Some actors don’t just shine in front of the camera—they bring a whole new magic behind it too. These Bollywood stars surprised everyone with directorial debuts that were heartfelt, impactful, and full of creative vision.
Boman Irani – The Mehta Boys
Actor- Director Boman Irani, known for his iconic roles in 3 Idiots, Munna Bhai MBBS, and Dunki, made his directorial debut with The Mehta Boys, a deeply emotional story about a father-son relationship. The film stars Boman himself alongside Avinash Tiwary and Shreya Chaudhary, and has already received international attention, having been officially selected for the 15th Annual Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF). With this debut under his own banner Irani Movietone, Boman has proven that his storytelling skills extend far beyond acting.
R. Madhavan – Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
R. Madhavan made a bold and ambitious debut with Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, a biopic based on the life of Indian space scientist Nambi Narayanan. Not only did he direct the film, but he also wrote, produced, and played the lead role, showing incredible commitment to telling this powerful story. The film was praised by critics and audiences alike and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film, establishing Madhavan as a filmmaker with substance and passion.
Kunal Kemmu – Madgaon Express
Kunal Kemmu stepped into direction with Madgaon Express, a nostalgic buddy comedy that struck the right chord with audiences looking for fun, friendship, and chaos. Featuring Divyenndu, Pratik Gandhi, Avinash Tiwary, and Nora Fatehi, the film was produced by Excel Entertainment and quickly became a crowd favourite. With its mix of humour, emotion, and a very relatable Goa plan gone wrong, Kunal’s debut showed his sharp storytelling instincts and flair for lighthearted yet meaningful cinema.
