The last quarter of 2015 will see a host of tried and tested director-actor pairs coming up with their films. Thus, while Sooraj Barjayta is teaming up with Salman Khan in Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo after three successful ventures, Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty are getting together after they tasted their first commercial success together in Chennai Express. Talking about why a hit actor-director pair usually works, trade analyst Atul Mohan points out, “Both parties involved share a comfort level with each other and are aware of their strengths and weaknesses as a team. This adds to the appeal of the finished product.” Here’s a look at the much-anticipated films that these hit teams are making.
Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale, although a multi-starrer, is being touted as a Shah Rukh Khan film. The last time the two paired up together was in Chennai Express (2013). Shetty and SRK teaming up again is good enough reason for the audience to watch the film, say experts. Plus Kajol and SRK will be seen together in this one, and that is an added bonus. Talking about working together, Shetty had recently said, “Shah Rukh is my biggest strength. If he wasn’t the producer, I don’t know if I would have been able to helm such a big film.”
Sooraj Barjatya is credited for giving Salman Khan his big debut film, Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989). They kept up the hit streak with Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994) and then Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999). Now, 16 years later, the two have come together in Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo, that also stars Sonam Kapoor. The audience will look forward to the magic that the duo are known to create in their films. “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo will bring back my sincerity and innocence. It is a family film. Get ready to cry,” Salman had earlier said.
Their film Rockstar (2011) wasn’t a blockbuster, but that hasn’t stopped actor Ranbir Kapoor and director Imtiaz Ali from collaborating again. The outcome is their latest offering, Tamasha. Imtiaz has also roped in Ranbir’s ex-flame Deepika Padukone in the film. The ex-couple have been a hit in several films, including their last cinematic outing together, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). About working with Ali, Ranbir said recently, “Imtiaz makes you unlearn what you already know. He challenges you as an actor.”
Akshay Kumar is known to be a fan of south remakes and filmmaker Prabhudheva aces them. Their last film together, Rowdy Rathore (2012) fared well at the box-office. And experts feel that the chemistry will translate on-screen this time, too, as they get together for a full-blown comedy and family entertainer in Singh is Bling. Prabhu’s last directorial outing, Action Jackson (2014), with Ajay Devgn failed to do well at the box office, but that will not stop the audience from turning up for this film, feel experts.
Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s last outing, Ram-Leela (2013), with Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone garnered a lot of critical acclaim. Now the filmmaker is repeating the hit cast in his next film, Bajirao Mastani. Talking about why he was cast again, Singh said, “Mr Bhansali has a lot of faith in my abilities and talent. He believed that I could do justice to his larger-than-life canvas, and gave me a big chance.”
Filmmaker Anees Bazmee’s Welcome that released in 2007 had actor Anil Kapoor essaying one of the lead characters. The film was a commercial success, and now Anees is back with the sequel to the film — Welcome Back, seven years later. Anil plays the same character in the sequel, and says that his on-screen avatar has undergone the least changes in the second film. Anil and Anees’ hit partnership goes back to No Entry (2005).
