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Do these stars make good producers? A Report Card
Now that Salman Khan, at least officially, is a listed producer with Chillar Party, the circle seems to be somewhat complete. Which is to say that the cream-lot of filmdom have seamlessly moved from acting to production.
Fair enough, but how successful have they been in doing so? Who are the best actor-producers? How creative have they been in their endeavours and whenever they have taken a risk, has that worked or backfired?
Here's a look at actors who've made the cut as producers and those who haven't.
Aamir Khan
Production company: Aamir Khan Productions Pvt Ltd
Let's begin with the best. Mr Perfectionist has not only been successful in picking the right projects as an actor but has also invested his money where his mouth is as a producer. More often than not, he has left many open-mouthed with his phenomenal ability to mix commerce with art.
He's meticulous, takes his own time, cherry-picks his scripts and irrespective of rumours of ghost-direction, Aamir is that rare star who's not afraid of launching new talent.
Whether it is Ashutosh Gowariker when nobody was touching his Lagaan, to Abbas Tyrewala, Anusha Rizvi, Abhinay Deo or wife Kiran Rao, this Khan can.
Hits: Lagaan, Taare Zameen Par, Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, Peepli [Live] and Dhobi Ghat
Misses: None
Producer-o-meter: 10/10 (so far and it looks like Dehli Belly will help Aamir retain that)
Shah Rukh Khan
Production company: Red Chillies Entertainment Ltd
"He gets a great opening," the trade has this readymade refrain every time they are asked about the commercial side of a Shah Rukh Khan movie. As an actor, he's delivered his biggest hits with the Johars and Chopras. However, the same cannot be said when King Khan is at the helm of affairs.
Although a great presence, overseer and a marketer, SRK has shown little skill in selecting the films he opts to produce. Always Kabhi Kabhi, his upcoming venture directed by Roshan Abbas, is being looked at as a face-saver, a film that he is clearly pitching straight at the campus-dwellers: a safe bet, one would say. Ra.One, his sci-fi superhero flick, is however the big one in terms of market share.
Hits: Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om and Billu
Misses: Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (produced under Dreamz Unlimited), Asoka, Chalte Chalte, Kaal and Paheli
Producer-o-meter: 7/10
Amitabh Bachchan
Production company: AB Corp
First, it was ABCL that the country's top superstar floated, burnt his fingers and realised that a rejig is the need of the hour. Next we know Big B came up with the cool-sounding AB Corp. Compared to his superstar status, Bachchan's producer credit appears tepid, almost nothing.
He's actively involved in his productions, acts in them and performs other roles though he's not known to interfere during the filming and lets the director take charge.
Hits: Paa (Bbuddah... Hoga Tera Baap looks like it'll be an ace up his sleeve)
Misses: Tere Mere Sapne, Saat Rang Ke Sapne, Mrityudaata, Major Saab, Aks and Viruddh
Producer-o-meter: 4/10
Ajay Devgn
Production company: Ajay Devgn Films
A late bloomer, Ajay resuscitated his film company post the success of All the Best. He produces few films, mostly his own. He's found his comfort zone with director pal Rohit Shetty and together, they are working on another comedy titled Bol Bachchan (it co-stars Junior B, for the record).
Ajay seems to be content with his output (a total of three thus far) as a producer and appears to be in no hurry to reach the top slot. Which is why Ajay could prove to be archetype of the classic case of slow and steady wins the race. After all, never say never in show business.
Hits: All the Best
Misses: Raju Chacha and U, Me Aur Hum
Producer-o-meter: 5/10
Akshay Kumar
Production company: Hari Om Entertainment Co.
Akshay's run as a producer coincided, in recent years, with his acting. Instead of complementing one another, they produced disastrous results. Akshay has proved to be the wrong guy to be in production and we aren't the one wishing to be the bearer of bad tidings. Look at his long list of turkeys and you'll know why the otherwise gifted actor (yes, he still the spark) has failed in his duties as a producer.
The only cure for this, observe experts, is that Akshay promptly abandon those similar-looking, no-laughter comedies (purported) which is being routinely passed off as cinema.
Bottomline is: Take Risk. And we aren't suggesting Khatron ke Khiladi.
Hits: Singh is Kinng
Misses: De Dhana Dhan, Khatta Meetha, Action Replayy, Tees Maar Khan, Patiala House, Thank You
Producer-o-meter: 3/10
Saif Ali Khan
Production company: Illuminati Films
Now this Khan has vision and Vijan, both. Having met Dinesh Vijan during the cocky Being Cyrus, Saif joined hands with him to make the kind of films he wanted to see. The result, one must add, did surprise everyone. His Love Aaj Kal did brisk business and brought Saif back into the reckoning; not only as an actor but also as a man who can handle production sensibly.
Saif is cool-headed, is known to be involved in intense discussions with his directors and is always keen to share his inputs. No wonder, bets are high on his next, Agent Vinod.
Hits: Love Aaj Kal
Misses: None
Producer-o-meter: 8/10
Sanjay Dutt
Production company: Sanjay Dutt Productions Pvt. Ltd
Sanjay met his namesake, Sanjay Gupta, during Thanedaar, a largely forgettable film that the two worked on. Friendship struck and they remained allies for life, promised that they wouldn't leave each other and even formed a banner, White Feather Films. It made mediocre pictures and was in not-so-good shape when there emerged a rift between them.
A bitter Dutt went on to produce individually but his lack of effort underline most of his productions. Downside is that the actor doesn't think out-of-the-box and seeks refuge in tried-and-tested formulas, often giving preference to undeserving friends over talented nobodies.
Hits: Shootout at Lokhandwala and Kaante
Misses: Zinda, Dus Kahaniyaan, Plan and Musafir
Producer-o-meter: 6/10
Anil Kapoor
Production company: Anil Kapoor Films Company
Being a producer's brother (Boney Kapoor), one expects the Slumdog Millionaire's quiz show host to exhibit some flair when it comes production. Tsk tsk, Anil is a far better actor than a producer and his track record merely confirms that.
His choice of scripts and directors such as Neeraj Vora, Satish Kaushik and Jijy Philip may have let him down. It may be his own misdoings.
His Aisha, starring daughter Sonam and the multi-starrer comedy No Problem, tanked disastrously leaving the actor to put in some more thought in upcoming ventures.
Hits: Gandhi My Father
Misses: Badhaai Ho Badhaai, My Wife's Murder, Short Kut, Aisha and No Problem
Producer-o-meter: 3/10
Suniel Shetty
Production company: Popcorn Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd
A dabbler in the real sense, Suniel straddles different worlds. He has his fingers in several businesses, including hoteling and fashion. So, when Suniel launched his banner, it looked like he will see it through and with most of the top actors being his friends, one assumed he would be able to pull off commercial biggies.
There were stars but the films didn't succeed. Then, there were rumours of his fallout with Sanjay Dutt. He insisted all's well but it did bring down the stakes considerably.
Hits: None
Misses: EMI, Mission Istaanbul, Bhagam Bhag, Rakht and Khel
Producer-o-meter: 2/10
Dharmendra
Production company: Vijayta Films
The Deols are back in form post Yamla Pagla Deewana, so much so that they have decided to produce its sequel under their own banner. There's some positive word on the Ghayal sequel, too and if the two films work, there would be no stopping Dharmendra.
In these many years, the vetactor (veteran actor, we mean) has produced few films of which most of them have been pleasant, if not huge money-spinners. He's clearly not putting himself up for competition and is rather happy playing producer to sons, Sunny and Bobby.
Hits: Ghayal, Barsaat and Socha Na Tha
Misses: Dillagi, Indian and Shaheed
Producer-o-meter: 6/10