Director in the Spotlight: Rohit Shetty

Comments [ 4 ] By Gurprit K. | 26 August 2013 | 10:19pm

We have often featured the talent of tinsel town which sets the screen ablaze with their sizzling charm, but there is surely a lot to be said about those who work in the bac

kground to deliver an entertaining package for the viewers. Without creating anymore suspense, let me tell you, this time we do not have an actor or actress in the spotlight rather it's director Rohit Shetty who's caught under the scanner!

He's known as the President of the 100-crore club, Man with the Midas touch and a lot more. The list of sobriquets he's earned on his way to glory is endless. Born as the son of late 'Fighter Shetty', one could have predicted that he was slated for success, but Rohit Shetty clearly redefined the meaning of success. M.B. Shetty, aka Fighter Shetty, has acted in some Hindi and Kannada movies but he earned wider acclaim for his role as a fight instructor in the Indian cinema. Being exposed to the Indian cinema due to his father's association to Bollywood, Rohit had decided early on that he would make his gold in the same trade. And so he did! Known for their high action and slapstick humor, Rohit's movies always steer clear of double entendre and vulgarity making them suitable for audiences of all ages and moments of family time.

Originally from Mangalore, Karnataka, Rohit started his career at the early age of seventeen as an assistant director to Kuku Kohli with the movie Phool aur Kaante, which incidentally was also Ajay Devgn's debut film as an actor. Rohit continued working with Kohli in movies like Ek Aur Kohinoor, Suhaag , Haqeeqat and Zulmi and except for Ek Aur Kohinoor, which was never released, all the movies had known faces of the industry today associated with them. Rohit kept working under the shadow of known directors, simultaneously increasing his knowledge and expertise before he could come out with his own solo.

After Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha with Anees Bazmee, Hindustan Ki Kasam and Raju Chacha under Ajay's home productions, Rohit finally debuted as a director in 2003 with Zameen. His directorial debut received a lukewarm response but Rohit kept persevering and in 2006 was graced with fame when he directed Golmaal: Fun Unlimited thus starting the comedy franchisee. Rohit was soon on a roll as he continued his journey with movies like Sunday, a comic-thriller, followed by Golmaal Returns in 2008. While Golmaal Returns and All the Best: Fun Begins (2009), generated an average to favorable response, the year 2010 was when all records were broken. With Golmaal 3 came the first ever hit of his career closely followed by Singham in 2012 which managed to break the former record. Post the action-comedy, Rohit again brought out a comedy-drama in the form of Bol Bachchan which proved to be a commercial success as well.

Beginning of this month came Chennai Express which broke various former records in the industry at express speed after its release on 9^th August, 2013, prominent being the time taken to reach the 100-crore mark at the box office. Last we hear the masala film has crossed the Rs. 202 crore mark making itself the second film in Bollywood to enter the Rs. 200 crore club following Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots.

Along with the many successes came the various accolades. He won the award for best director in the rom-com category for Golmaal 3 in 2011 and the Stardust Dream Director award for Singham in 2012.

Did you know?

Rohit Shetty is married to Maya More, a banker, with one son.
He has done some small roles in his own movies, recent being Golmaal 3 and Kyaa Supercool Hain Hum.
He likes to maintain a low profile and is seldom seen or heard of when he is not working.
He likens himself to Superman, who comes, does his work and then goes back to his world.