Top 10 Game-Changing Bollywood Directors of the Last Decade

The Indian film industry, or #Bollywood as it is referred to, has grown by leaps and bounds in the past two decades. While box office collections of a successful Hindi film crossing 100 crores has more or less become the norm, many wannabe blockbusters and expensive multi-starrers have bit the dust. 

Now the shift is towards more realistic, slice-of-life movies that tread the middle line between art and commercial cinema. Compared to the decade before, the last few years have seen an explosion of middle-of-the-road cinema that is true to life and doesn't shy away from exploring complex issues.

The shift in approach or treatment has been the handiwork of a few selected #Bollywood directors in the past decade, who have enjoyed tremendous commercial success as well. 

Among the best-known Bollywood Directors, we can list the following, whose films have made an impact as well as raked in the profits:

• Rajkumar Hirani : Leading the list is Rajkumar or Raju Hirani, who has given blockbusters like 3 Idiots, the Munnabhai films, PK and Sanju. Each of this maverick director's films is loaded with entertainment, combined with a social message for viewers. Raju Hirani has changed the Bollywood game with his unique take on social issues. Some of his films have become the highest grossing films of the past decade. His latest, Sanju crossed 300 crores, while 3 Idiots grossed over 200 crores. 
• Kabir Khan : Another game changer in Bollywood. His Ek Tha Tiger, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and Tiger Zinda Hai (he produced this one) were blockbusters.
• Sanjay Leela Bhansali : He changed the entire format of the Hindi film, taking it to a scale and opulence unimagined before. Padmavat, Bajirao Mastani, Goliyon ki Raas leela: Ram Leela, and Devdas have done exceedingly well. He can also be credited with introducing some of the most popular faces and voices in Bollywood.
• Karan Johar : Undoubtedly, the master of candy-floss cinema and a formidable name in #Bollywood is Karan Johar. He had a penchant for producing hugely successful bubblegum romances like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Student of the Year. He also made some serious films like My Name is Khan, and Kabhi Alvida na Kehna, both of which were hits. He is the unnamed godfather of #Bollywood, and has introduced superstars like Rani Mukheri, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhavan and Siddharth Malhotra His production house has backed some thought provoking films like Dear Zindagi, Kapoor and Sons, and Raazi.
• Aditya Chopra : Scion of Yash Raj Films, and another #Bollywood heavyweight, he made huge hits like the iconic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, and Rab ne Bana Di Jodi. Of late, he has backed meaningful, small-budget cinema like Hichki and Mardani.
• Shoojit Sircar : The Bengali middle-class director, who shone among the giants with unpretentious, slice-of-life cinema like Vicky Donor, Piku, Madras Cafe, and October. He produced the phenomenal film Pink, that created a movement of sorts with its strong message.
• Zoya Akhtar : The first lady to break into the all-men's league of 100 crore film directors, Zoya is known for her hugely entertaining, true-to-life, relatable cinema. Though her debut was the critically acclaimed, though not so successful Luck by Chance, she proved her mettle with Zindagi na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do, and Gully Boy. She is now a name to reckon with, and seems to have the Midas touch.
• Imtiaz Ali : An erratic genius, he has made hugely successful and entertaining films like the iconic Jab We Met, Love Aajkal, Rockstar and Tamasha. His best was arguably the road film, Highway, which was a shift from hardcore commercial cinema to more serious issue-based films. But he disappointed viewers with his latest film, Jab Harry Met Sally.
• Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra: Another director who has given us the spectacular Rang De Basanti, and the impactful Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. However, he has also let us down with Aks and Mirzya.
• Meghana Gulzar and Ashwini Iyer Tiwari: These two lady directors have been hugely successful in the last five years. Meghana gave us the thought-provoking Talwar and brilliant Raazi. Ashwini dazzled with Nil Batte Sannata and Bareilli ki Barfi. Encouraging signs that Bollywood is now acknowledging talent beyond gender. The last films of both these directors have crossed the 100 crore mark, while being meaningful.

I am sure readers will rue that I have not added the names of Mani Ratnam, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anand L. Rai, Nitish Tiwari, Vikas Behl, and many others in this list. But the former two have stopped giving us remarkable Hindi films since the past fifteen years, and the latter directors are more or less one-film geniuses. 

Here's hoping many more are added to the list, particularly more women directors. And I hope we don't have to refer to them by their gender either. 

Cheers to #Bollywood!