We all love movies and the one person who makes these movies such lovable are the directors. These directors stay behind the cam but manage everything happening in front of the cam. Today, the directors have become a brand.
There was a time when audiences watched the movies with the names of the lead actors, but today, the audiences know their favorite directors and do not dare to miss their favorite directors’ films. Here is the list of 15 Best Bollywood directors of today. I am sure your favorite director lies in the list below, in case I missed out on your personal favorite, please do share the name below the post by commenting.
We include directors who are equally famous as the actors and their films are also successful.
List of Best and Popular Bollywood Film Directors
Note- The list is only in alphabetical order. and Only those directors of Bollywood are Included who are currently active in Film Making.
Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap is a famous Indian film director, Producer, and Screenwriter. Very few people know, but Anurag wanted to become a scientist and even did his graduation in Zoology. During graduation, the bug of film sting Kashyap and he joined a street theatre group. He came to Mumbai and struggled before he found a job at the Prithvi Theatre. Kashyap wrote a drama, “Main (I)” which did quite well at the colleges.
Anurag started his film career in 1997 with the film, Kabhie Kabhie as a writer and debuted as a director with the short film, “Last Train to Mahakali” in 1999. The first debut film of Anurag was, “Paanch” 2003 but it couldn’t be released. So officially the first debut film was, “Black Friday” 2004 and He is famous for Gangs of Wasseypur.
Also, Read
Dialogues of Gangs of Wasseypur
Signs of Gangs of Wasseypur Addict
Dibakar Banerjee
Dibakar Banerjee is a famous Indian film director, screenwriter and an ad filmmaker. Although Dibakar has not made a long list of films, the quality of film Dibakar makes is worth praising. Dibakar is born and brought up in Delhi and went for Visual communications and Graphic design from NID Ahmedabad, which he didn’t complete. He started working with Sam Mathews (Audio Visual Filmmaker). And soon he started working as a copywriter and made his way on top. He soon launched his own company, “Watermark” and started promoting Big brands and channels.
Dibakar made his debut as a director with the film, “Khosla Ka Ghosla” in 2006. But the film that brought Dibakar in talks of the town was, “Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!” in 2008. Infamous thief, Bunty wanted to kill Dibakar because of the film, which was based on him.
Farhan Akhtar
Farhan Akhtar, son of Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani is a famous actor, producer, playback singer, lyricist, host, screenwriter and one of the Best Director of Bollywood. Coming to Bollywood was easy for Farhan but he managed to make his name himself. College dropout Farhan started his career in Bollywood as an assistant director with the film, Lamhe in 1991. Farhan established his own company, Excel Entertainment and made his debut as a director in 2001 with the film, Dil Chahta Hai which was very famous. His very first film as a director won the National Award and after that Farhan never looked back.
Farhan Akhtar has a long list of films as a director, as an actor and has won many prestigious awards.
Imtiaz Ali
Imtiaz Ali is a famous actor, writer, and an Indian film director. Imtiaz hails from Bihar and his father did irrigation jobs. Imtiaz got in touch with acting during his college years. He was a part of college theatre. Imtiaz began his career by directing Television programs and in 2005 made his debut with the film, Socha Na Tha. Most of all, his film have been loved and praised by the critics and the audiences. After Jab We Met and Rockstar, Imtiaz Ali became one of the topmost directors of Indian Film Industry.
His last film was Highway, which was also one of the most successful films of Imtiaz.
Karan Johar
Karan Johar also referred as KJo is a very famous Indian film director for Romantic Films, producer, screenwriter, costume designer, actor, television host and reality show judge. Son of famous Yash Johar, Karan Johar made an easy way in Indian Film Industry but today, people know KJo by his work. KJo is one of the directors who is known to have the highest grossing films under his name. Karan Johar is known for making memorable love stories.
Karan Johar started his Bollywood career as an actor with the film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge in 1995 and made his debut as a director in 1998 with the film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. KJo has won numerous prestigious awards and Honours.
Milan Luthria
Milan Luthria is an Indian film director and son of famous director and producer Raj Khosla. Milan started his career as an assistant director in 1993 with the film, Lootere. Milan made his directorial debut in 1999 with the film, Kachche Dhaage. Milan came in limelight with the film, The Dirty Picture in 2011 and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai.
Also Read: Dialogues of Once Upon a Time In Mumbaai
Milan has been nominated for many awards and has won 3 awards in the year 2012.
Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam (Gopala Ratnam Subramaniam) is an Indian FIlm Director, screenwriter, and producer. Although Mani Ratnam works mostly in Tamil Cinema he has given some amazing films to Bollywood as well. Mani Ratnam’s father, Ratnam Iyer was a film producer. Mani Ratnam worked as a management consultant before he came into films. Mani Ratnam started his career as a director in 1983 with a Kannada film, Pallavi Anu Pallavi. Mani Ratnam made his directorial debut in Hindi films with “Dil Se..” (1998).
Rakesh Roshan
Rakesh Roshan’s complete name is Rakesh Roshan Lal Nagrath. Rakesh is a famous Indian Actor, producer, and Director. Rakesh’s father was a Bollywood music director and thus Rakesh made an easy entry into Bollywood. He started his career as a supporting actor with the film, Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani in 1970 and made his directorial debut in 1987 with the film, Khudgarz.
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was an avid swimmer and was part of selection camp in 1982 Asian Games. Interestingly, Rakeysh started his career by selling Eureka Forbes Vaccum Cleaners before he started his career in Ad filmmaking and then directing music videos and after that directing films. Rakeysh is very well known for his film, Rang De Basanti, although he started his career as a Director with the film Aks in 2001.
Rajkumar Hirani
Rajkumar Hirani is also known as Raju Hirani is a famous Indian film director, Screenwriter and film editor. Rajkumar Hirani got involved in Theatre during his college years. Hirani tried for an acting course in Film and Television Institute of India, Pune but the acting course was shut down so he did an editing course from FTII. He established himself as a director of Advertising films. He did a good in Ad films business and then started working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra which opened his doors in Bollywood Industry. He is famous for his movies Based on Social Issues and Family movies.
If you ask all 14 Directors of this list, that who is the number one director of Bollywood. you will get the same reply from all “Raju Hirani is the Best Director of Bollywood“
Rajkumar Hirani made his directorial debut with Munna Bhai M.B.B.S in 2003. Hirani’s film 3 Idiots stole the show and brought him in the top Directors List forever. Hirani has won numerous prestigious awards from 2004 and the list is still growing.
Also Read: Best 3 Idiots Dialogues and Memes
Rohit Shetty
Rohit Shetty is known for his action and comedy films, he is a famous director and cinematographer. Son of famous actor and fight master, M B Shetty, Rohit loves action involving Cars in his films. Started working at a young age, Rohit was just 17 when he assisted, Director Kuku Kohli for the film, Phool Aur Kaante. Rohit made his directorial Debut with a flop film, Zameen in 2003. But the failure didn’t come in his way. Today, India’s second highest grossing film worldwide, Chennai Express comes under his name.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a very famous film director, Editor, Writer, Music Director, Producer and founder of SLB Films, a film production house. Bhansali is known for making grand Love sagas and the grand sets of his films.
Bhansali started his career as an assistant director to Vidhu Vinod Chopra and made his debut as a director with the film, Khamoshi: The Musical. His recent film, Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela performed fabulously at the Box Office. Bhansali has won many prestigious awards.
Tigmanshu Dhulia
Tigmanshu Dhulia is an Indian film director, Actor, Screenwriter and casting director. Tigmanshu came into limelight for his role in Cult film, Gangs of Wasseypur. He started his directorial work with the film, Haasil in 2003 and His Famous movie is Paan Singh Tomar starring Irrfan Khan.
Tigmanshu has done a Master’s degree in Theatre at the National School of Drama in New Delhi.
Vishal Bhardwaj
Vishal Bhardwaj is an Indian film director, writer, screenwriter, producer, music composer and playback singer. Vishal got involved in the Delhi Theater during his college days. Vishal used to play harmonium at various food festivals which opened his doors to success. He was recommended to filmmaker Gulzar and then he never looked back. He worked as a music composed initially and later started directing films. His first film as a director was Makdee, a children’s film. His latest film Haider is about to hit the screens starring Shahid Kapoor.
Zoya Akhtar
Zoya Akhtar, Daughter of Javed Akhtar and sister of Farhan Akhtar is a famous Director and an actor. Zoya has learned Film production from New York University Film School. Very fewer people know, but Zoya started her career with the film, “Kamasutra“. Although the role was very short she was part of a very bold film. Zoya has worked as a casting director for Kamasutra and many other films as well.
Zoya made her directorial debut with the film, Luck By Chance. But she is very famously known for her film, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and Dil Dhadhakne Do.
