Aamir Khan To Ajay Devgn: 6 Bollywood Actors Who Are Also Successful Directors

Many of our desi stars have now taken the giant leap into the world of direction from acting. Taking on the dual role of actor and director isn’t easy, but it allows these artists to fully express their creative vision. Here’s a look at six talented actors who have successfully donned the director's hat.

Known as the Singham of Bollywood, Ajay Devgn surprised everyone by stepping into the director's chair with 'U Me Aur Hum.' This heartwarming love story marked his transition from an action hero to a sensitive filmmaker. Ajay continued to impress with films like 'Shivaay' and 'Bhola,' showcasing his versatility not only as an actor but also as a director with a unique storytelling vision.

The Mehta Boys marks the directorial debut of acclaimed actor Boman Irani, known for his stellar performances in films like the Munna Bhai franchise, 3 Idiots, and Khosla Ka Ghosla. Boman also takes on the roles of writer and producer for this project, collaborating with Oscar-winning writer Alex Dinelaris, renowned for his work on the 2014 film Birdman. Starring alongside Boman Irani are Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhary, The Mehta Boys revolves around a father and son at odds with each other, forced to spend 48 hours together. The film recently premiered at the 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) and received a standing ovation from the audience. 

Farhan Akhtar made his writing and directorial debut with the highly acclaimed coming-of-age comedy-drama 'Dil Chahta Hai', produced by Excel Entertainment, a production company he co-established with Ritesh Sidhwani in 1999. This was followed by his directorial works such as Lakshya, Don and Don 2. His next directorial project is anticipated to be Don 3.

R Madhavan, known for his strong presence in both Tamil and Hindi cinema, made his directorial debut with Rocketry: The Nambi Effect in 2022. The biopic about Indian scientist Nambi Narayanan was a passion project for Madhavan, who not only directed but also produced and starred in the film. Rocketry opened to critical acclaim and recently earned him the National Film Award for Best Feature Film.

Known for his perfectionism as an actor, Aamir Khan brings the same dedication to his directorial ventures. His debut film, 'Taare Zameen Par,' touched hearts with its sensitive portrayal of dyslexia. Aamir's directorial endeavours are always characterised by compelling narratives and social relevance, reflecting his commitment to meaningful storytelling.

Kunal Kemmu has been a familiar face in Bollywood, known for his impressive versatility as an actor. But in 2023, he decided to explore new territory by making his directorial debut with Madgaon Express. Backed by Excel Entertainment, the film featured a stellar cast including Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwary, Divyendu Sharma, and Nora Fatehi. Written by Kemmu himself, Madgaon Express proved to be a well-crafted, engaging narrative that resonated with both audiences and critics.