By Rinky Kumar, Team iDiva
They entertained us on the small screen with their innovative and interesting television programmes. A brief stint on the small screen and they moved on to the big screen and went on become successful film-makers.
But we sincerely hope that these young turks come back with a vengeance to entertain us and revive our love for TV. After all, we have stopped watching those crappy regressive operas where the protagonist, clad in Kanjeevaram saris and oodles of make-up, is either scheming or weeping.
1) Imtiaz Ali
He's known for a certain amount of sensitivity and a touch of reality that he lends his characters. After entertaining us with simple yet heart-rending films like Socha Na Tha and Jab we Met, we want to see more of Imtiaz Ali on the small screen. Few would know that this talented film-maker started off his career directing television serials like Purushetraa for Zee TV and Imtihaan for Star Plus in mid 90s. Even then, we could see Ali's magical touch.
In an earlier interview, the curly-haired director had said, "The starting point of my imagination is the reality around me. Writing to me is recording the pictures and ideas I have in my mind so that I can direct them."
He's currently working with Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone on Love Aaj Kal. We can't wait to watch it.
2) Anurag Kashyap
Gritty characters, a tight story line and realism personified, that's what his films are made of. We absolutely admire Anurag Kashyap's guts and determination to wade against the tide and give us something that we have never seen before. He shocked our sensibilities with the gripping Black Friday first and followed it up with the mind-boggling No Smoking.
The script-writer-turned-director first showed his art on television with short films on Star Bestsellers. This long-forgotten series showcased one-hour tele-films by young directors. Kashyap directed a spine-chilling thriller Last train to Mahakali for this series.
We are waiting with bated breath for his soon-to-be-released Dev D.
3) Sriram Raghavan
He re-invented the term Film noir in Bollywood. Both his movies were crime dramas where the protagonists were sexually motivated to do gory acts for more money. Sriram Raghavan gave us two brilliant films - Ek Hasina Thi and Johhny Gaddar and proved that chocolate boys (Saif Ali Khan and Neil Nitin Mukesh) can be killers too.
This maverick film-maker first showed his prowess on television by producing a 45-minute documentary film on the Indian serial killer Raman Raghav. He followed it up with Star Bestsellers where he directed some thrillers too starring Kay Kay Menon.
No marks for guessing his next film is a thriller too. Agent Vinod, starring Saif Ali Khan, will be Raghavan's tribute to the secret agent.
Idiva.com, Feb 3, 2009
