Top 3 Movies of Ayan Mukerji
A list by Sam Mathew
A curated look at the visionary filmography of director Ayan Mukerji, a defining voice of modern Bollywood. Known for his grand visual scale, coming-of-age themes, and blockbuster ambitions, his films blend spectacle with soulful storytelling. This list ranks his three directorial ventures, analyzing their impact, music, and why they cemented his status as a generational talent.
The Definitive Trio: A Journey from Charm to Cosmic Spectacle
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
Mukerji's magnum opus and a generation-defining film. It perfected the modern Bollywood 'bromance' and travel romance genre. Following Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor) and Naina (Deepika Padukone) from a Manali trek to a lavish Udaipur wedding, it captured the clash between wanderlust and rootedness. The Pritam soundtrack ('Badtameez Dil', 'Balam Pichkari', 'Kabira') is arguably the decade's best. It's a film that made travel aspirational, friendships iconic, and became the blueprint for the big, emotional, song-driven Hindi blockbuster of the 2010s.
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Wake Up Sid (2009)
A stunning debut that redefined the urban coming-of-age drama. Mukerji captured the anxieties of a spoilt Mumbai rich kid, Sid (Ranbir Kapoor), with remarkable warmth and authenticity. The film's soul lies in its subtlety—the burgeoning relationship with Aisha (Konkona Sen Sharma), the gentle push towards responsibility, and the gorgeous, rain-washed Mumbai cinematography. The Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy music ('Iktara', 'Wake Up Sid') complements its intimate mood. It announced Mukerji as a director with a keen eye for character and established Ranbir Kapoor as the voice of a new generation.
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Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022)
Mukerji's most ambitious and controversial project—India's first original mythological superhero universe. A decade in the making, it's a visual effects landmark for Bollywood. While the love story between Shiva (Ranbir Kapoor) and Isha (Alia Bhatt) drew mixed reactions, the film's core strength is its world-building: the Astraverse, the epic action set-pieces, and the stunning integration of Indian mythology with modern fantasy. The 'Kesariya' and 'Deva Deva' songs were massive hits. Despite narrative flaws, it represents a bold, costly gamble to create a homegrown franchise spectacle, cementing Mukerji as a director who dreams on a cosmic scale.
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The Ayan Mukerji Signature
The Ranbir Kapoor Partnership
The definitive director-actor duo of their generation. Mukerji has shaped Kapoor's career, extracting his most iconic performances as the charming slacker (Sid), the restless dreamer (Bunny), and the chosen hero (Shiva).
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Iconic Soundtracks
Music is narrative in his films. From the indie-rock vibe of 'Wake Up Sid' to the anthemic Punjabi-pop of 'YJHD' and the devotional-electronic fusion of 'Brahmāstra', his soundtracks dominate charts for years.
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Visual Grandeur
Whether it's the cozy interiors of Colaba, the snowy peaks of Manali, or the cosmic fire of the Brahmāstra, Mukerji's films are visually lush, colorful, and meticulously crafted, making them big-screen events.
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