Actors turned Directors in Bollywood

There's no doubt that our film industry is full of talented people. Bollywood has a wide range of versatile actors who go much beyond their acting field. They have also tried their hands on direction. While some actor-turned-directors became a hit, some bombed at the box office too.


We are talking here about the finest actor of our film fraternity, our very own Mr. Perfectionist, Aamir Khan. Aamir is stated to be one of the best actors we have got in our industry. He is a perfectionist, an achiever and a fighter too. He has proved that he is the future of the country and he is here to stay for a long time. He has always got into the skin of each of his character and gives the best. Aamir has not just shown his versatility in acting but also by directing one of the finest films of last year 'Taare Zameen Par'. The film proved how sensible and sensitive Aamir is. Aamir was awarded the best director of the year. He surely is one guy whom we can call the Jack of all trades.


Ajay Devgan is also one of the versatile actors who have not typecast himself. He is an action hero, romantic hero, the comedy hero and even our serious hero. Well what we can not forget here is that he turned a director this year with a love story U Me aur Hum.

Ajay challenged himself and directed a very emotional, sensible and romantic movie which was appreciated and loved by all. Ajay proved that his sense of filmmaking is definitely as good as his acting skills. Well, all we can say after watching his directorial debut is that he surely must be a romantic and a sensitive lover.

In 1987, Rakesh Roshan aka Guddu turned director with the film Khudgarz. His directorial career proved to be better than his career as an actor. He is one guy who we can say always hit the bull's eye with his directorial attempts. He as a director can be remembered for some of his massive hit films like Khoon Bhari Mang, Kaho Naa Pyar Hai, Krish, Koi Mil Gaya, Kishen Kanhaiya and Khel. May be the 'K' factor actually proved right for this man.

With just 1 flop in his directorial career Rakesh Roshan is now supposed to be one of the best directors in our film industry whom the Johars and Chopras can find a threat in.


Our Dutt saab also switched his career from an actor to a director in the year 1964. He directed a different kind of a film. The film was based on a new concept and yet was a semi hit.

He then tried his hand at few more movies like Rocky and Reshma aur Shera to name a few. All his movies were acclaimed and appreciated by the audiences. We can surely say Dutt saab has contributed a lot to Hindi cinema by giving some hit movies.

Raj Kapoor, the original showman of Hindi cinema has always created magic on the silver screen. Be it his acting skills or his direction, he has always flabbergasted his audiences.

He has directed classics like Mera Naam Joker and created enchantment at the box office with films like Shri 420, Bobby and Satyam Shivam Sundaram to name a few. No wonder Raj Kapoor was called the showman of our Hindi cinema.

Dabboo as he is fondly known by our industry walas, Randhir kapoor the cute green eyed boy stole the heart of all the girls with his impish looks, superb acting and great comic timing. He also won the heart of the audiences with some great movies directed by him.

He started his directorial debut with the film Kal Aaj Aur Kal in the year 1971. His first film was a blockbuster and he gave many more hits with films like Dharam Karam and Heena. He too proved that the industry is full with such talent and versatility

While all these male actors have excelled in direction we even have a lady to compete with these guys. Revathy Menon better known as the Maggie of Salman starrer Love has also proved that talent knows no boundaries.

She has not only proved herself as a great actress but also shown the caliber in her as a director. Revathy has directed some excellent offbeat movies like Mitr - My Friend and Phir Milenge. Revathy is one woman who has stood out and made her place in this male dominated industry.

With such great actors getting into direction our few more actors got inspired by them and tried their hand in direction. Although all the other actors have done 3- 4 movies as a director Hema Malini (Dil Aashna Hai), Rishi Kapoor (Aa Ab Laut Chale), Sunny Deol (Dillagi) and Nana Patekar (Prahaar) tried directing only one movie till date. All these actors did not prove to be good and rather their movies bombed at the box office. Nana Patekar was the only exception in this case whose directorial movie Prahaar in the year 1991 was a hit and he too proved that he has got the versatility in him.

With all such talented people around, we wonder where will Bollywood head to in another few years. We are sure that these were just the few ones and the rest and best is still to come.

Ashutosh gawikar was also an actor , in circus , khabhi haan kabhi naa ....

Loved both Aamir's and Ajay's directorial debuts, both movies were fantastic 👏

Ajay, Aamr and Raj kapoor are best directors from that list 👏

I only like Ajya's.......... 😳

thnx for sharing...
aamir is my fav

i loved aamir khan's, raj kapoor direction they were superb i even liked sunny deols movie dillagi

i was surprised to read that revathi was the director for phir milenge. she did a great job!

out of the list i really like dabboo, rakesh roshan, and raj kapoor.