Actors turn directors in Bollywood

Actors doubling up as directors — is a phenomenon not unheard of in Bollywood. Over the years, actors have been donning the directorial hat in filmistaan. In the A-list of brilliant directors today, you find that some are multi-faceted — they can also act!
Creativity and management — is a curious mix that can indeed, cast its spell on films. Check out the brilliant examples in Bollywood. Just as there are many such success stories in Hollywood too.
Turning the heat on is Ajay Devgn. Buzz is out that he is all set to don the director’s hat once again with his ambitious magnum opus — ‘Shivaay’. Besides producing the film, Devgn is launching a fresh face too. Making her debut in this film is newcomer Sayesha, who has roots in Bollywood. She is Dilip Kumar’s grand niece and daughter of 90s actress Shaheen. His directorial debut happened in 2008, when he co-produced ‘U Me Aur Hum’. However, it was in 2000, that Ajay Devgn had set up his production company, which he launched with ‘Raju Chacha’, where his wife Kajol starred in the lead role.
Another prominent case in point is actor Prabhu Deva. Kicking off his career in the movie industry as a choreographer, he later he turned into an actor and director. After directing movies like — ‘Wanted’, ‘Rowdy Rathore’, ‘R… Rajkumar’, he now puts on his dancing shoes in Ajay Devgn’s next — ‘Action Jackson’! And, fans of Devgn are in for a special treat — they will see him grooving like before!
‘Multi-faceted’ is the only way to describe Farhan Akhtar. Young, talented his expertise covers a creative range — acting to music to direction. One of Bollywood’s most imaginative popular film makers, his debut film ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ is still considered to be a landmark — for its amazing script and his unique stamp of direction. Later, his movies like ‘Lakshya’ and ‘Don’ series created a huge impact at the box-office.
Then, we can’t forget Aamir Khan who clearly set the cash registers ringing at the BO. It’s not just that, he has also taken creativity and marketing strategy to another level with his directorial venture ‘Taare Zameen Par’. After its release, Aamir admitted that he couldn’t have imagined a better response and all his day dreams have come true. “The response that I have got for my very first film is like a dream response. I feel at a loss for words,” he said.
Other Bollywood actors too, have tried their hand at direction. Action hero Sunny Deol made a romantic film ‘Dillagi’ — casting his younger brother Bobby Deol and the stunning Urmila Matondkar. The film, produced by his superstar father Dharmendra, however, didn’t work well with the audience.
With the Kapoor khandaan it was a different story. Bollywood’s original showman Raj Kapoor was a successful director and an equally good actor. Unlike his father, Rishi Kapoor made a forgettable directoral debute in 1999 with ‘Aa Ab Laut Chalen’ starring Akshaye Khanna and beauty queen Aishwarya Rai.
Besides the Khans and Kapoors, another successful actor-turned-director is the veteran actor Rakesh Roshan who gave so many hits to the industry. If you remember, he had launched his son — Hrithik Roshan with the blockbuster ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai’. Later, they teamed up in the ‘Krrish’ series.
The journey from acting to directing is not easy. First, you need to know the industry. Plus you need to know the business in and out, so that you last. And, keep delivering hit after hit.