some believe he is an underrated director, while others emphasise the fact that none of his directed ventures have become significant commercial successes. He has directed U Me Aur Hum, Shivaay, Bholaa and Runway 34 so far. And, he is perfectly capable of delivering some pleasant surprises – if he chooses better scripts in future.
As long as films get made, a few actors of every generation will go on to make films. Some will also appear in significant roles in their self-directed films. Others will helm one-off films. Rarely will a successful actor also become an equally successful director. What will motivate all of them is the hope of making well-appreciated and successful films, regardless of how well they might have fared as actors.
The writer, a journalist for three decades, writes on literature and pop culture. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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