Remember 'Waqt', 'Sholay', and 'Amar Akbar Anthony'... These films are some of the most popular multi-starrers Bollywood has ever generated. Over the years, several film-makers have tried this formula. While some have set the cash registers ringing at the box office, others haven`t made a mark. The trend of making multi-starrers is now back yet again. Several new films are exploring the age-old format.

Last year, movies like 'Badlapur' and 'Dil Dhadakne Do' followed the multi-starrer route. This year`s hit film, 'Kapoor and Sons', did the same. In the coming months, too, a number of big multi-starrers like 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', 'Udta Punjab', 'Housefull 3', 'Rangoon', 'Dishoom' and 'Rock On 2' will hit the big screen.

Sajid Nadiadwala who has produced multi-starrers films like 'Judwaa', 'Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega', and the 'Housefull' series, among others. He says such films "infuse new energy and pose a "new challenge". "Creatively, they give a different kind of kick. I have grown up watching multi-starrers," added Nadiadwala.

'Udta Punjab' the immediate release which is set to hit theaters on 17th June has already received a massive thumbs Up from the audiences the day the trailer of the film was released by the makers. The ensemble cast was loved by the fans who are now awaiting the release of the film.

Sajid Nadiadwala adds it is all about offering the audience an experience that is worth their money. "Even casting two heroes in a movie - like Salman Khan and Sunny Deol in Jeet (1996), Salman and Akshay Kumar in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Jaan-E-Mann (2006), or Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in Rangoon excites the audience, and me, as a filmmaker. But it is an uphill task to get two stars together. So, not many makers are able to pull multi-starrers off."