Almost everyone wants to see themselves on celluloid. Some walk the extra mile and fulfil their dreams, while others fail to muster up enough courage to realize their dreams. If you are a Hindi film enthusiast, you must have heard about actors who turned directors and called the shots for films. But do you know that there is also a long list of directors who could not keep themselves away from the charm of acting and ended up starring in films? Today, we have rounded up some top Bollywood directors who turned actors and acted in more than one film. Have a look!
Farhan Akhtar
Farhan Akhtar is perhaps the most successful director-actor duo in the Hindi film industry. He began his directorial career with the cult film, Dil Chahta Hai. After Dil Chahta Hai, he helmed movies like Lakshya and Don. It was in 2008 when Akhtar decided to listen to the actor within and made his acting debut with Rock On!! The film was a success at the box office with Farhan receiving praises for his sterling performance from all corners. Since then, he has starred in many successful films Luck By Chance, Zindagi Milegi Nahi Dobara, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, etc.
Anurag Kashyap
Anurag Kashyap is one of the most unconventional filmmakers of Bollywood. After directing a host of dark and gritty films like Black Friday, Dev D, Gulaal, and Gangs Of Wasseypur among others, when he decided to try his hands at acting, he chose roles which were similar to various characters in his own films – shady and full of flaws. Kashyap has acted in films like Soundtrack, Shagird, I am and Akira. Critics highly praised his negative performance in Akira, which also starred Sonakshi Sinha.
Karan Johar
The helmer of blockbuster films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, My Name Is Khan and Student Of The Year played a full-fledged grey character in Anurag Kashyap’s ambitious film, Bombay Velvet. Everyone was quite excited about his full-fledged debut after a brief appearance in friend Aditya Chopra’s first directorial, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. However, Bombay Velvet tanked at the box office without a trace, despite Karan receiving positive reviews for his performance. KJo put up his next appearance in his own production, Shaandaar.
Tigmanshu Dhulia
The list of Bollywood directors who turned actors cannot be completed without including immensely talented filmmaker-actor Tigmanshu Dhulia. The director of commercially and critically successful films like Haasil, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster and Paan Singh Tomar has displayed his acting chops in a number of films including Hero, Gangs Of Wasseypur, and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster. He will be seen next as Shah Rukh Khan’s father in Aanand L Rai’s upcoming dwarf film.
Sudhir Mishra
The director of films like Chameli, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and Inkaar surprised everyone with his brilliant performance in Madhur Bhandarkar’s popular film Traffic Signal. Mishra played a villainous character in the film and was praised for his performance. After Traffic Signal, he was seen in Raat Gayi Baat Gayi.
Mahesh Manjrekar
Mahesh Manjrekar has done brilliant work as a director in innumerable films like Vaastav, Astitva, Kurukshetra, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai and Hathyar. But besides being an amazing filmmaker, he is an effortless performer also. Manjrekar has impressed the audience with his acting chops in films like Kaante, Plan, Run, Zinda, Slumdog Millionaire, Wanted, Dabangg, Ready and Bodyguard, to name just a few.
Farah Khan
The multi-talented woman has done it all – from choreographing to film direction and hosting to acting. After making top stars of Bollywood dance to her steps, the immensely talented lady made her directorial debut with the Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer, Om Shanti Om. The film was a blockbuster at the ticket window and launched her career as a filmmaker. She then made her full-fledged acting debut with the film Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi opposite Boman Irani. The movie received a favourable response from the audience and critics, too. Since then, she has made brief appearances in films like Student Of The Year and Happy New Year.
Nagesh Kukunoor
Nagesh Kukunoor, who proved his mettle as a filmmaker with award-winning films like Rockford, Iqbal, Dor, Lakshmi and Dhanak, has been an actor since his very first directorial, Hyderabad Blues. He has also appeared in films like Bollywood Calling, 3 Deewarein, Dor Iqbal and Aashayein, to name just a few.
Amol Gupte
Amol Gupte is good at both crafts – direction as well as acting. As a director, he has to his credit beautiful films like Stanley Ka Dabba, Hawa Hawai and Sniff while, as an actor, he has been parts of some amazing films like Kaminey, Stanley Ka Dabba, Singham Returns and Phas Gaye Re Obama. His outstanding performances in Kaminey and Stanley Ka Dabba were highly praised by critics.
Nishikant Kamat
The director of films like Mumbai Meri Jaan, Force, Drishyam and Madaari has played pivotal roles in films like Rocky Handsome and Daddy. He was last seen in the film Julie 2. Nishikant first faced the camera in 2004 when he played a small role in the movie Hawa Aney De.
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Jason Ralph fuels speculation over Rachel Brosnahan marriage after controversial Instagram activity
Rachel Brosnahan marriage speculation grows after Jason Ralph’s controversial Instagram activity
Highlights
Rachel Brosnahan’s husband, actor Jason Ralph, is at the centre of a heated social media debate after he liked a provocative Instagram comment about her on-screen chemistry with Superman co-star David Corenswet. The online reaction has been swift, with fans speculating whether his action was a subtle dig, a careless mistake, or simply a misunderstood joke.
The comment in question accused Brosnahan of crossing boundaries with a co-star and suggested Ralph should “stand up for himself” and “leave her.” Within hours, screenshots of Ralph’s ‘like’ were circulating across Reddit, X, and Instagram gossip pages. Soon after, Ralph disabled comments on his posts, but by then, the digital trail was impossible to erase.
When did Rachel Brosnahan and Jason Ralph get married?
Brosnahan and Ralph first met while working on the indie film I’m Obsessed With You in 2013. After several years of dating, the pair quietly tied the knot—so quietly, in fact, that the public only learned about it years later.
In a 2019 interview, Brosnahan revealed that she had been wearing her wedding ring for some time before speculation began, adding:
“We’ve been married for years and been together for even longer. We had a good laugh when the news came out that we had just got married like, ‘Happy six-month anniversary, honey!’”
The couple’s decision to keep their marriage private was intentional. Brosnahan explained that she disliked the double standard in media coverage, where she was constantly asked about her relationship while Ralph was not.
Have they worked together professionally?
Yes. Ralph appeared alongside his wife in the hit series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, joining in seasons four and five as Mike Carr. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Ralph praised Brosnahan’s leadership on set, saying:
“She’s just the best, and I feel very lucky to see her command a set like that.”
Their collaboration was warmly received by fans, and until now, the couple has maintained an image of mutual respect and professional admiration.
What did Jason Ralph ‘like’ on Instagram?
The controversy began when Ralph liked a comment on one of his posts that read:
“It’s genuinely sad to see your career being tucked out to be remembered as a cuckold because your wife couldn’t handle herself with her co-actor. Like bro, let’s have some self-love and stand up for yourself, leave her to be with him if she wants that much.”
The remark, widely interpreted as targeting Brosnahan’s scenes with David Corenswet in Superman, was seen by many as insulting and sexist. Fans immediately questioned why Ralph would engage with it at all.
Was it intentional or a mistake?
Social media reactions are split. Some argue that it was likely an accidental double-tap, noting that Ralph’s Instagram activity is minimal and sporadic. Others believe it was deliberate, citing his history of dry humour and occasional trolling behaviour online.
Regardless of intent, the timing has amplified speculation. Brosnahan’s chemistry with Corenswet has been heavily discussed since the film’s release, and this incident has only fuelled more rumours about their personal lives.
What’s next for the couple?
Neither Brosnahan nor Ralph has publicly commented on the incident. Given their preference for privacy, it’s unlikely they will address the speculation directly. Still, with screenshots continuing to circulate, the story has already left its mark on fan discussions around the couple. Whether the Instagram ‘like’ was a slip of the finger or a calculated move, it has put an unusually public spotlight on one of Hollywood’s most private marriages. For now, the internet is left to debate: accident, sarcasm, or subtle message?