He is as far from mediocrity as Bollywood is from making a Sixth Sense. Even his latest feature, Unbreakable, though flawed, is undoubtedly the work of a master craftsman. Every year, over one hundred Hindi films are released. And yet, not even two or at most three are movies that stay with you. The rest are glossy and glamorous and profoundly shallow.
Most filmmakers are content to rework the formula over again.
The cynicism is dangerously apparent. As is the desire to play safe. When Ramesh Sippy started Sholay, he was a twenty-something brat, basking in success. His first film, Andaaz had been deemed a moderate accomplishment but his second, Seeta aur Geeta was a bona fide blockbuster. But success did not shackle him.