Apart from the onscreen hero-heroine jodi, if there's another type of jodi that attracts as much attention in B-Town, then it's that of the hero and the director. And for as long as one can remember there've always been such hit actor-director jodis where the hero would be a permanent fixture in all of the director's films. A trend that continues to the present day as well.
So, ever since Karan Johar made his directorial debut in 1998, the filmmaker has always had actor Shah Rukh Khan play the lead in all the films directed by him. Similarly, filmmaker Rohan Sippy had actor Abhishek Bachchan as the hero in all his directorial ventures. It's been no different for director Rohit Shetty, who's had actor Ajay Devgn play the lead in all of his eight films so far, including the latest Bol Bachchan.
But in what seems like a strange co-incidence, all the these hit jodis will be seen taking an exit from their usual combinations. And while the actors here have always worked with multiple directors, this time around, it's the directors who are taking a break from their usual heroes. So, KJo's upcoming film Student of The Year stars a bunch of newcomers, though it will have a cameo by his buddy SRK. Despite a string of hits together, Rohit's next Chennai Express will have him direct SRK and not Ajay. Rohan's next also doesn't star Abhishek, though there's buzz of him making a cameo. There's also buzz that filmmaker Vipul Shah's next may apparently not star his usual choice Akshay Kumar. Though not in the same league, but director Mohit Suri whose films have featured either Emraan Hashmi or Kunal Khemu too is apparently hunting for a new face for his next film Aashiqui 2.
These surprising departures are naturally setting tongues wagging in B-Town about their being some dissent in the ranks, but industrywallahs claim otherwise.
"I can never imagine a film without Shah Rukh. Student… is a great script that I wanted to direct, but I can't have SRK play a teenager now can I? So, where's the question of any trouble brewing," quips KJo. Rohit too waves off all such talks of negativity between him and Ajay. "Our friendship goes beyond doing films together. In fact, after Chennai... we are working together again." Ajay seconds it adding, "When I can work with other directors, why can't Rohit work with other actors?"
Trade analysts too insist that it's a rather positive sign. "It's a reflection how lines are finally blurring to a great extent in the industry. It's good to see that filmmakers are finally moving beyond their own set," says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.
