Overview

• Mansukhani rose to fame with 2008’s Dostana but took no directorial credits after his 2014 divorce from childhood partner Karuna.
• He returned in 2019 with Drive, a project he defends despite criticism for its CGI quality, dubbing and performances.
• The director says he cleared significant debts before committing to new films to protect his creative integrity.
• Housefull 5, produced on a reported ₹225 crore budget, has now earned over ₹200 crore worldwide.
• The fifth instalment, starring Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan, reinforces the franchise’s lasting box office appeal.