6. Raksha Mistry - Hasnain Hyderabadwala - The Killer
Bhatts have been known to market their films aggressively, especially when newcomers are at the helm of direction. While directors like Anurag Basu and Mohit Suri have gained from the smart strategy adopted by Bhatts in placing their films in the market, it was quite a surprise to see a low key release of 'The Killer'. Average music didn't help the cause either. Result? A decent effort by first time director duo of Raksha Mistry and Hasnain Hyderabadwala went relatively unnoticed at the box office. A fair entertainer, it also suffered since the entire cast and crew openly proclaimed about the film being a take off on Tom Cruise starrer 'The Collateral', hence resulting in a some negative press days before the film's release.
7. Sachin Bajaj - Naksha
Those who have watched Sunny Deol-Viveik Oberoi starrer 'Naksha' would agree that the film did entertain if one ventured into the theatres to watch a 'masala' entertainer! Sachin Bajaj's directorial debut suffered from the fact that it wasn't even seen in the major cities/multiplexes due to pre-conceived notions about the movie and its keeping-low-on-box-office star cast. Sachin Bajaj had done his homework well before starting this mythological meet fantasy meet adventure tale and hence it would have been heart breaking to see an entire effort going down the drain due to the film's below average performance. The guy certainly needs another chance.
8. Homi Adajania - Being Cyrus
Just like 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', even 'Being Cyrus' was ready for years, though not for the same time as the former. When released, it impressed its target audience - the urban crowds and brought to fore a new facet of Saif Ali Khan! English being the film's official language was hardly a hindrance as Homi Adajania knew what was best for his film. Not belonging to a particular genre, the film came close to being a dark comedy cum thriller and marked the arrival of yet another promising film maker. Are the big daddies of corporate film making houses listening?
9. Vikram Chopra - Fight Club - Members Only
After Sachin Bajaj, if there was another film maker who impressed when it came to churning out a masala entertainer aimed at the masses, it was Vikram Chopra. He knew the art of pumping in some high adrenalin drive when it came to sheer kicks and punches and if only he gets a better script to execute the next time around, he may well be the next big action director. His 'Fight Club - Members Only' wasn't great cinema by any means but for the young ones looking at some time pass popcorn munching fun, it wasn't a bad outing at all.
10. Shivam Nair - Ahista Ahista
Shivam Nair and Naseeruddin Shah could well identify with each other since their films suffered on exactly similar grounds. Average promotion, poor market placement and not so impressive cinema lineage meant a quick exit for Shivam Nair's 'Ahista Ahista'. Yes, the film did become stagnant at times, but the sensitivity shown by the director in telling an innocent tale deserves appreciation. Given a stronger script and screenplay, Shivam Nair shows the potential to come up with more beautiful tales in the times to come.