BOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS EMERGER FROM THEIR SHADOWS, FACE THE CAMERA!!

Gone are the days when directors remained only behind the camera and hence remained popular still faceless. Now as Bollywood directors increasingly face the camera and even the crowds themselves, they are having their share of 'stardom' that once exclusively belonged only to celebrated actors.

Karan Johar, front runner of the trend, hosts India's popular chat show Koffee with Karan besides endorsing a range of products: From a watch brand, to an achievers awards to a computer brand. Then you have Kunal Kohli and Madhur Bhandarkar who faced the camera as celebrity judge in popular telly shows Nach Baliye and second editon of Zee's Cine Star Ki Khoj respectively.

Mahesh Manjrekar went a step ahead and participated in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa as a celebrity contestant and earned appreciation for his gyrating act.

Mahesh Bhatt, who might have retired as director but remains the 'star' promoter of all his films. Subhash Ghai himself promoted the mobile-filmmaking competition held in tandem with his film institute Whistling Wood International and mobile giant Nokia.

Though filmmakers maintain that directors were always very popular but accept that their popularity has grown in a way that people can put a face to their names now, due to their increase visibility.

"It's a good phenomenon and is here to stay," exclaims Madhur Bhandarkar, adding, "People today want to know about the directors also. And thanks to the media boom, these days there's is a direct interface between the directors and his audience."

BOLLYWOOD BATHAKANI: Karan Johar to take a Koffee break

Versatile Bollywood director, Karan Johar, does not plan to continue with his popular television chat show, Koffee with Karan, after the end of its second season.
"I want to take a break from the show. It has another 11 shows to go after which I won't be doing it for the time being," said Karan Johar.
However, he was quick to add that he won't be out of the silver screen completely, as he would be doing another show for NDTV's new entertainment channel. "My next show would be based on a similar concept," he said.
Johar, who is now the only Bollywood director who is essaying a variety of roles ranging from a chat show host to walking down the ramp, and being on the cover page of a fashion magazine besides being a brand ambassador now, adds, "It's not planned. Things just happen and I enjoy it."
Question him on chances of him facing the camera, and he says, "Why do you want people to suffer seeing me facing the cameras. But I don't mind it either." He further adds, "Now, I will go and ask directors to give me a chance to act in their movies," besides jokingly adding, "I can't act in Ram Gopal Verma's movies, as he makes gritty ones and it does not go with my style."