Top 10 Famous Trio Director Brothers Of Bollywood
Posted On: 08 Nov 2021 | Last Updated : 09 Mar 2022 | Views : 2.0k
Direction is one of the toughest tasks in filmmaking and the director is often regarded as ‘the captain of the ship’ who needs to know each and every detail of filmmaking. We often see siblings of actors, actresses, singers, and producers making their entry into Bollywood after their eldest brother or sister meets with any success. We have also witnessed brother director duos in Bollywood but how many times have we witnessed brother director trios in Bollywood? Tough to recall we guess…but yes, there have been a selected bunch of three brother directors of Bollywood or should we say three brother sibling directors of Bollywood who directed films at different points in time. So, let’s look at some famous trio brother directors of Bollywood who knowingly or unknowingly featured in this elite club to carve a nice for themselves.
(Note: We haven’t included Guru Dutt and his younger brothers Atma Ram and Devi Dutt who were also directors. Atma Ram had directed ‘Qaid’, ‘Resham Ki Dori’, ‘Aarop’, ‘Chanda Aur Bijli’, ‘Shikar’ while Devi Dutt had directed ‘Andaz Pyaar Ka’ starring Govinda and Neelam which never got released.)
1. Baburao Pendharkar, Bhalji Pendharkar & Master Vinayak
The Pendharkar brothers included Baburao Pendharkar, Bhalji Pendharkar and half-brother Master Vinayak who was also known as Vinayak Damodar Karnataki. Baburao Pendharkar was one of the most renowned actors of the silent and talkie era who acted in famous films like Maya Machhindra, Prem Pariksha, Ghar Ki Rani, Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, Do Ankhen Barah Haath, Navrang and Amrapali also directed Seeta Kalyanam and Vishwamitra in 1933 and 1952, respectively. Younger brother Bhalji Pendharkar was an actor, writer and director who directed classics like Bajirao Mastani, Rani Rupmati, Maharathi Karna, Swarna Bhoomi, Valmiki, Alakh Niranjan, etc. Master Vinayak was an actor and director too, who acted in notable films like Sinhagadh, Bhikharan, Chhaya, Dharmaveer, Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani and Brahmachari, and directed films like Nigah-E-Nafrat (1935), Chhaya (1936), Jwala (1938), Ghar Ki Rani (1945), Badi Maa (1945) and Jeevan Yatra (1946).
2. Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor & Shashi Kapoor
Talk about famous trio brother directors of Bollywood and right away you have the Kapoor brothers. Sons of the legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor – Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor were not just famous actors but also directors. Raj Kapoor marked his directorial debut with Aag in 1948 and also directed gems like Barsaat, Awaara, Sangam, Mera Naam Joker and Bobby. Shammi Kapoor wielded the megaphone only twice for Manoranjan in 1974 and Bundal Baaz in 1976 while Shashi Kapoor directed only Ajooba (1991) but produced some notable films like Junoon, Kalyug, Vijeta and Utsav.
3. Chetan Anand, Dev Anand & Vijay Anand
If at all there was top 10 trio directors’ brother of Bollywood then it has to be the Anand brothers. The Anand brothers comprised of Chetan Anand, Dev Anand and Vijay Anand and it was the eldest of all Chetan Anand who made his directorial debut with Neecha Nagar in 1946 and followed it up with Taxi Driver, Haqeeqat, Heer Raanjha and Kudrat. Vijay Anand made his directorial debut in 1957 with Nau Do Gyarah and directed biggies like Guide, Teesri Manzil, Jewel Thief, Johny Mera Naam, etc. Dev Anand who was already a successful star took up direction at a later stage of his career with Prem Pujari in 1970 and went on to direct Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Heera Panna, Ishk Ishk Ishk, Des Pardes, Lootmaar, etc.
4. Joy Mukherjee, Deb Mukherjee, Shomu Mukherjee, Rono Mukherjee
Producer Sashadhar Mukherjee had four sons namely Joy Mukherjee, Deb Mukherjee, Shomu Mukherjee and Rono Mukherjee. Actor Joy Mukherjee who was known for playing the lead in notable films like Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Ziddi, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Love in Tokyo and Shagird turned director with Humsaya (1968), and later directed Chhailla Babu (1977) and Love in Bombay (2013). Joy’s younger brother Deb Mukherjee who acted in films like Sambandh, Adhikar, and Ek Bar Mooskura Do, directed the Mithun Chakraborty starrer Karate in 1983. Younger brother Shomu Mukherjee who was married to actress Tanuja had directed Fiffty Fiffty (1981), Lover Boy (1985), Pathar Ke Insan (1990), Sangdil Sanam (1994), etc. Youngest brother Rono Mukherjee had directed Tu Hi Meri Zindagi (1965) and Haiwan (1977).
5. Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor
Raj Kapoor’s sons - Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor easily figure among the top 10 Bollywood trio directors’ brothers who are also well-known actors. Randhir Kapoor who started off as a child artiste assisted his father Raj Kapoor before making his full-fledged debut as actor and director in Kal Aaj Aur Kal in 1971 which starred Raj Kapoor as well as Prithviraj Kapoor. He also directed Dharam Karam (1975) and Henna (1991) while Rishi Kapoor directed the Akshaye Khanna – Aishwarya Rai starrer Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) and Rajiv Kapoor directed the Rishi Kapoor – Madhuri Dixit starrer Prem Granth in 1996.
6. Feroz Khan, Sanjay Khan & Akbar Khan
The Khan brothers comprising of Feroz Khan, Sanjay Khan, Sameer Khan and Akbar Khan were all actors. Except for Sameer Khan the other three brothers took to direction. The eldest of all Feroz Khan who had already acted in films like Arzoo, Aag, Safar, Mela and Khote Sikkay directed biggies like Apradh, Dharmatma, Qurbani, Janbaaz, Dayavan, etc., while Sanjay Khan who played the lead in films like Dus Lakh, Abhilasha, Ek Phool Do Mali, Dhund, etc., directed films like Chandi Sona (1977), Abdullah (1980), and Kala Dhanda Goray Log (1986). Youngest brother Akbar Khan who appeared in films like Swati, Jumbish, Muqaddar Ka Faisla and Akarshan went on to direct Haadsaa (1983), and Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005).
7. Tulsi Ramsay, Keshu Ramsay, Shyam Ramsay & Kiran Ramsay
How can one forget the Ramsay brothers who are remembered for their exemplary work in the horror genre? F.U. Ramsay’s sons comprised of Kumar Ramsay, Shyam Ramsay, Keshu Ramsay, Arjun Ramsay, Gangu Ramsay, and Kiran Ramsay. Tulsi Ramsay and Shyam Ramsay are one of the famous director duos of Bollywood who have directed horror flicks like Saboot, Dahshat, Purana Mandir, Saamri, Veerana, Bandh Darwaza, etc., together. Kiran Ramsay is an audiographer who has worked as a sound designer in most of the horror films made by the Ramsay brothers but has directed a couple of films namely - Shaitani Ilaaka (1990) and Aakhri Cheekh (1991). Keshu Ramsay who has produced popular action flicks like Sabse Bada Khiladi, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi, International Khiladi and Khakee, has directed movies like Haveli, Dak Bangla, Saaya, Khoj and Ashaant starring Akshay Kumar. Brother Kumar Ramsay has only written and produced most of the Ramsay horror flicks while Gangu Ramsay has not directed any films but just handled the cinematography for the same. Arjun Ramsay never directed any films but only edited and wrote a couple of them.
8. Anand Sagar, Prem Sagar & Moti Sagar
Legendary producer-director Ramanand Sagar’s sons - Anand Sagar, Prem Sagar, Moti Sagar, and Subhash Sagar have all been part of the Hindi film industry. Eldest son Anand Sagar has directed some popular films like Pyaara Dushman, Ram Bharose, Armaan, Hamrahi and Baadal while younger son Prem Sagar who is often mistaken for actor Prem Sagar has directed the Jeetendra – Hema Malini starrer Hum Tere Aashiq Hain in 1979. Third son Moti Sagar has acted in a few films and directed Prerana (1984), while youngest son Subhash Sagar has only been producer for films Hamrahi, Ram Bharose, Pyaara Dushman and never directed any film.
9. Imtiaz Ali, Sajid Ali & Arif Ali
Imtiaz Ali made his directorial debut with Socha Na Tha in 2005 and went on to direct films like Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, Highway, Jab Harry Met Sejal has two siblings in the Hindi film industry who are also filmmakers. His younger brother Arif Ali had directed the 2014 romantic comedy Lekar Hum Deewana Dil starring Armaan Jain and Deeksha Seth. His other younger brother Sajid Ali had directed the 2018 modern-day love saga Laila Majnu starring Avinash Tiwary and Tripti Dimri.
10. Indra Kumar, Firoz Irani & Adi Irani
Actress Aruna Irani’s brothers Indra Kumar, Firoz Irani, Adi Irani and Balraj Irani are all part of Bollywood. Indra Kumar who is one of the famous producers and directors has made some biggies like Dil, Beta, Raja, Ishq, Masti and Dhamaal. Younger brother Firoz Irani who appeared in small roles in films like Humraaz, Hatya: The Murder, Pyare Mohan, etc. turned director with the Jackie Shroff and Kajol starrer Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya in 1999 while Adi Irani who has played important roles in Dil, Beta, Anari, Baazigar, Anari No.1, directed Raqt in 2013. Youngest brother Balraj Irani is not a director but has produced films like Suhaag and No Entry.
