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The 10 MOST Successful Directorial Debuts in Bollywood
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
When 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
Siddique, Bodyguard
Though 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
Abhinav Kashyap, Dabangg
Abhinav 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
Karan Malhotra, Agneepath
To 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
AR Murugadoss, Ghajini
Founder 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
Abhishek Varman, 2 States
A 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
Shashank Khaitan, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya
It 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
Prabhu Dheva, Wanted
Prabhu 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
Aamir Khan, Taare Zameen Par
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
Ali Abbas Zafar, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
Aditya 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