We look at some maverick filmmakers who made movies that were way ahead of the time
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Satyajit Ray – (1921-1992)
Regarded as one of the greats in world cinema, Ray has won many national and international awards during his career spanning over 40 years. He directed 36 films, including features, documentaries and short movies.
Ray's first film Pather Panchali in 1955 won multiple international awards, including Best Human Documentary at the Cannes Film Festival. He also received 32 national awards and an Oscar award in 1992 for his contribution to cinema. He made films like Apu Trilogy, Charulata, Pather Panchali, Mahanagar, Teen Kanya, Abhijan, Kapurush O Mahapurush among others.
Bimal Roy – (1909-1966)
Bimal Roy was one of the most acclaimed directors that the country has ever produced He was particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films like Do Bigha Zameen, Parineeta, Biraj Bahu, Madhumati, Sujata and Bandhini, making him not only a successful director but also a recipient of a number of awards throughout his career including two national awards.
He was famous for his romantic-realistic melodramas that took on important social issues while still being entertaining.
Guru Dutt – (1925-1965)
Writer, director, producer and actor, Guru Dutt made much talked-about films like Baazi, Jaal, Baaz, Mr. And Mrs. 55 and Pyaasa.
He was apparently heartbroken when his most ambitious film Kaagaz Ke Phool bombed at the box office. Ironically, it is now listed among the classics. His troubled personal life often made headlines and he died a mysterious death in October 1964.
Raj Kapoor – (1924-1988)
Raj Kapoor--the biggest showman in Indian cinema--made some path-breaking movies as well as very successful commercial films.
Son of legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor, his legacy continues till date. Some of the greatest films directed by him include Aag, Barsaat, Awaara, Shree 420, Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Prem Rog and Ram Teri Ganga Maili.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee – (1922-2006)
Popularly known as Hrishi-da, he directed 42 films during his career spanning over four decades, and was renowned for his social films that reflected the changing mindset of the middle class.
Mukherjee carved a middle path between the extravagance of mainstream cinema and the stark realism of art cinema. He made some landmark cinema in the form of Milli, Chupke Chupke, Khoobsurat, Bawarchi, Jhoothi, Namak Haram, Anand, Abhimaan to name a few.
Vijay Anand – (1934-2004)
Vijay Anand, known as Goldie, was legendary actor and filmmaker Dev Anand’s brother. Some of his popular works include Guide, Johny Mera Naam, Kala Bazaar, Teesri Manzil, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Jewel Thief, Tere Mera Sapne among others.
Goldie made a successful debut with Nau Do Gyaarah. Guide, which got him international acclaim, is still considered a classic.
Yash Chopra – (1932-2012)
Arguable, of India’s most prolific filmmakers, Yash Chopra was not known as the ‘King of Romance’ for nothing! Some of his best works include blockbusters like Daag, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhi, Chandni, Daar, Lamhe, Dil To Paagal Hai Veera Zaara and Jab Tak Hai Jaan.
He also made some cult classic like Trishul, Deewar, Maashal, Waqt and Ittefaq among others. From being an assistant director to his elder brother B.R. Chopra to establishing the biggest production house in the country, Yashji earned the respect of one and all.
Manmohan Desai – (1937 – 1994)
Manmohan Desai can be best described as the father of commercial cinema. He was known for his family-centric, action-song-and-dance films that catered to the Indian masses.
His movies gave birth to a new genre called “masala” films. Some of his blockbusters include Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer, Naseeb, Suhaag, Parvarish, Coolie, Mard, and Desh Premee among others. He had a string of hits with Amitabh Bachchan in the ‘70s and the early ‘80s, propelling Bachchan’s career great heights.
Mukul Anand – (1951 – 1997)
Mukul S. Anand made his debut as a director with the suspense thriller Kanoon Kya Karega, followed by Aitbaar. The film that first gave him recognition was the epic Sultanat in (1986), which starred real-life father and son Dharmendra and Sunny Deol.
However, he found success with Insaaf that re-introduced Vinod Khanna, followed by Mahasangram. He finally hit the big league with Agneepath in 1990, followed by Hum in 1991 and Khuda Gawaah in 1992. His last film Trimurti was a box office disaster. At the time of his death, he was working on another multi-starrer Dus that remained incomplete and unreleased.
Mansoor Khan
Son of filmmaker Nasir Hussain, Mansoor Khan made his directorial debut with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), which incidentally launched the career of one of the biggest stars of the country--Aamir Khan.
He followed this success four years later with another superhit Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. His other two films Akele Tum Akele Hum and Josh were average hits. Currently, he has no plans to direct any other film. He is now settled in Coonoor in Tamil Nadu where he indulges in farming and other social causes.
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