Debutant filmmakers rules the Bollywood

Why are critically acclaimed first-time filmmakers wary of making seconds?
Gone are the days when only candyfloss cinema in Bollywood fetched acclaim. When a film had to have a half-done rape sequence to define the role of the hero.
Debutant filmmakers have been ruling the industry and these guys have been critically praised for their use of technique, understanding of content.
But why haven’t they made their second films even two years later? Are they once bitten twice shy because their debuts didn’t fetch them enough money? Here’s a lowdown on a few of them.
Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Director: Reema Kagti
Release Date: 23rd February 2007
Not only did this film have a brilliant line of actors, it had a great script and a novel Radio-style voiceover that impressed many. Though the superhero bit was over the top, Abhay Deol’s admirable performance saved the day and the film was a hit for sure.
Added to this of course, was a fantastic line of hit songs. But despite all of that, Reema Kagti has failed to come up with her second film since then. There were rumours that Aamir Khan was supposed to do Reema’s next film but the project failed to materialise.
Pyaar Ke Side Effects
Director: Saket Chaudhary
Release Date: 15th September 2006
Saket Chaudhary’s film Pyaar Ke Side Effects didn’t win its accolades because of the sultry Mallika Sherawat. There were speculations about her being oddly paired with Rahul Bose. But Saket managed to hit the jackpot at the box-office apart from getting critical acclaim. It’s been three and a half years since then and he is yet to take his second film on the floors. There were rumors that he was in talks with Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor for his next film but it fizzled out. Recession ke side effects?
A Wednesday
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Release Date: 5th September 2008
Neeraj Pandey surprised everyone with his film A Wednesday; a story strong enough to grip you from the very start and keep you on the edge of your seats till the end. Of course, credit has to go to Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher as well.
This film was lying in the cold storage for almost two years before its release. The story of a common man going to desperate heights to prove his point and in turn wreaking havoc in a busy city, was a cult hit amongst audiences of different ages and diverse social backgrounds. Pandey went on to sign multiple films after this but none of those have seen the light of day.
EK Chalis ki last local
Director: Sanjay Khanduri
Release Date: 18th May 2007
Sanjay Khaduri’s debut film Ek Chalis Ki Last Local released with zero expectations and minimum publicity. The lack of awareness didn’t help the film’s opening collections. However the critics loved it and the film is still being talked about for its novel concept and good performances. Kandhuri was a hit overnight and was signed by many filmmakers including Venus and Vipul Shah. But Sanjay is still to announce his second film. We don’t want to miss this one!
Being Cyrus
Director: Homi Adajania
Release Date: 24 March 2006
Homi Adajania’s debut Being Cyrus was a film that was called way ahead of its time in its use of language, after all the twisted character Saif Ali Khan portrays does convolute even simple sentences in English.
The film also had some extraordinarily powerful performances like that of Dimple Kapadia’s and a comically macabre portrayal of the inner workings of a quaint Parsi family, which was loved by the critics. The film managed to tickle you at times and reduce you to tears at others.
Very few scripts are able to achieve that. Plus, the cinematography and innovative camera angles were quite laudable. More than four years later, Homi is yet to even announce his second film.
Manorama six feet under
Director: Navdeep Singh
Release Date: 21st September 2007
Abhay Deol starrer Manorama Six Feet Under was an intensely layered film, which the critics loved. But the film didn’t work at the box-office. The mystery behind Manorama’s disappearance had everyone hooked and Abhay’s and Sarika’s performances were noteworthy.
Almost three years later Navdeep is yet to make his second film. He was scheduled to make Basra with Akshaye Khanna and Vidya Balan but differences with the producer Nikhil Advani didn’t help its cause.
Abhay Deol did come to Navdeep’s aid but the recession hit the film and is yet to go on the floors.
Mumbai Meri Jaan
Director: Nishikant Kamat
Release Date: 22nd August 2008
Nishikant Kamat hit headlines when his Marathi film Dombivali Fast gathered all lot of attention. He was quickly signed by UTV to make Mumbai Meri Jaan, a film based on the series of train blasts in Mumbai. Kamat made a sensitive film and everyone praised it.
But even two years down the line Kamat has not been able to make his second film. He is scheduled to direct the Hindi version of the South super hit Khakha Khakha but the film has been delayed for reasons best known to the producers.
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