Sajid Nadiadwala

Sajid Nadiadwala is an Indian film producer, story writer, director and owner of Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. He is the grandson of proclaimed filmmaker A K Nadiadwala and has carry forwarded the 70 years of legacy of Nadiadwalas in the Indian film industry. From writing and producing films like Housefull (2010), Baaghi (2016) to directing Kick (2014), that brought him various debutant director awards, Sajid Nadiadwala has multiple commercial blockbusters to critically acclaimed films to his name. He's also written the widely acclaimed Marathi film Lai Bhaari that was produced by Riteish Deshmukh. Produced movies like Judwaa 2, Highway, 2 States, Baaghi, Heropanti, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Jeet, Baaghi 2,Judwaa, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Tamasha, Dishoom, Sajid is one of the top independent producers in India. Sajid Nadiadwala started his career at a very young age, as a production assistant in his uncle's production house before establishing his own production company called "Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt Ltd". In 1992, he produced his first film Zulm Ki Hukumat starring Dharmendra and Govinda. He brought together action stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty for the first time on big screen with his next, Waqt Hamara Hai (1993). His nest movie was Govinda and Sanjay Dutt starer Andolan(1995). His next production was Salman Khan - Sunny Deol starrer Jeet in 1996 that went on to became a huge hit and popularised Sunny's hook step in the song 'Yaara O Yaara'. His next, starring Salman Khan in a double role, Judwaa, created a benchmark in the actor's life and is recognised as a cult film today. Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega starring Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta (2000) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) starring Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Salman Khan were the next films he produced under his banner that also went on to become super hits. His next release, the 2007 film Heyy Babyy, starring Akshay Kumar was one of the year's biggest hit wherein he launched director Sajid Khan. His next, 2009 production Kambakkht Ishq, for the very first time in Bollywood included the casting of Hollywood actors and superstars, such as Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh. The film starred Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in the lead. Nadiadwala described the moment when he signed Sylvestor Stallone for the film as historic since he was so star struck by Sly as he was wondering whether he should get an autograph first or get the contract signed. His first film of 2010, Housefull held a stellar cast of Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Boman Irani, Arjun Rampal and Randhir Kapoor. The film on release became one of the highest grossers and established Housefull as a successful comedy franchise. On 30 September 2010, he announced a sequel to Housefull that would again star Akshay Kumar in the lead. His next film, a love story, Anjaana Anjaani starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra released on 1 October 2010 and the music of the film was an overnight success with songs like Tujhe bhula Diya and Aas Paas Hai Khuda becoming all time chart busters. Housefull 2 was released on 5 April 2012 and this franchise film went on to be a huge blockbuster by entering the 100- crore - club, commemorating Nadiadwala Grandson's first 100 crore film. In 2014, Sajid Nadiadwala came out blazing with four successful films including his directorial debut starring close friend Salman Khan, titled Kick, which is one of the All Time Top Grossers in Indian cinema. His first production in the year 2014 was Highway starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, directed by Imtiaz Ali was a success at the box office. His decision to green lit film like Highway brought a lot of appreciation from the industry and audience alike. Next was 2 States, the diverse cultural love story starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor in lead roles and directed by Abhishek Varman was yet another 100 crore club that catered to the class as well as mass audience. On 23 May 2014, Nadiadwala successfully launched two debutantes Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon in lead roles in film Heropanti and has recorded the second highest opening for a movie starring debutantes. The biggest came in when Nadiadwala made his directorial debut with the July 2014 release Kick starring Salman Khan. The film broke all previous Khan records and is one of the Top 100 ALL Time Grossers Nadiadwala with this film also successfully resurrected Jacqueline Fernandez's Bollywood career and got the actress in the elite A-list league of actors. The chirpy actress is equally enthusiastic about her Judwaa 2 producer, Sajid Nadiadwala, admitting that it was he who noticed her before anyone else, giving her the special appearance in Housefull song, "Dhanno", and then going on to cast her in Housefull 2 and his directorial debut, Kick. "The latter was a risk because I was not getting work at the time but both Nadiad and Salman showed a lot of confidence in me by going ahead with me in Kick. Nadiad then went on to give me Housefull 3, Dishoom and Judwaa 2. "My oldest equation is with him, his wife Wardha is my soul sister and I've watched his kids grow in front of my eyes. I'm in the movies because of him and I'll never forget that. I'll always be there for Nadiad and Salman," she says with complete conviction. In 2015, Nadiadwala produced Kabir Khan's directorial Phantom starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif. The national spy action saga was based on Mumbai Avengers on the aftermath of 26/11 Mumbai attacks and was widely appreciated film. Afghan Jalebi, a song broke records and became the no.1 chart busters. Next was the highly talked film, Tamasha starring ex flame Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, directed by Imtiaz Ali. The film grossed 100- Crore worldwide and is received much love and appreciation by the critics. The music album of the film became an instant super hit and is considered one of the top albums of the decade with songs like Matargashti and Agar Tum Saath Ho ruling the charts. In 2016, Sajid Nadiadwala had a yet another successful year, with three back-to-back hits, Baaghi, Housefull 3 and Dishoom. Baaghi, an action adventure film starring his protege Tiger Shroff along with actress Shraddha Kapoor grossed 100 crore worldwide and established Tiger as an unbeatable action hero. The songs of the film became popular in no time. Next from Nadiadwala's banner, came his biggest Housefull franchise, the third installment of Akshay Kumar starrer. Housefull 3, broke box office records and grossed 107 Crore in India. The multi- starrer film will have its sequel coming in Diwali 2019. Nadiadwala announced the fourth installment he said, "Yes, that's right we intend to bring back the entire cast from the earlier Housefull films. Of course Jia Khan is no longer with us. God bless her soul. But all the rest are on.The idea for Housefull 4 came to Nadiadwala in a flash. "I just thought we've seen so many serious intense romantic films on the theme of reincarnation, you know Madhumati, Karz etc...Why not a funny take on punar-janam? That was my idea. I shared it with my story writers. I thought they would take at least a year or two to crack it. But they came up with a terrific plot within no time. So yeah, here we are all set to do a rip-roaring take on reincarnation. We are looking ahead at making the most expensive comedy ever to come from our production house. Housefull 4 will be set in two time zones. One will be in the current times. The other will be set in Baahubali era where all the characters will get into Sajid Nadiadwala's reboot version of his cult classic Judwaa, once again directed by David Dhawan titled Judwaa 2 broke the dry spell running at the box office in 2017. The film was a blockbuster and was this year's first film to have a great run. The film has become Varun Dhawan's highest grossing film so far. Nadiadwala recently released Baaghi 2 starring Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani on March 30, 2018. The film has already crossed the 100 Cr. mark in just 6 days and with this film Tiger Shroff gets his entry in the 100 crore club. The film is a sequel to 2016's super hit film Baaghi that was highly appreciated for its action and also starred Tiger Shroff. The film earlier was slated to release on April 29, but due to the date shifting this year, Nadiadwala preponed the release date of the film. Nadiadwala is the only filmmaker who has preponed the release of his film, whereas everyone has postponed, showing sheer confidence and also announced the third installment of the franchise even before the trailer was out. Sajid Nadiadwala is the only filmmaker with the highest amount of successful franchise films , he has helmed three parts of Housefull with Akshay Kumar heading the cast and now the fourth part is slated to release on Diwali 2019. Nadiadwala also invested in young star Tiger Shroff, who also debuted under his banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and made Baaghi, a biggest action franchise film in the industry as the second part of Baaghi has already crossed the 100 crore mark in just 6 days. He is also directing the much awaited Kick sequel that is expected to release on Christmas 2019. Judwaa 2, that has become the highest grossing film of Varun Dhawan was produced by Nadiadwala and directed by David Dhawan who were also the makers of Salman Khan's Judwaa Nadiadwala is produced Super 30 starring Hrithik Roshan, based on Anand Kumar biopic which released on July 12, 2019. The film marks the first collaboration of these two powerhouses. Sajid Nadiadwala's collaboration with Nitesh Tiwari's next, after Dangal, was a riveting story based on today's generation. The movie titled "Chhichhore" and had names like Sushant Singh Rajput and Shraddha Kapoor. The movie released on 6th September, 2019. The film has won multiple awards and has been applauded by the audience. The fourth sequel to his Housefull starring Akshay Kumar, Ritiesh Deshmukh, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, Pooja Hegde, Kriti Kharbanda, Johnny Lever & Chunky Pandey released in Diwali 2019. The film was touted to be the biggest Housefull ever with a 75 Crore budget, only for its VFX and SX. Sajid Nadiadwala released the 3rd installment of the blockbuster franchise Baaghi starring Tiger Shroff & Shradhha Kapoor on 6th March 2020. There are various projects which are being helmed under Sajid Nadiadwala's production house. The line-up of films for the next 2 years is already ready and Nadiadwala has blocked the dates for the same. Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment recently announced Sajid Nadiadwala's most awaited sequel Kick 2. The film will mark Nadiadwala's second directorial project starring Salman Khan. The film will go on floors in December this year. The filmmaker is all set to launch Ahan Shetty with the Hindi remake of Telegu super hit RX100, directed by Milan Suthria. Akshay Kumar & Sajid Nadiadwala collaborate for the 10th time for Bachchan Pandey starring Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez & Arshad Warsi directed by Farhad Samji. The second sequel to Heropanti 2 has also been announced by Sajid Nadiadwala starring Tiger Shroff & Tara Sutaria directed by Ahmed Khan. The film has finished a small schedule in Mumbai. The film is slated for release on 3rd December 2021. Sajid Nadiadwala has been hailed as the Box Office Badshah by Forbes' India Magazine and he is the only producer in the list of Forbes' Celebrity 100 list.