Ali Abbas Zafar returns to Yash Raj Films: A new chapter in Bollywood
A journey through cinematic milestones
Indian filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar is making a triumphant return to Yash Raj Films (YRF), the studio where he first made his mark. This collaboration promises to bring fresh, original theatrical projects under the guidance of his mentor, Aditya Chopra.
The early days: From romantic comedies to action-packed dramas
Zafar’s directorial debut came with the 2011 romantic comedy Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, featuring Katrina Kaif, Imran Khan, and Ali Zafar. The film was a hit, setting the stage for his future successes. He followed this with the action film Gunday in 2014, starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Irrfan Khan. This film was a massive success, solidifying Zafar’s reputation as a versatile director.
Blockbusters and beyond
Zafar’s career continued to soar with the wrestling drama Sultan in 2016, starring Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma. This film became one of YRF’s all-time biggest hits. He then directed Tiger Zinda Hai in 2017, the second installment of YRF’s popular spy universe franchise, again starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
In 2019, Zafar ventured beyond YRF with the family drama Bharat, an adaptation of Yoon Je-kyoon’s ”Ode to My Father.” This film, produced by Reel Life Productions, Salman Khan Films, and T-Series, also proved to be a success.
Exploring new territories: Streaming platforms and controversies
Zafar’s foray into streaming platforms began with the Prime Video series Tandav in 2021, headlined by Saif Ali Khan. The series stirred controversy due to a scene featuring a character, played by Muslim actor Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, portraying the Hindu God Shiva. This led to backlash from the ruling Hindu nationalist dispensation, prompting Prime Video to edit the scene and Zafar to issue an apology.
In 2022, Zafar directed the well-received Netflix drama-thriller Jogi, centered on the 1984 Delhi riots and headlined by Diljit Dosanjh. His next project, the 2023 action thriller Bloody Daddy, an adaptation of the 2011 French film “Sleepless Night,” starred Shahid Kapoor and was produced by Jio Studios for streamer JioCinema. This film also garnered acclaim.
A rare misstep and a promising return
Despite his successes, Zafar faced a rare misfire with the big-budget action epic Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Released earlier this year during the Eid holiday frame, the film underperformed at the box office.
Now, Zafar is set to return to Yash Raj Films, where he will collaborate on and direct multiple original theatrical projects. A trade source notes, “Ali Abbas Zafar is a filmmaker who has gone on to make huge hit films at YRF like ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan,’ ‘Sultan,’ ‘Gunday,’ and ‘Tiger Zinda Hai.’ So, this is an exciting development because Ali is technically returning to his alma mater.”
Looking ahead: New projects and creative collaborations
The source adds, “We are sure Ali will scale greater heights as he creatively collaborates with Aditya Chopra on multiple big-budget tentpole projects for YRF. The two haven’t yet locked the projects that Ali will now direct at YRF. But we can confirm that these will be original theatrical projects.”
For cinema enthusiasts, this news is a beacon of hope for more groundbreaking films from Zafar. His return to YRF signifies not just a homecoming but a new chapter filled with potential and promise. As we await the announcement of these new projects, one thing is certain: Ali Abbas Zafar’s journey in Bollywood is far from over, and the best is yet to come.