Bollywood’s Unsuccessful Actors Who Became Successful Directors
Posted On: 26 Dec 2022 | Last Updated : 27 Dec 2022 | Views : 1.2k
When it comes to the biggest Indian entertainment industry, Bollywood, one is expected to be multitalented and have a sheer knowledge about Bollywood movies to succeed in the industry. Thus, time and again, we see people transitioning from one role to another in the industry, like the choreographers become film directors, actors try their talent in singing, singers try their hand in acting, while the directors become the producers and vice versa. The Bollywood actors are the ones who are most involved with the movies, after the directors of the movies, which helps them gain utter knowledge about the filmmaking concepts and techniques. So, on a number of occasions, we see the actors switching their profession from acting to helming the films, which is reasoned with lack of good roles on offer for the actors, or just their interest in filmmaking. Thus, we will today talk about some of the unsuccessful Bollywood actors who became directors.
1. Abhishek Kapoor
One of the famous Bollywood directors, Abhishek Kapoor started his career as an actor with the 1996 film Aashique Mastane, opposite Monica Bedi, which was directed by Ajay Kashyap. Later, he appeared in the Twinkle Khanna-starrer, Uff! Yeh Mohabbat (1997). However, the actor didn’t get much success in his career, and it is when he decided to switch gears in his career and try his luck in filmmaking. Abhishek Kapoor made his debut as a director with the 2006 action-sports drama Aryan, starring Sohail Khan and Sneha Ullal. The director is best known for helming movies like Rock On!! (2008), Kai Po Che (2013), Kedarnath (2018) and Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021).
2. Ashutosh Gowariker
The multitalented Ashutosh Gowariker is one of Bollywood’s unsuccessful actors turned hit directors, who along with the actor and director is also a producer and screenwriter. He started his career as an actor with the 1984 film Holi, directed by Ketan Mehta. Following his acting debut in Bollywood, the actor went on to appear in several television shows. Later, he started his career as a director in Bollywood, and made his directorial debut with a successful film Pehla Nasha (1993), featuring Deepak Tijori, Pooja Bhatt and Raveena Tandon. Some of the best movies under his direction include Lagaan (2001), Swades (2004), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Mohenjo Daro (2016), Panipat: The Great Betrayal (2019) and many more.
3. Rakesh Roshan
Father of superstar Hrithik Roshan, Rakesh Roshan is an Indian film director, actor, producer and screenwriter. He is the son of famous music director Roshan and Bengali singer Ira Roshan. Rakesh Roshan started his career as an actor with the 1970 film Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani, and gained immense popularity with his lengthy supporting roles in the movies in the 1970s and 1980s. He appeared in movies like Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972), Nafrat (1973), Trimurti (1974), Anand Ashram (1977), Hatyara (1977), Devata (1978), Khandaan (1979) and many more. He started his career as a producer with the 1980 film Aap Ke Deewane, featuring himself, Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim. As a director he started his career with the 1987 film Khudgarz, and gained the popularity for directing movies whose titles started with letter K, including movies like Khoon Bhari Maang (1988), Kala Bazaar (1989), Kishen Kanhaiya (1990), King Uncle (1993), Karan Arjun (1995), Koyla (1997), Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000) and many more.
4. Subhash Ghai
Indian film director, actor, producer and screenwriter, Subhash Ghai is another Bollywood unsuccessful actor who became a hit director. Subhash Ghai is known to be one of the most popular directors of the 70s, 80s, and 90s but many may not know that the director came to the city of dreams, Mumbai to fulfil his dream of being an actor. During the start of his career, Subhash Ghai managed to get some good films, like Taqdeer (1967), Aradhana (1969), Umang (1970) and Gumrah (1976). However, due to lack of good acting roles, Subhash Ghai switched his career to being a director. He made his directorial debut with the 1976 film Kalicharan, featuring Shatrughan Sinha, which was a blockbuster. He is best known for directing movies like Vidhaata (1982), Hero (1983), Meri Jung (1985), Karma (1986), Ram Lakhan (1989), Saudagar (1991), Khalnayak (1993) and many more.
5. Arbaaz Khan
Arbaaz Salim Abdul Rashid Khan, popularly known as Arbaaz Khan is the younger brother of superstar Salman Khan and son of famous writer and director, Salim Khan. Following the footsteps of his brother, Arbaaz Khan started his career as an actor with the 1996 film Daraar, in which he played a villainous role of a psycho wife-beater, and received Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role. He went on to act in movies like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Garv: Pride and Honour (2004), Hulchul (2004), Malamaal Weekly (2006), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), Kisaan (2009) and many more. In 2010, the actor started his production house named Arbaaz Khan Productions, and his first film under the banner was Dabangg (2010). In 2012, he made his directorial debut with the action drama Dabangg 2, starring Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha.
6. Shekhar Kapur
Shekhar Kulbhushan Kapur, popularly known as Shekhar Kapur, is a filmmaker and actor, who is the recipient of several accolades, like National Film Award, Filmfare Awards and National Board of Review Award. He started his career as an actor with the 1974 film Ishk Ishk Ishk, and later starred in several television serials and shows. However, he didn’t get much success as an actor and switched his career to being a director, and became one of the flop Bollywood actors who became a successful director. He is known for directing superhit movies, like Masoom (1983), Mr. India (1987), Bandit Queen (1994), Elizabeth (1998) and many more.
7. Mahesh Manjrekar
Another Bollywood director, screenwriter, producer and actor on the list, Mahesh Manjrekar is one of the Bollywood actors who turned directors. He started his career as an actor with the 2001 film Ehsaas: The Feeling, and went on to appear in movies like Kaante (2002), Plan (2004), Run (2004), Zinda (2006), Dus Kahaniyaan (2007), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Wanted (2009), Dabangg (2010) and many more. He was known for appearing in several movies in supporting roles, and then switched to film direction. He has directed movies like Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai (2000), Hathyar (2002), Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaata (2003), Rakht (2004), Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005), Antim: The Final Truth (2021) and many more.
8. Sajid Khan
Younger brother of choreographer turned director Farah Khan, Sajid Khan started his career as a TV host after which he made his Bollywood acting debut in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1998 comedy drama Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate. Thereafter he played cameos in films like Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa, Main Hoon Na, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi before turning director in 2006 with Darna Zaroori Hai where he helmed the introductory story of the anthology. He turned full-fledged director with the superhit Heyy Babyy in 2007 which was followed by Housefull (2010), Housefull 2 (2012), Himmatwala (2013) and Humshakals (2014). Though Humshakals and Himmatwala faired averagely but his other three releases raked in good moolah at the box office.
