M-town directors who directed Bollywood films

Many Malayalam directors, who gave huge hits in M-town, later ventured into Bollywood to try their luck. These Malayalam film directors either remade their own films in Bollywood or made a complete new film in the Hindi film industry. Here is a list of some Malayalam film directors who tried their luck in Bollywood...

Priyadarshan

Padma Shri honoured director Priyadarshan is one of the most brilliant directors in M-town Priyadarshan made his directorial debut in the Malayalam film industry with the film Poochakkoru Mookkuthi in the year 1984. Priyadarshan is popularly known for his excellent films like Vellanakalude Nadu, Kala Pani, Kanchivaram, Thenmavin Kombath and many more.
Priyadarshan made his debut as a director in the Bollywood film industry with the film Muskurahat starring Jay Mehta, Revathi and Amrish Puri in the lead roles. Muskurahat released in the year 1992. It was a remake of his own Malayalam film Kilukkam starring Mohanlal and Revathi. Reportedly, Kilukkam was a box office hit but Muskurahat failed to impress the audience. Priyadarshan didn’t give up here and he further went to direct more films in Bollywood including Hera Pheri, Hungama, Garam Masala, Kyon Ki, Bhaagam Bhaag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa to name a few.

Siddique

Malayalam director Siddique started his career as an assistant director to Fazil. Later, Siddique teamed up with Lal and directed many films. The duo was popularly known as Siddique-Lal. Later, the duo split-up and Siddique started directing his own films. Siddique gave many hits in Malayalam film industry such as Ramji Rao Speaking, Hitler, Friends, Bodyguard (Malayalam) etc.
He entered into Bollywood in the year 2011, with a remake of his Malayalam film Bodyguard. His Bollywood film Bodyguard stars Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in lead roles. Hindi film Bodyguard reportedly became one of the biggest grosser of 2011.

Sangeeth Sivan

Santosh Sivan’s brother, Sangeeth Sivan is another prominent name from M-town. He made his directorial debut with the movie Vyooham, in the year 1990. He is well–known for his movie Yodha.
Sangeeth Sivan made his debut in Bollywood as a director with the film Zor in the year 1998. Sangeeth Sivan also directed other Bollywood movies like Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, Apna Sapna Money Money and Yamla Pagla Deewana 2.

I. V. Sasi

National Film Award winner I. V. Sasi started his career as a director with the film Utsavam in the year 1975. Reportedly, I. V. Sasi has directed 150 Indian films in various languages and genres. Sasi won The Nargis Dutt Award for the Best Feature film on National Integration for the film Aaroodam.
I. V. Sasi debuted in Bollywood with the film Man Ka Aangan. The film stars Basi Bahadur, Adoor Bhawani, and Kanaka Durga in the lead roles. His second Bollywood film was Patita. Patita was released in the year 1980 and stars Mithun Chakraborty, Shoma Anand and Raj Kiran in lead roles. I. V. Sasi also directed Bollywood films Karishma (1984) and Anokha Rishta (1986).

T. K. Rajeev Kumar

National Award winning director T. K. Rajeev Kumar made several Malayalam films. Reportedly, his short film on Rain Harvesting, Palathulli won the UN International Award for the Best film for Campaign.
Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya was his first directorial venture in Bollywood. The film was released in the year 2000 and stars Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala. He later directed Hindi films like Chal Chala Chal (2009) and Kushti (2010).