Popular Bollywood Comedians Who Went On To Become Directors
Posted On: 06 Mar 2023 | Last Updated : 07 Mar 2023 | Views : 1.1k
Filled with celebrities possessing multiple talents, Bollywood industry intends to bring the best out of its members to ensure utmost entertainment for the cine-lovers. Where most people only recognize the people on-screen, it takes joint efforts of the entire crew to make a movie blockbuster. Thus, the people behind the camera are equally, sometimes more, important than the actors for the success of the movie. While some actors continue their career on-screen, others decide to venture into different lines of career in Bollywood, like film direction, production etc., to showcase their talents. In the past, Bollywood has witnessed many lead actors or actresses becoming filmmakers; however, we cannot miss noticing this shift of career in the life of the most talented comedians of Bollywood. From very first to most recent Bollywood comedians, I.S. Johar and Rajpal Yadav, have ventured into film direction, and didn’t miss keeping their fans entertained in either role. So today, we are going to talk about such important Bollywood comedians who became directors.
1. I. S. Johar
Born in the 1920s, Inderjeet Singh Johar or I.S. Johar started his career as an actor at a very young age, and went on to act in several Bollywood films, mostly in comedic roles. He has worked in movies like Nastik (1954), Bewaqoof (1960), Banarasi Thug (1962), Johar-Mehmood in Kashmir (1965), Johar in Bombay (1967), Johny Mera Naam (1970), Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong (1971), Dastaan (1972) and many more. The actor and comedian was often regarded as one of the multi-talented celebrities of Bollywood who tried his luck in filmmaking, and became one of the top Bollywood comedians turned directors. Some of the movies directed by I.S. Johar, include Nastik (1954), Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan (1957), Bewaqoof (1960), Johar in Kashmir (1965), 5 Rifles (1974), Nasbandi (1978), etc.
2. Asit Sen
Another Bollywood comedian turned director in the list is Asit Sen, who started his career as an assistant director for Bimal Roy in Kolkata. In the 1950s, he started his career in Bollywood as an actor, and went on to appear in over 200 films, mostly featuring in a hilarious role. Some of the initial movies of his career include Pehla Aadmi (1950), Amanat (1955), Kabuliwala (1961), Jaal (1967), Do Raaste (1969), Anand (1971), and many more. The movies under his direction include Parivaar (1956), and Apradhi Kaun (1957).
3. Om Prakash
Om Prakash Chibber, professionally known as Om Prakash, was an Indian actor born in Kashmir. He started his career as a radio jockey, and later was spotted by an Indian filmmaker named Dalsukh Pancholi, who offered him a role in his movie, Daasi (1944). The movie was a breakthrough in Om Prakash’s career, which gave him entry in the Bollywood industry. The actor was seen in several movies, mostly in a comedic role, some of his best works include Padosan (1968), Aankh Micholi (1972), Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal (1979) and Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986). Later, Om Prakash tried his career in film direction and directed movies like Duniya Gol Hai (1955), Gateway of India (1957) and Kanhaiya (1959).
4. Mehmood
The Indian actor, director, singer and comedian, Mehmood Ali was a man with multi-talents, who was the recipient of several Filmfare awards and is regarded as the national comedian of India. The actor was mostly seen in comedic supporting roles, who was once complimented to be too good looking for being a comedian. He is best remembered for his roles in movies like C.I.D. (1956), Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966), Padosan (1968), Bombay to Goa (1972), Do Phool (1974), Kunwara Baap (1974), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), etc. He then tried his luck in film direction to expand his career, by directing movies like Bhoot Bungla (1965), Kunwara Baap (1974), Ginny Aur Johnny (1976), Janta Hawaldar (1979), Dushman Duniya Ka (1996), etc. Thus, it can be stated that if there’d ever be a list of top 10 comedians turned directors in Bollywood, Mehmood Ali would surely make it to the list.
5. Asrani
Govardhan Asrani, popularly known as Asrani, is a famous Indian actor, director and comedian, who started his career as an actor with the 1966 film Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan. Later, he started appearing in a series of movies in important supporting roles. He became a household name with his role of Jailor in Sholay (1975), which also helped him gain the recognition of an important comedian in the Bollywood industry. He has appeared in comedic roles in a number of movies, like Mili (1975), Rafoo Chakkar (1975), Sholay (1975), Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978), Malamaal Weekly (2006), Dhamaal (2007), Bol Bachchan (2012), etc. Asrani is one of Bollywood comedians turned directors, who is known for his directorial ventures like Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977), Salaam Memsaab (1979), Dil Hi Toh Hai (1992), Udaan (1997), etc.
6. Mohan Choti
Born as Mohan Rakshakar, the Indian actor and comedian, Mohan Choti changed his name after getting inspired by one of his fictional characters in the 1957 movie Musafir. Initially, Mohan worked as a constable, who got his big break in the Bollywood industry, and soon made his name in the industry as a comedian. He has been seen in a number of movies, including Upkar (1967), Brahmachari (1968), Anjan Hai Koyee (1969), Hunterwaali 77 (1977), Jaani Dost (1983), Naseebwala (1992), and many more. In the 1970s, the comedian decided to try his luck in film direction and directed movies like Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty (1975) and Hunterwaali (1977).
7. Deven Verma
The Indian film and television actor, Deven Verma was particularly popular for appearing in comedic roles. He had worked with some of the best filmmakers of his times, like Basu Chatterjee, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Gulzar. He has appeared in several movies, including Chori Mera Kaam (1975), Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1978), Judaai (1980), Angoor (1982), King Uncle (1993), etc. In the 1970s and 1980s, this Bollywood comedian decided to try his career in film direction and directed a few movies, like Nadaan (1971), Bada Kabutar (1973), Besharam (1978) and Dana Paani (1989).
8. Utpal Dutt
The Indian actor, director and writer, Utpal Dutt was an important personality in Bengali Theatre, and later became a pioneering person in Indian Theatre, where he often acted in the plays addressing the social and political issues persisting in the country. Soon after, he started his career in Bollywood industry and often appeared in light-hearted comedic roles. His best works include Guddi (1971), Gol Maal (1979), Naram Garam (1981), Shaukeen (1982), Rang Birangi (1983), and many more. The actor also directed certain movies, like Megh (1961), Jharh (1971), Maa (1984), Inquilaab Ke Baad (1984), etc.
9. Johny Walker
One of the earliest comedians of Indian cinema, Johny Walker is best known for playing the role of drunkard in Bollywood movies. He often was seen in the movies as the sidekick of the lead actor, and successfully added the element of comedy in any scene he appeared. Some of the best films of the comedian’s career include C.I.D. (1956), Madhumati (1958), Shikar (1968), Anand (1971), Chachi 420 (1997) and many more. Many may not know, but Johny Walker is one of the Bollywood comedians turned directors, who directed the 1986 film Pahunchey Huwe Log, featuring Leena Das and Karim Hajee.
10. Jagdeep
Father of famous comedian, actor and dancer Javed Jaffrey, Syed Ishtiaq Jaffrey, better known as Jagdeep, was an Indian actor, director and comedian, who has appeared in more than 400 Bollywood films in his entire career. The actor is best known for playing the role of comedic character called Soorma Bhopali in the 1975 classic movie Sholay. Other important movies of his career include Bhai Ho To Aisa (1972), Bees Saal Baad (1989), Nigahen: Nagina Part II (1989), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (2009) and many more. After achieving great success in his acting career, the actor decided to make a movie based on one of the most face fiction characters played by him, which was Soorma Bhopali (1988), which was one and only movie directed by Jagdeep.
11. Satish Kaushik
If there would ever be a list of top 10 comedians turned directors in Bollywood, Satish Kaushik would definitely make it to the list. Born in Haryana, Satish Kaushik is one of the well-known Indian actor, director, producer, comedian and screenwriter. Often appeared in comedic roles in movies, the actor has played some iconic roles, like ‘Calendar’ in Mr. India (1987) and ‘Pappu Pager’ in Deewana Mastana (1997). Other important movies of his career include Ram Lakhan (1990), Pardesi Babu (1998), Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999), Kaagaz (2021), and many more. He then ventured into film direction, and made his directorial debut with the 1993 film Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, featuring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi. Later, he went on to direct movies like Prem (1995), Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001), Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002), Karzzzz (2008), and Kaagaz (2021).
12. Anupam Kher
The Indian actor, director and producer, Anupam Kher is known as one of the most versatile actors of Indian film industries, who has worked in Hindi, English, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam language movies. One of the leading actors of Indian parallel cinema, Anupam Kher is seen playing comedic roles in movies like Beta (1992), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kya Kehna (2000), Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006), The Shaukeens (2014) and many more. After winning the hearts of the audience with his acting, the actor went on to try his career in filmmaking and produced movies like Bariwali (2000) and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005) and directed Om Jai Jagadish (2002).
13. Rajpal Yadav
Rajpal Yadav is an Indian actor and comedian, who gained widespread recognition for his negative role in the 2000 action film Jungle. The actor started his career from television, and went on to develop his career in Bollywood, and now has successfully gained immense popularity. Some of the notable works of Rajpal Yadav in comedic roles include Kyaa Kool Hain Hum (2004), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Phir Hera Pheri (2004), Chup Chup Ke (2006), Bhoothnath (2008), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2008), Khatta Meetha (2010), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) and many more. Rajpal Yadav is one of the comedians’ turned directors in Bollywood, who started his career as a film director in 2012 with the film Ata Pata Lapatta.
14. Sunil Pal
Sunil Pal is an Indian comedian, actor and voice artist, who was the winner of the Indian comedy reality show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. The TV show gave him a great popularity, which then helped him in landing good comedic supporting roles in Bollywood movies, and developing his career in the Indian film industry. He has acted in movies like Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Apna Sapna Money Money (2006), Bombay To Goa (2007), Krazzy 4 (2008), Main Hoon Rajinikanth (2015) and many more. Like others on the list, Sunil Pal is also one of the comedians who became directors in Bollywood, who directed Bollywood movies like Bhavnao Ko Samjho (2010), Money Back Guarantee (2016) and Wig Boss (2019).
