Only a few directors, again you could easily count them on your fingers, made it. Sadly, even they can’t claim that they know the pulse of the audience. But they certainly deserve the honours and a special mention. They have done what even a David Dhawan could not do this year... manage to churn out a hit. And the winners are -

Vikram Bhatt
Out of the three releases that Bhatt dished out this year, Aap Mujhe Ache Lagne Lage, Raaz and Awara Paagal Deewana, the latter two turned out to be the biggest hits of the year. Known to make films of different genre Vikram Bhatt’s first brush with direction was Janam. The film bombed at the box-office. It was only after Ghulam and its Aati kya khandala that Bhatt became a name to reckon with. He is one of those directors who loves to take up challenges and cast newcomers and make spine chilling thrillers with them. He practically launched Lisa Ray and Bipasha Basu and was known for his assocation with Ex-Miss Universe Sushmita Sen.

Rajkumar Santoshi
With the Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Rajkumar Santoshi happens to be the most powerful directors of the Hindi film industry. The artistic precision with which Santoshi made the film definitely called for an applause! The film might get Ajay Devgan his second National Award. Ghayal happened to be Rajkumar Santoshi first film as a director. The film brought about close friendship between Sunny Deol and Rajkumar Santoshi. It was during this time that they had discussed Bhagat singh. Sunny Deol was to play the title role. However the film could not kickstart instantly. Time lapsed and the idea to make the film on the legendary freedom fighter surfaced again. Santoshi thought that Sunny was too old to play Bhagat Singh who had died at a young age of 23. Santoshi honestly told Sunny so who put forward chote bhaiyya Bobby’s name while he would play Chandrashekahr Azad in the film. Santoshi thought that Ajay Devgan suited the role better. Egos clashed. And friends turned into competitive foes. Who thought that there would be a long story behind the story of Bhagat Singh?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali
All the different versions of Devdas released over the years had bombed at the box-office. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s is the only version that’s been declared a hit. Sanjay first tryst with films dates back to the time when he wanted to make a touchy film about a deaf and dumb couple whose only sources of communication is their daughter. A hardcore Madhuri Dixit fan, Sanjay wrote the script with her in mind. But Dixit who was riding high then didn’t even make a point to meet him. It was Manisha Koirala agreed to do the film. Sanjay thought that to have Madhuri Dixit in the film he would have to still prove himself. He launched Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. I have written the script of the film with Madhuri in mind,’ he openly admitted. But it was Aishwarya Rai who played the lead. And HDDCS did what Khamoshi could not do. Sanjay Leela Bhansali had arrived. And his dream to cast Madhuri in a film was fulfilled when she immediately agreed to play Chandramukhi in Devdas.

Madhur Bhandarkar
Though he did not have any releases this year, Madhur Bhandarkar certainly took up most of the media attention at times for his forthcoming Satta or at times being linked to Tabu. Bhandarkar first film Trishakti that had small timers like Arshad Warsi and Milind Gunaji in the lead and that focussed on the underworld was a damp squib at the box-office. He was a talented director, alright! He only needed a right break. And guess Chandni Bar based on the life of a bar girl did just that. Madhur Bhandarkar now has Satta that concentrates a woman’s role in politics lined up for release. There’s also Aan- Men At Work based on the life of Indian policemen. As for Tabu, "She is just a friend I know well. There’s nothing more to our relationship," he insists.