5 Actors Who Proved They Could Also Call the Shots

Acting and directing demand two very different kinds of creative instincts. While one requires an actor to disappear into a character, the other calls for a larger vision — from shaping performances to building the world of a film. These actors have successfully stepped behind the camera while continuing to command the screen.

1. Rishab Shetty – Kantara
Rishab Shetty exemplifies the actor-director who remains deeply connected to the world he creates. With Kantara, he not only played the lead but also directed the film, bringing together folklore, tradition, mythology and regional identity. His distinctive vision helped turn the film into a cultural phenomenon and established him as a formidable creative voice in Indian cinema.

2. Farhan Akhtar – Dil Chahta Hai
Farhan Akhtar made an influential directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai, while also starring as one of its three leads. His fresh take on friendship, relationships and urban youth captured the sensibilities of a generation and went on to become a defining coming-of-age film.

3. Aamir Khan – Taare Zameen Par
Aamir Khan stepped behind the camera for Taare Zameen Par, while also playing a pivotal role in the film. The deeply empathetic story about a young boy struggling within a conventional education system resonated widely and remains one of the most memorable films in his career.

4. Ajay Devgn – Shivaay
Ajay Devgn took on the dual responsibility of leading and directing Shivaay. The action drama allowed him to explore a visually ambitious scale while simultaneously anchoring the film as its central character, showcasing another dimension of his creative abilities.

5. Kamal Haasan – Hey Ram
Kamal Haasan went beyond acting with Hey Ram, taking on the roles of writer, director and lead actor. The ambitious historical drama reflected his willingness to experiment with form and subject while placing him firmly at the centre of the film’s creative process.