Debut Directors of 2025: The Good, The Bad, and the Disappointing

Every year brings new actors, new faces, and new stars. But 2025 quietly became the year of debut directors. From big Bollywood names stepping behind the camera to indie filmmakers shaking up genres, this year proved that storytelling no longer belongs only to the tried and tested. Some films roared at the box office, some struggled to be seen, and some found love much later through streaming platforms. But each debut left behind a voice, a point of view, and a promise.

Here’s a detailed look at the debut directors of 2025, their first projects, what they attempted, and how audiences responded.

Sonu Sood – Fateh

Sonu Sood began the year by wearing a new hat. Known for his larger-than-life screen presence and real-life humanitarian work, he stepped into direction with Fateh. The film followed an ex-agent pulled out of a peaceful life to dismantle a massive cybercrime syndicate. It mixed action, technology, and a moral core, with Sonu also playing the lead role alongside Jacqueline Fernandez.

While the idea had scale and relevance, the execution divided opinions. Audiences appreciated the intent and Sonu’s conviction but felt the film struggled to balance emotion with spectacle. At the box office, Fateh failed to make a strong impact.

Boman Irani – The Mehta Boys

Boman Irani’s directorial debut arrived quietly but stayed in conversations for all the right reasons. The Mehta Boys explored a layered father-son relationship, a theme rarely examined with such restraint in mainstream cinema. Starring Boman himself and Avinash Tiwary, the film leaned on silences, unresolved emotions, and generational gaps.

The film travelled across international film festivals before landing on OTT, where it found a wider audience. Viewers praised its honesty, mature writing, and understated performances. Critics appreciated Boman’s sensitive handling of relationships, calling it a thoughtful debut that chose emotion over noise. It may not have been loud, but it left a deep impression.

Aryan Khan – The Ba***ds of Bollywood

One of the most anticipated debuts of the year did not involve acting at all. Aryan Khan entered the industry as a director with The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, a sharp, self-aware satire on the Hindi film industry. Packed with inside jokes, exaggerated truths, and bold humour, the series instantly became a talking point.

Whether it was praised for its wit or criticised for its audacity, it never escaped attention. Viral clips, online debates, and controversies followed its release. Audiences were split, but most agreed on one thing: Aryan Khan arrived with a clear voice and fearless confidence. Love it or hate it, the debut ensured he would never be ignored.

Kayoze Irani – Sarzameen

Following closely behind his father’s debut, Kayoze Irani stepped into direction with Sarzameen. The film told the story of an Indian child who grows up to become a militant, starring Ibrahim Ali Khan, Kajol, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Released directly on OTT, the film aimed to explore identity, conflict, and nationalism.

Despite a strong cast, the response was underwhelming. Viewers felt the narrative lacked emotional depth and urgency. However, Kayoze’s attempt to handle a politically sensitive subject in his first film showed ambition.

Kussh S Sinha – Nikita Roy

Son of actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha, Kussh S Sinha chose direction over acting with Nikita Roy. The thriller starred Sonakshi Sinha and aimed to create tension and intrigue. Unfortunately, timing worked against it.

Released during a crowded period dominated by stronger box office waves, the film struggled to stand out. Audience awareness remained low, and the film failed to create buzz despite a known lead. While Nikita Roy did not leave a major mark, Kussh’s preference for genre-driven storytelling suggested he may refine his voice with future projects.

Karan Singh Tyagi – Kesari Chapter 2

An ex-lawyer turned writer-director, Karan Singh Tyagi made a confident debut with Kesari Chapter 2. The film revisited the Jallianwala Bagh massacre through the perspective of advocate Sir C Sankaran Nair, played by Akshay Kumar. Ananya Panday played a pivotal role alongside him.

The film received positive reviews for its intent and courtroom drama, though some felt it played safe emotionally. At the box office, it performed moderately well. Audiences appreciated its historical focus and serious tone. For a debut director, Tyagi showed strong control over narrative and research, setting a solid foundation for future historical storytelling.

Chinmay Mandlekar – Inspector Zende

A familiar face in Marathi cinema, Chinmay Mandlekar surprised audiences with his debut as a director. Inspector Zende was based on the true story of the cop who captured serial killer Charles Sobhraj twice. What made it unique was its light-hearted, almost playful tone.

Released on OTT, the film was well-received for blending crime with humour. Manoj Bajpayee and Jim Sarbh delivered strong performances, while Chinmay’s direction was praised for not turning the story grim. Viewers enjoyed the refreshing take on a known criminal case, making it one of the more appreciated debut efforts of the year.

Anshuman Jha – Lord Curzon Ki Haveli

After years in front of the camera, Anshuman Jha finally released his directorial debut Lord Curzon Ki Haveli. A dark comedy set around an unexpected dinner between four strangers, the film starred Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, Paresh Pahuja, and Zoha Rahman.

Despite an intriguing premise, the film failed to strike a chord. Critics and audiences felt it lacked sharpness and emotional payoff. The theatrical response was muted. While Anshuman’s vision was clear, the execution did not fully land.

Keith Gomes – Badass Ravi Kumar

If chaos had a name in 2025, it would be Badass Ravi Kumar. Directed by Keith Gomes, the musical spoof action film leaned heavily into absurdity. A spin-off from The Xposé, it featured Himesh Reshammiya reprising his iconic role with over-the-top dialogues and wild sequences.

The film received mixed reactions. Some dismissed it as mindless entertainment, while others embraced it as a “so bad it’s good” experience. Memes, laughter, and ironic fandom followed. Keith Gomes clearly understood the madness he was creating, and the film found its audience through sheer audacity rather than logic.

Abhishek Anil Kapur & Sandeep Kewlani – Sky Force

This director duo made their debut with Sky Force, a war drama centred on India’s first airstrike during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war. Starring Akshay Kumar, debutant Veer Pahariya, Sara Ali Khan, and Nimrat Kaur, the film released during the Republic Day weekend.

Critics responded positively to its technical scale and patriotic emotion. The box office performance was steady rather than spectacular. Audiences appreciated the attempt to spotlight a lesser-known chapter of history. For first-time directors, Abhishek and Sandeep delivered a polished film that balanced spectacle with respect.

Shauna Gautam – Nadaaniyan

Shauna Gautam made her debut with Nadaaniyan, a teen romantic comedy produced by Dharmatic Entertainment. The film introduced Ibrahim Ali Khan as an actor alongside Khushi Kapoor. Set in South Delhi’s privileged school environment, the story revolved around a fake relationship that spiralled into chaos.

The film was widely criticised. From performances to writing, Nadaaniyan faced heavy trolling and meme culture online. Both lead actors became internet talking points. While the intent was light-hearted fun, the execution failed to connect with viewers. For Shauna, the debut became a harsh lesson in audience expectations.

Ashwin Kumar – Mahavatar Narsimha

One of the biggest surprises of 2025 came from animation. Ashwin Kumar’s Mahavatar Narsimha redefined what Indian animated cinema could look like. Without a star cast or massive promotions, the film stunned audiences with its visual quality and storytelling.

The film became one of the year’s biggest hits and received widespread praise. Audiences applauded its technical finesse and mythological depth. Ashwin announced an ambitious franchise exploring the avatars of Lord Vishnu, with Mahavatar Parshuram already in development. His debut marked a turning point for Indian animation.

Varsha Bharath – Bad Girl

In Tamil cinema, Varsha Bharath made an unforgettable debut with Bad Girl. A coming-of-age drama starring Anjali Sivaraman, the film explored generational trauma, female desire, and moral ambiguity with honesty and courage.

Premiering at international festivals before its theatrical release, the film received rave reviews. Critics praised Varsha’s fearless portrayal of a flawed protagonist. Audiences connected deeply with its authenticity. Bad Girl emerged as one of the most celebrated debut films of the year, firmly placing Varsha Bharath on the map.

Tisca Chopra – Saali Mohabbat

Tisca Chopra stepped behind the camera with Saali Mohabbat, a mystery thriller starring Radhika Apte, Divyendu Sharma, and Anurag Kashyap. The film followed a small-town housewife whose life spirals after two unsettling deaths.

Premiered at film festivals and released on OTT, the film received strong appreciation for its direction and performances. Viewers praised Tisca’s control over mood and tension. Her debut proved that actors transitioning to direction can bring emotional insight and restraint when given the right material.

The debut directors of 2025 showed that there is no single path to storytelling. Some came from acting, some from writing, some from privilege, and some from pure passion. Not all films worked, but every debut mattered. Together, they painted a year full of risk, experimentation, failure, and triumph.