Calling Sahasra Trailer | Sudheer Anand, Dollysha| Arun Vikkirala | Mohith Rahmaniac

Bollywood is always on the lookout for directors who can successfully blend commercial appeal with superstar power. In recent years, a number of young filmmakers have risen to the challenge, and Ayan Mukerjee is among them.

Following his massive success with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Ayan attempted a high-profile project with Brahmastra, which, despite its scale, did not fully meet critical expectations. Known for his keen sense of cinematic storytelling, Ayan clearly enjoys handling large-scale commercial projects. His latest venture, War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Junior NTR, was highly anticipated as part of the Yash Raj Films universe.

However, the film’s performance has been underwhelming. Audiences and critics have noted that, despite featuring two superstars, the film lacked the commercial punch expected from such a high-profile collaboration. Post-release discussions suggest that the director struggled to translate the film’s star power into strong box-office traction.

There is no doubt that Ayan Mukerjee is one of the most talented directors in Indian cinema, with a unique ability to craft thoughtful, quality films. But the realm of big-budget, high-stakes commercial cinema is a different challenge altogether, and it seems he may need to reassess his approach. The question now is whether Ayan will return to his comfort zone of sensible, narrative-driven films or continue exploring commercial cinema, risking further setbacks.