However, this year we are going to see the trend catch up with Bollywood directors as well! You either call it a comeback or just say that they were in hibernation, prepping for their upcoming films. Either way, they’re back this year with all of their awesomeness!

1. Ashutosh Gowariker – Mohenjo Daro

The director’s last film was Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey in 2010. Though the film wasn’t quite successful at the box office, the director has not lost his mettle. In fact, his comeback vehicle Mohenjo Daro starring Hrithik Roshan is one of the most awaited films of the year. There may be a significant gap of 6 years between his two movies but the audiences’ faith in Gowariker is still unshaken.

2. Aditya Chopra – Befikre

Aditya Chopra recently announced Befikre with Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor after a rather strange imaginary conversation with his late father. So no wonder, he  managed to create a lot of buzz with it. It’s been 8 years since Chopra called the shots since his last blockbuster in 2008 in the form of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi but his midas touch will be worth all the wait!

3. Sunny Deol – Ghayal Once Again

Not a lot of people know this but Sunny Deol has donned the director’s hat in the past. He directed Dillagi in 1999. Though the movie was a box office dud, Deol’s work as the director was appreciated by many. With Ghayal Once Again, the Gadar actor revisits his days behind the camera after a gap of 17 years.

4. Ajay Devgn – Shivaay

Ajay Devgn directed U Me Aur Hum in 2008 and shared screen space with his real life wife, Kajol. With Shivaay, Ajay is looking to launch a fresh talent and his co-star from the movie, Sayesha Saigal. Here’s hoping that an interesting plot and cast helps him score a win as a director after a gap of 8 years.

5. Ramesh Sippy – Shimla Mirchi

Sholay remains the biggest feather in this showman’s cap till date. He has done some great work in Bollywood but he has been missing from all the action since Zamaana Deewana in 1995. This year, the veteran will look to recover lost ground with his comeback film Shimla Mirchi starring Hema Malini, Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh.

6. Rohit Dhawan – Dishoom

Rohit Dhawan made his foray into Bollywood with the blockbuster rom-com Desi Boyz in 2011. The film is remembered majorly for its refreshing music and theme. And this year, the talented youngster is all set to up the ante with his action-drama, Dishoom, starring an interesting ensemble star cast including names like John Abraham, Varun Dhawan and Jacqueline Fernandez.

7. Raja Krishna Menon – Airlift

Raja Menon is all set to mesmerize the Indian audiences with his most ambitious project till date, Airlift. The movie is already getting a lot of positive response ever since its trailer starring Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur hit the Internet. Menon’s last outing was Barah Aana in 2009 with Naseeruddin Shah, Vjay Raaz and Arjun Kapoor.

8. Rahul Dholakia – Raees

Rahul Dholakia’s most popular work has been Parzania in 2005. The last film he made was in 2010 titled Lamhaa. The movie was based on the Kashmir conflict and starred Sanjay Dutt and Bipasha Basu. However, this year the director is back with Shah Rukh Khan and his movie, Raees, has already been touted to be one of the most awaited movies of 2016.

9. Karan Johar – Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

As much as we see Karan Johar everywhere in the news, it’s a little hard to believe that the director hasn’t really directed a film since 2012’s Student of the Year. The shoot of his next movie, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma has already started and Bollywood fans are all geared up for this one.

10. Bejoy Nambiar – Wazir

Wazir just released this week and has been received as a film that promises some quality content. Nambiar’s last directorial venture was David with Neil Nitin Mukesh in 2013.

11. Shakun Batra – Kapoor & Sons

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu happens to be the last Shakun Batra film starring Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan in 2012. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu was a breath of fresh air with its unconventional climax. And with Kapoor & Sons starring Fawad Khan, Siddharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, we’re only hoping for more unconventional stuff from him.

12. Vipul Shah – Namastey England

Vipul’s last outing was the disastrous Action Replayy in 2010. While his last one tanked without a trace despite a strong star cast boasting of actors like Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, his next is highly anticipated. Following the success of the first part, Namastey England is expected to turn the fortunes for Shah!

So much action, so little time!