Ali Abbas Zafar's YRF return; what can we expect
Acclaimed Indian filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar is set to return to Yash Raj Films (YRF), the production house where he directed his first four successful films. The director will reportedly collaborate on and helm multiple original theatrical projects under the YRF banner. This development marks a significant reunion for Zafar with his mentor and YRF head, Aditya Chopra.
Zafar's journey: 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' to 'Tiger Zinda Hai'
Zafar made his directorial debut with YRF's 2011 romantic comedy Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, featuring Katrina Kaif, Imran Khan, and Ali Zafar. The film was a commercial success, paving the way for Zafar to direct the 2014 action film Gunday. Starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Irrfan Khan, Gunday became a massive hit.
Zafar's blockbuster hits with YRF
Zafar's collaboration with YRF continued to yield blockbusters, including the wrestling drama Sultan (2016), starring Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma. The film is one of YRF's all-time highest-grossers. In 2017, Zafar directed Tiger Zinda Hai, the second installment of YRF's popular spy franchise, starring Khan and Kaif. This film also achieved significant commercial success.
Zafar's ventures beyond YRF and recent projects
In 2019, Zafar directed Bharat, an adaptation of the South Korean film Ode to My Father, starring Khan and Kaif. This was his first film outside the YRF banner. His recent projects include the Prime Video series Tandav (2021), Netflix's drama-thriller Jogi (2022), and the 2023 action thriller Bloody Daddy. However, his latest big-budget action film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan underperformed at the box office.
Trade source confirms Zafar's return to YRF
A trade source confirmed to Variety about Zafar's return to YRF, stating, "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."
'Zafar will scale greater heights with YRF'
"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," the source added.
