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This article was first published 9 years ago

The 10 MOST Successful Directorial Debuts in Bollywood

July 30, 2014 10:01 IST

Image: Sajid Nadiadwala and Salman Khan
Photographs: Abhijit Mhamunkar Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Sajid Nadiadwala is the latest first-time HIT director.

Very few directors enter the exclusive club of Rs 100 crore movies in their first attempt itself, and Sajid Nadiadwala is one of the lucky ones.

Of course, with Salman Khan's record-making winning streak in play, Nadiadwala could not have gone wrong at all.

So their film Kick is marching up to box office glory.

A veteran producer with an experience of 25 years, the year has been very good for Nadiadwala. He's already seen hits like 2 States and Heropanti, and Highway found critical acclaim.

Nadiadwala will now join this illustrious list of directors, who have made blockbusters in their very first attempt. Take a look.

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Arbaaz Khan, Dabangg 2

Image: Salman Khan in Dabangg 2
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Arbaaz KhanWhen Arbaaz Khan took over the directorial reigns from Abhinav Kashyap to take the Dabangg franchise forward, many wondered if the film would maintain its sheen.

As it turned out, the man delivered, and how. Dabangg 2 went on to take a bigger opening than Dabangg.

Box office collection: Rs 155 crores

Read the review here

Siddique, Bodyguard

Image: Salman Khan in Bodyguard
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

SiddiqueThough Siddique has directed quite a few films down South, Bodyguard was his first Bollywood outing.

Bodyguard did not fetch too many good reviews but audiences came in large numbers to have a dekho at what Salman had to offer.

It is surprising, however, that Siddique hasn't directed another Hindi film.

Box office collection: 149 crores

Read the review here

Abhinav Kashyap, Dabangg

Image: Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha in Dabangg
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Abhinav KashyapAbhinav Kashyap seemed to prove that talent ran in the family, when he directed Dabangg, and made it a blockbuster.

Later, creative difference sprang up between up, and Arbaaz Khan, and his brother Anurag Kashyap jumped into the fray as well.

It was shocking, however, to see Abhinav go down from Dabangg to Besharam.

Box office collection: Rs 139 crores

Read the review here

Karan Malhotra, Agneepath

Image: Priyanka Chopra and Hrithik Roshan in Agneepath
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Karan MalhotraTo take charge of a cult film and remake it is no mean feat, especially when it is your very first.

However, Karan Malhotra took up the challenge and remade Agneepath.

The most violent film to have come out of Karan Johar's stable, Hrithik Roshan-Priyanka Chopra's Agneepath bore its distinct stamp.

Box office collection: Rs 115 crores

Read the review here

AR Murugadoss, Ghajini

Image: Aamir Khan in Ghajini
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

A.R. MurugadossFounder of the Rs 100 crore club, AR Murugadoss delivered hits down south before making his debut in Bollywood.

He joined hands with Aamir Khan for the action film Ghajini.

Smart packaging, execution and marketing resulted in the film becoming a huge hit.

Interestingly, Murugadoss delivered another hit this year, with Holiday.

Box office collection: Rs 114 crores

Read the review here

Abhishek Varman, 2 States

Image: Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor in 2 States
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Abhishek VarmanA family entertainer that managed to grow well on word-of-mouth, 2 States is one of the biggest releases directed by a debutant this year.

Chances are that not many know (even within the film industry) what Abhishek Varman looks like!

Box office collection: Rs 102 crores

Read the review here

Shashank Khaitan, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya

Image: Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Shashank KhaitanIt was meant to be a quickie film, to keep the ball rolling for producer Karan Johar and his cast Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, even as they planned bigger outings for the future.

The man entrusted to do the job was Shashank Khaitan, an in-house director at Dharma Productions.

The youngster went on to deliver the goods, and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya became a huge hit.

Box office collection: Rs 75 crores

Read the review here

Prabhu Dheva, Wanted

Image: Salman Khan in Wanted
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Prabhu DhevaPrabhu Dheva brought with him a totally different mode of storytelling and redefined the 'masala' movie.

His first ever Hindi film Wanted resurrected Salman Khan’s career, and sent him off on a record-making career.

Box office collections: Rs 61 crores

Read the review here

Aamir Khan, Taare Zameen Par

Image: Aamir Khan in Taare Zameen Par
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Aamir Khan has proved himself behind the camera as well.

Taare Zameen Par continues to be loved by everyone, and is the biggest commercial success in current times for a debutant director.

Box office collection: Rs 60 crores

Read the review here

Ali Abbas Zafar, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan

Image: Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
Joginder Tuteja/ Rediff.com in Mumbai

Ali Abbas ZafarAditya Chopra continues to invest in new talent, and Ali Abbas Zafar is his latest find.

The youngster came up with a feel-good romcom musical Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, with Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif and Ali Zafar.

Ali went on to score higher with his next film, Gunday.

Box office collection: Rs 60 crores

Read the review here