M-town Filmmakers Who Captivated The Bollywood Audience

The director, who began his film career as an art director, went on to become one of the most sought after filmmakers from 1970s to mid 1990s. His first directorial venture, 'Ulsavam' (1975), a love story, starred by Vincent and late Sreevidhya and was a hit. Some of his well-known blockbusters include Alkoottathil Thaniye, Kanamarayathu, Aksharangal and Vadakaykkoru Hrudayam. During his remarkable career as a filmmaker spanning over many decades, Sasi made more than 170 films, including a few few titles in Tamil and Hindi. His popular Malayalam movie 'Avaludea Ravukal' starred his wife Seema in the lead role was dubbed in many other languages including Hindi.

Rajeev Kumar who never failed to surprise the Malayali audience with his creativity on celluloid and on stage. His masterpiece movies like Chanakyan’ and ‘Kannezhuthi Pottumthottu’ are still favourite of many cinephiles in the industry.

He made his  Bollywood directorial debut with Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya in 2000 which starred  Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala in the lead roles. Chal Chala Chal was his second directorial venture in Hindi, released in theaters and received mixed responses from the audience. The film was an official remake of the Malayalam film Varavelpu. His other notable Hindi project include Kushti, the movie that is an official remake of the Malayalam hit 'Mutharamkunnu P.O'is being directed by  Sibi Malayil.

Before making his Hindi debut with Bodyguard starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, many of his Malayalam films were already being remade in Hindi. Many of his Malayalam movies were remade in Hindi, directed by Priyadarshan.The popular Hindi comedy movie 'Hera Pheri' was an official remake of his Malayalam debut movie 'Ramji Rao Speaking'.

Siddique gained much popularity among Hindi audience after his successful debut movie 'Bodyguard'. The film starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor was a massive hit, garnering around Rs 250 crore in the box office. The romantic comedy was the remake of Siddique’s 2010 Malayalam film of the same name which starred Dileep and Nayanthara in the lead roles.

If reports are to be believed, film maker Roshan Andrews will make his Bollywood directorial debut with 'Koi Shaq' this year. The film will be produced by Siddharth Roy Kapoor and will be featured Shahid Kapoor and Pooja Hegde in the main lead roles. Speaking of the storyline, it centers on a clever but disobedient police investigator who is looking into a prominent case.

The name “Priyadarshan” is well known in the Indian film industry. With a career that spans over three decades, he has directed films which are considered as evergreen hits in Indian cinema. Being a Malayali, Priyadarshan who is more popular for his Malayalam movies. He made many super hit films with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal include Minnaram, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Chithram and Killukam.

Priyadarshan made his directorial debut in Hindi with 1992 film 'Muskurahat' declared a super hit at the box office. The film is an official remake of Malayalam movies 'Minnaram'. He has remade many of his Malayalam films in Bollywood which originally starred Mohanlal in the leading role. Popular hindi comedy movies like Garam Masala, De Dana Dan, Khatta Meetta Hungama, and Bhool Bhulaiyya are on this list.