Most Talked About Directors of 2016

Sports, the Harappan civilization, contemporary relationships and drug abuse all found a place in the films that released in 2016. Out of this huge barrage of stories, some stayed with us and most were forgotten. And what are films without their directors? Here are the most talked about directors of the year, and with the searing success of their films, it’s only fair that they were in the headlines.

One of this year’s most heart-touching family dramas, ‘Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921)’ had Shakun Batra at its helm. After directing the moderately successful ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’ in 2012, Batra went into a sabbatical of sorts and returned in March this year. The film boasted of hummable chartbusters, great performances, and scenes that tugged at our heartstrings.

Also Read: Shakun Batra is inspired by Woody Allen

After making ‘Chillar Party’ and ‘Bhoothnath Returns’ with children as protagonists, Nitesh Tiwari graduated to directing a film with some more children, and one of the country’s biggest superstars – Aamir Khan. In late December, his third directorial ‘Dangal’ released and got the country clapping and whistling at every ‘dhobi pachaad’ the girls landed on their opponents.

Also Read: Nitesh Tiwari: 'Dangal' shaping up quite nicely

Acclaimed ad film director Ram Madhvani went behind the camera once again, fourteen years after his feature debut. He made Sonam Kapoor deliver the best performance of her career so far as the eponymous character of ‘Neerja’. Not to forget, Madhvani had the entire nation weeping during Shabana Azmi’s speech towards the end of the film.

Also Read: Ram Madhvani: In 'Neerja', my attempt is to be uniquely Indian

Ever since he created the successful ‘Ishqiya’ franchise, Abhishek Chaubey has hardly taken a misstep. He returned with ‘Udta Punjab’, the year’s most controversial film that had the Censor Board and the film’s producers at loggerheads before its release. Once in cinema halls, all was forgotten, and the film emerged as a clear winner with its eclectic music, terrific storytelling and some stellar performances.

Also Read: Abhishek Chaubey: I was very hard-nosed about having songs in films

When he’s not judging reality shows, hosting chat shows or producing the year’s biggest blockbusters, Karan Johar manages to direct films that find a place in our hearts. KJo’s ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ was his first directorial since ‘Student of the Year’ (2012). The film boasted of all things grand – the year’s biggest album, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in lead roles, and the quintessential Dharma flavour.

Also Read: Karan Johar: 'Satya' was better-directed than 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'

His earlier films were panned by the critics, but this time around, Ali Abbas Zafar teamed up with Bhaijaan of Bollywood, Salman Khan, for ‘Sultan’. The film had Salman playing the titular character, an ageing wrestler past his prime with multiple layers to his personality. Lauded as Salman’s career-best, ‘Sultan’ is the highest grossing Bollywood film of the year so far.

Also Read: Ali Abbas Zafar to work with Sylvester Stallone in his next?