Top 10 Bollywood Directors Who Turned Actors

It is not just the known faces of Bollywood making a mark for them. The directors are no less in setting the trends. Below here are ten Bollywood directors who made a momentous appearance as actors.

1. Prakash Jha

Who hasn’t felt awe at the most striking films such as Gangaajal, Apaharan, Satyagraha and many others? Prakash Jha has the credit for these movies under his sleeve. With his upcoming project, Jai Gangaajal, Prakash is expected to take a step further. He intends to rub shoulders with Priyanka Chopra in the forthcoming cop film. He received immense praise for his acting skills following the teaser of the film.

2. Kunal Kohli

The director who is celebrated for his films like Hum Tum and Fanaa is soon to be seen on the other side of the camera. Kunal is soon making a debut in acting with the movie, Phir Se. His acting is highly acknowledged by film critics after the release of the movie trailer.

3. Farah Khan

She is the woman who knows it all. The choreographer turned director turned actor is credited with blockbusters like Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om. She has had many cameo roles over the course of time but she finally made her appearance prominent on-screen in the movie Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi.

4. Tigmanshu Dhulia

He is still remembered for his excellent direction in movies like Paan Singh Tomar and Haasil. He is also accredited for his seemingly effortless performance in Gangs of Wasseypur and prominent presence in Shahid and Manjhi – The Mountain Man. Tigmanshu really knows his art well, both as a director and an actor.

5. Karan Johar

He is known for his charmingly cute cameo role in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge which was his debut film. Karan Johar has marked a remarkable journey since then and has directed notable movies like My Name Is Khan, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho etc. He gave a full-fledged performance as an actor in Bombay Velvet. Though the film did not pull off well, his acting was much appreciated.

6. Mahesh Manjrekar

He is a known face in Hindi and Marathi film industry. The actor turned director has won National Award for his film Astitva in 2000. His films such as Vaastav: The Reality and Viruddh…Family Comes First received critical appreciation. He has made a significant presence in films such as Kaante, Musafir, Slumdog Millionaire and Bajirao Mastani.

7. Farhan Akhtar

He is the ideal figure for directors who turned actors. He set out his directorial career in Bollywood with his trendsetter movie, Dil Chahta Hai. He has also contributed tremendously towards other remarkable films such as Lakshya and Don. He made a debut in acting with a Bollywood blockbuster Rock On. His other notable roles include Yeh Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Wazir. He is a leading light as much as his directed films are.

8. Amole Gupte

The most critically acclaimed film Stanley Ka Dabba is credited to the directorial of Amole Gupte. He has also contributed significantly as the creative director and screenwriter of Taare Zameen Par. Amole has to his praise notable performances as an actor in films like Stanley Ka Dabba and Kaminey.

9. Anurag Kashyap

The director who is known for his film Gangs of Wasseypur made an acting debut with the film Shagird under the directorial of Tigmanshu Dhulia. He continued to make his presence felt as an actor in movies like Bhoothnath Returns, I Am and Happy New Year.

10. Nagesh Kukunoor

He has won National Awards for films he acted in, most of them being as part of his own directorial. He has directed films like Iqbal, Rockford, Dor and Lakshmi. He appeared as an actor in his very own debut film as a director Hyderabad Blues.