Little did anyone that the director who made Aamir Khan a seductress in Baazi would give him an Oscar nomination a few years later. Little did anyone know that the actor who bullied Shah Rukh Khan in Chamatkar would extract his finest performance a decade later. And little did anyone that a director who easily got permission to shoot for an Indian movie at NASA would be struggling to make a hit film by the next decade. That is the bumpy journey of the director in Ashutosh Gowariker, known for giving three excellent gems to Indian cinema in Lagaan, Swades and Jodha Akbar. Panipat First Look: Ashutosh Gowariker Brings Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Kapoor and Kriti Sanon Together For the Battle About The Great Betrayal.

Beginning his journey as an actor in cinema, Ashutosh had a major role to play as one of the rowdy students in Ketan Mehta's 1984 cult classic Holi, that also starred a certain Aamir Khan. Ashutosh took on supporting roles in movies and serials like Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro,  Circus, Chamatkar and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na. His last acting assignment was playing a version of himself in the Marathi film, Ventilator in 2016, that was produced by Priyanka Chopra.

Ashutosh Gowariker's innings as a director is far more prolific though he didn't have a smooth start. His first two movies, Pehla Nasha and Baazi, were duds at the box office, and it took six years for him to make his third film. That wait was enough for the product was Lagaan and Indian cinema was changed forever. The movie gave Aamir Khan a great start as a producer, became the third Indian films to get an Oscar nomination and above all, was a box office favourite. His next, Swades, failed at the box office, but years later, people can stop singing praises about the movie and is considered a masterpiece. Jodha Akbar brought box office success back to Gowariker, but since then it has been a rough road for the film-maker. He made three movies after that, and none of them hit the bullseye either with the critics or the audience. Republic Day 2019 Special: From Wars to Fighting Social Evils, Evolution of Patriotism in Bollywood Movies.

Now, Ashutosh Gowariker is busy with the production of his next magnum opus, Panipat. The movie, based on the third battle of Panipat, stars Arjun Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt in the lead. Panipat is expected to bring back the lost glory to the director, the answer to which we will only know by December 6. Confirmed! Anil Kapoor's Pagalpanti to Clash With Arjun Kapoor's Panipat on December 6, 2019.

On the occasion of his 55th birthday, we look at all the films that Ashutosh Gowariker directed and rank them from Worst to Best, based on how the movies impacted us as a viewer.

Mohenjo Daro

Pooja Hegde and Hrithik Roshan in Mohenjo Daro (Photo Credits: Ashutosh Gowariker Productions Private Limited)

The biggest misfire of Ashutosh Gowariker's career is his second collaboration with Hrithik Roshan, after Jodha Akbar. Mohenjo Daro had a lot of potential in its premise considering it was one of the rare Indian movies to be set in the pre-historic era. However, what we got was a stale revenge drama wrapped in an incorrectly detailed movie, that had heavy influences from Baahubali and 10,000 BC. Even AR Rahman's music felt so listless.

Baazi

Aamir Khan in Baazi (Photo Credits: File Image)

One of Aamir Khan's most forgettable films and yet the movie is entertaining in its weird way. The actor is seen playing a cop though Baazi was no Sarfarosh. The only thing you might remember in the film is seeing Aamir Khan in a drag. And it is not something even Mr Perfectionist would want to remember

What's Your Raashee?

Harman Baweja and Priyanka Chopra in What's Your Raashee? (Photo Credits: UTV Motion Pictures)

Ashutosh Gowariker attempts to go beyond historicals and social dramas to make this romcom. Decent at best, the movie benefits from the idea of having a good actress like Priyanka Chopra in 12 different avatars. However, with an actor with limited abilities like Harman Baweja cast opposite her and the lengthy duration, What's Your Raashee? left its viewers bored and annoyed.

Pehla Nasha

Sudhesh Berry, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ashutosh Gowariker, Saif Ali Khan, Raveena Tandon, Deepak Tijori, Pooja Bhatt and Rahul Roy after shooting the cameo scene in Pehla Nasha (Photo Credits: Twitter)

Ashutosh Gowariker's directorial debut. A ripoff of Hollywood erotic thriller, Body Double, the movie stars Deepak Tijori, Raveena Tandon and Pooja Bhatt in the lead. It is almost a frame by frame adaptation of the Brian De Palma film, so those who hadn't seen the original film might be intrigued with the mystery. Otherwise, the movie is only known for the first scene that involves cameos from Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Saif Ali Khan (also Rahul Roy and Sudesh Berry).

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se

Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan (Photo Credits: PVR Pictures)

Retelling an important chapter in Indian freedom struggle with the Chittagong Uprising, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se is Gowariker in his most scaled-back form. It has plenty of issues, especially the casting of Abhishek Bachchan as revolutionary Surya Sen and a melodramatic treatment. However, the film is not as bad as many claims it to be, with some gut-wrenching moments (British killing kids who were part of the uprising) and a good supporting cast.

Jodha Akbar

Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan (Photo Credits: AGPPL)

There is a vast difference in quality between the previous entry and Jodha Akbar. This opulent historical romantic drama has both Hrithik and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in prime form. Both share crackling chemistry, with Hrithik's brawn and Ash's grace setting the screen on fire. There is richness in every scene and the opulence would compete directly with Bhansali. But it is the love story that reels you in.

Lagaan

Aamir Khan and His Lagaan Team (Photo Credits: Aamir Khan Productions)

The movie that pushed Gowariker into the big league and on the world map. I still remember the time when I saw the promos of what was perceived as a regular historical drama bringing Indians vs British struggle back. Lagaan was exactly that, and yet, it surprised us by bringing in cricket as the tool to take revenge, beating the Queen's men in their own game. Everything about the movie is still enjoyable, from the cast to the screenplay to that match to AR Rahman's music. An Oscar nomination well deserved!

Swades

Shah Rukh Khan in Swades (Photo Credits: UTV Films)

Even though Lagaan gave Indian cinema an Oscar nom, the Ashutosh Gowariker movie that people most talk about in this era is Swades. Its non-performance at the box office is hurting, considering that Swades is an ageless masterpiece, richly layered too. Featuring Shah Rukh Khan's finest performance, Swades is a tad too long, but every frame of the film is magnetic and every dialogue evergreen, with a very compelling social message. Also, Rahman's score is LIT!

On behalf of the entire LatestLY desk, we wish Ashutosh Gowariker Many Many Happy Returns of the Day! Hope he finds another Lagaan in his upcoming Panipat!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 15, 2019 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).