Indian film directors
by user-272-769207 | created - 15 Dec 2018 | updated - 15 Dec 2018 | Public
1. Anurag Kashyap
Producer | Gangs of Wasseypur
Anurag Singh Kashyap (born 10 September 1972) is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter. Kashyap made his directorial debut with as yet unreleased Paanch, with Kay Kay Menon as the lead. As a filmmaker, he is known for Black Friday (2004), a controversial and award-winning Hindi film ...
2. Vishal Bhardwaj
Composer | Haider
Vishal Bhardwaj is an Indian film director, writer, composer, singer and producer. He has directed ten feature films, produced five and composed music for more than forty. His directorial work includes Makdee, The Blue Umbrella, Kaminey, 7 Khoon Maaf, Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola, Rangoon, Pataakha as...
3. Hansal Mehta
Writer | Shahid
Hansal Mehta is a film director best known for Shahid (2013), Citylights (2014), Aligarh (2016), Omertà (2018) and Scam 1992 (2020). He is known for films that depict social and political realities in deeply polarised and troubled times. His films are remarkable for their understanding of ...
4. Nagraj Manjule
Writer | Sairat
Nagraj Popatrao Manjule (born 24 August 1978) is an Indian film director, actor, producer, scriptwriter, poet, screenwriter, filmmaker and he works in the Marathi Cinema. Manjule grew up in Jeur village in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. He belongs to the traditionally-nomadic Waddar community...
5. Umesh Kulkarni
Actor | Kya Yahi Sach Hai
Umesh Kulkarni is known for Kya Yahi Sach Hai (2011), Aiyyaa (2012) and Aida (2011).
6. Rituparno Ghosh
Writer | Dahan
Rituparno Ghosh is a Bengali film director. He has won 12 National Film Awards in India and several awards at international film festivals abroad. He began directing in advertising. In 1992, he made a low-key film debut with a children's feature titled Hirer Angti (The Diamond Ring). His second ...
7. Kaushik Ganguly
Writer | Jyeshthoputro
Kaushik Ganguly was born on August 4, 1968 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is an actor and writer, known for The Elder Son (2019), The Eunuch and the Flute Player (2017) and Cinemawala (2016). He is married to Churni Ganguly. They have one child.
8. Vetrimaaran
Writer | Asuran
Vetrimaaran is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film producer, who works in the Tamil film industry. Vetrimaaran made his directorial debut with the Polladhavan. His second feature film Aadukalam won six National Film Awards. He produces films under his production company, Grass Root Film ...
9. Karthik Subbaraj
Writer | Pizza
Karthik Subbaraj is an Indian film director. He started his career working as a software engineer in Bangalore working for Infosys. During this period he got interested in film making. He learnt the basics of film making, during a one-day workshop run by Sanjay Nambiar. He made a short film "...
10. Rajeev Ravi
Cinematographer | Dev.D
Rajeev Ravi is an Indian cinematographer. A 1997 graduate from FTII, Pune, he has worked with director Anurag Kashyap several times. He has operated the camera for many Hindi films as well as Malayalam films. He first assisted in the Malayalam film, Pranayavarnangal. His first independent work is ...
11. Mani Ratnam
Writer | Dil Se..
The man who revolutionized Tamil-language cinema, Mani Ratnam is the biggest director in south India and one of the most respected directors in all of India. Each of his films contain its own unique style, with beautifully photographed songs and unique back-lighting. However, his films contain ...
12. Shekhar Kapur
Director | Elizabeth
Shekhar Kapur was born on December 6, 1945 in Lahore, Punjab, British India [now Pakistan]. He is a director and actor, known for Elizabeth (1998), Bandit Queen (1994) and The Four Feathers (2002). He was previously married to Suchitra Krishnamoorthi.
13. Shoojit Sircar
Director | Piku
Cinema entered the ordinary life of a young, sports and soccer enthusiast Shoojit Sircar, studying in Delhi, India, quite by chance when during the XIIth grade a friend suggested accompanying him for the viewing of a film. Unbeknownst to Sircar, this film would mark for him the beginning of a whole...
14. Dibakar Banerjee
Director | Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!
Dibakar Banerjee was born on June 21, 1969 in New Delhi, India. He is a director and writer, known for Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015), Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (2021) and Shanghai (2012).
15. Zoya Akhtar
Writer | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Five feature films, three short films, one web series, six Filmfare awards, an Emmy nomination and India's official entry to the Oscars outlines Zoya Akhtar's unique ability to tell stories that break the conventional norms and create waves globally.
Zoya's directorial journey began with Luck By ...
16. Vikramaditya Motwane
Director | Udaan
Vikramaditya Motwane is a writer, director and producer (unfortunately not always in that order) and a partner in Phantom Films with Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl and Madhu Mantena. His directorial debut Udaan (2010) was selected to compete in the 'Un Certain Regard' category at the 2010 Cannes Film ...
17. Ayan Mukerji
Director | Brahmastra Part One: Shiva
Ayan Mukerji was born on August 15, 1983 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He is a director and writer, known for Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) and Wake Up Sid (2009).
18. Vikas Bahl
Writer | Queen
Vikas Bahl is an Indian film producer, screenwriter, and director, know for his works predominantly in Hindi Cinema. He produces films under Phantom Films, and was the former head of UTV Spot Boy. One of the most respected Media Executives India has seen, headed the Marketing for Radio Mirchi and ...
19. Tigmanshu Dhulia
Actor | Gangs of Wasseypur
Tigmanshu Dhulia was born on July 3, 1967 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. He is a director and actor, known for Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), Paan Singh Tomar (2012) and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (2011).
20. Shakun Batra
Director | Kapoor & Sons
He is a national scholar in Accounts and went to St.Xavier's High School in New Delhi and did his graduation from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. Post graduation he was due to do his MBA and join his father's business. However, he had other plans. In an industry known for nepotism, he took...
21. Reema Kagti
Writer | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Reema Kagti is considered to be one of the best working talents in Indian cinema, with a singular voice as an artist, screenwriter, and filmmaker.
Reema's directorial debut, Honeymoon Travels Private Limited (2006), was an immediate commercial success. Following that, she wrote and directed the ...
22. Imtiaz Ali
Writer | Jab We Met
Imtiaz Ali is an Indian film director, actor and writer. In 2005, he made his directorial debut with the film Socha Na Tha. However, it was his second film Jab We Met (2007) that brought him success and fame. His 2009 film Love Aaj Kal gained much critical success, and was declared a super hit at ...
23. Neeraj Pandey
Writer | A Wednesday
Neeraj Pandey (born 17 December 1973) is an acclaimed Indian film director, producer and screenwriter. In his first movie A Wednesday, his work was largely praised by audiences as well as the critics. A Wednesday also won many awards in different categories. His second film Special 26 (2013) was ...
24. Bejoy Nambiar
Director | Taish
Bejoy Nambiar was born on April 12, 1979 in Kochi, Kerala, India. He is a director and producer, known for Taish (2020), Solo (2017) and Shaitan (2011). He was previously married to Juhi Babbar.
25. Shonali Bose
Director | Margarita with a Straw
Born in Kolkata, Shonali is a writer, director and producer - she has an MA in Political Science from Columbia University and an MFA in Directing from UCLA Film School. She has written and directed three feature narrative films - Amu, Margarita with a Straw and The Sky is Pink. Amu, which was based...
26. Neeraj Ghaywan
Director | Masaan
Neeraj is among India's leading contemporary filmmakers and is a National Award-winning director of the critically acclaimed Indo-French drama Masaan. The film received widespread acclaim from critics, mainstream media, and audiences alike, currently ranks among the top 250 films of all time from ...
27. Rajat Kapoor
Actor | Ankhon Dekhi
Rajat Kapoor, born in Delhi, India, is a multifaceted artist known for his contributions as an actor, director, and writer in Indian cinema. He has established himself as a versatile performer, equally adept at portraying intense and comedic roles.
Rajat Kapoor began his career in the world of ...
28. Sharat Katariya
Writer | Dum Laga Ke Haisha
Sharat Katariya was born on June 15, 1978 in New Delhi, India. He is a writer and director, known for Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), Fan (2016) and Sui Dhaaga: Made in India (2018). He has been married to Anusha Bose since December 1, 2006.
29. Rajkumar Hirani
Writer | PK
Rajkumar Hirani is an Indian film director and editor. Hirani has directed five Hindi films, including Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munnabhai, 3 Idiots, PK and Sanju, and all of which have been commercial and critical successes. Most of which have won several awards, including the national awards...
30. Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Producer | Bajirao Mastani
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is among the most celebrated Film Makers of the Bollywood. Having worked with the biggest stars of Indian Film Industry, Bhansali is the most sought-for director of the Bollywood. He started his career as an assistant director to Vidhu Vinod Chopra. If one has to name his '...
31. Aanand L. Rai
Producer | Tanu Weds Manu Returns
Aanand L. Rai is a Hindi film director and producer known for romantic-comedy movies Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Raanjhanaa (2013), Tanu Weds Manu: Returns (2015) and Zero (2018). Rai started assisting his elder brother television director Ravi Rai in television series. Eventually he made his ...
32. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Producer | Rang De Basanti
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is a director, writer and producer who established Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Pictures (Romp) in India. Romp has cultivated in them an attitude to pioneer the way for the new wave and new age cinema from India, by identifying talent (writers & directors) from India and telling ...
33. Karan Johar
Writer | Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
A close friend of Shahrukh Khan, he assisted Yash Chopra's Yash Raj Films during the early days of of his career, making his directorial debut with the mega-hit Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). He also had a popular chat show named Koffee with Karan (2004) The success of "KKHH" made him one of the most ...
34. Ashutosh Gowariker
Writer | Swades: We, the People
His passion for cinema immediately draws your attention, making you realize that Ashutosh Gowariker would not have been anywhere except behind the camera, however tempting the choice. An actor who took to film direction after almost a decade in front of the camera, Ashutosh has acted in Hindi films...
35. Kabir Khan
Producer | Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Kabir Khan is presently one of the most sought after Bollywood directors. His beat of cinema is very different from the rest of his league. He comes from documentary style of film making. He is known for his brilliant cinematographic skills. He graduated from Delhi University's Kirori Mal College. ...
36. Anurag Basu
Director | Ludo
Anurag Basu, a Bollywood director and writer explores relationships and adversity on reel. He had his share of tough times when he was diagnosed with leukemia.
Basu directed television serials among which is Tara (1993), which became one of the first soap operas on Indian television. He also ...
37. Aditya Chopra
Writer | Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Aditya Chopra is a successful writer, producer, director, master storyteller, a visionary and also the driving force behind creativity at Yash Raj Films. He became an avid film buff from his early childhood. At the age of 18, his own film career kicked off. He started working as an assistant to his...
38. Farhan Akhtar
Producer | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
An accomplished and award-winning producer-director-writer-actor-singer, Farhan Akhtar is the ultimate Bollywood multi-hyphenate. Born in 1974 to prolific Indian film writer and poet, Javed Akhtar and writer-director, Honey Irani , Farhan was raised in an environment where creativity and ...
39. Nishikant Kamat
Actor | Dombivli Fast
Nishikant Kamat was born on June 17, 1970 in Dadar, Maharashtra, India. He was an actor and director, known for Dombivli Fast (2005), Drishyam (2015) and Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008). He died on August 17, 2020 in Hyderabad, India.
40. Rajkumar Santoshi
Writer | Andaz Apna Apna
Rajkumar Santoshi is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter of Hindi films. Counted as one of the most successful filmmakers in the Hindi film industry, he has received several accolades,including three National Film Awards and six Filmfare Awards.
Santoshi made his directorial debut ...
41. Rakesh Roshan
Actor | Koi... Mil Gaya
Rakesh Roshan was born on September 6, 1949 in Bombay, State of Bombay, India. He is an actor and producer, known for Koi... Mil Gaya (2003), Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) and Krrish (2006). He is married to Pinky.
42. Sriram Raghavan
Writer | Andhadhun
Sriram Raghavan is an Indian filmmaker who works in the Hindi film industry. He is regarded as a writer of neo-noir thrillers that fall under the action genre. He was brought up in Pune, where he attended St. Vincent's High School. He went to Fergusson College in Pune to study economics.
After ...
43. Abhishek Chaubey
Writer | Udta Punjab
Abhishek, a renowned Indian filmmaker who co-wrote and directed the critically acclaimed dacoit action film, Sonchiriya, an RSVP production. He began his career as an associate director and co-writer to Vishal Bhardwaj for his debut Makdee (2002) & went on to assist him in his subsequent films, and...
44. Shakun Batra
Director | Kapoor & Sons
He is a national scholar in Accounts and went to St.Xavier's High School in New Delhi and did his graduation from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. Post graduation he was due to do his MBA and join his father's business. However, he had other plans. In an industry known for nepotism, he took...
45. Gauri Shinde
Director | English Vinglish
Gauri Shinde was born on July 6, 1974 in Pune, Maharashtra, India. She is a director and writer, known for English Vinglish (2012), Dear Zindagi (2016) and Chup (2022).
46. R. Balki
Writer | Paa
R. Balakrishnan, also known as Balki, is a prominent Indian filmmaker and screenwriter known for his unconventional storytelling style.
After completing his education, Balki began his career in advertising and made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film Cheeni Kum (2007) in 2007. ...
47. Homi Adajania
Writer | Being Cyrus
Homi Adajania was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He is known for Being Cyrus (2005), Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo (2023) and Cocktail (2012). He is married to Anaita Shroff.
48. Abhishek Kapoor
Director | Kai po che!
Writer-Director of the successful Bollywood feature films Kai Po Che, Rock On!! and Kedarnath. He is the founder of production company Guy in the Sky Pictures (India). His latest movie Kedarnath released on 7th December 2018. Abhishek lives and works in Mumbai, India where he is preparing for his ...
49. Milan Luthria
Director | The Dirty Picture
Milan Luthria was born on January 28, 1968 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He is a director and assistant director, known for The Dirty Picture (2011), Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010) and Tadap (2021).
50. Prakash Jha
Director | Gangaajal
Prakash Jha is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter who is primarily known for his socially and politically relevant films like Apaharan (2005), Aarakshan (2011), and Raajneeti (2010), among others.
Jha went to Sainik School Tilaya in his hometown of Bettiah in Bihar, India. After ...
51. Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla
Director | Baazigar
Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla is an Indian filmmaker. He co-directs films with his brother Mastan Alibhai Burmawalla. Together they are known as the Abbas-Mustan duo, recognised for directing action, suspense, and thriller films.
Burmawalla started his career with Gujarati films. He and his brother ...
52. Mastan Alibhai Burmawalla
Director | Baazigar
Mastan Alibhai Burmawalla is known for Baazigar (1993), Race 2 (2013) and Soldier (1998).
53. Madhur Bhandarkar
Director | Chandni Bar
Madhur Bhandarkar was born on August 26, 1966 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. He is a director and writer, known for Chandni Bar (2001), Babli Bouncer (2022) and Page 3 (2005). He has been married to Renu Namboodiri since December 15, 2003. They have one child.
54. Maneesh Sharma
Director | Band Baaja Baaraat
Maneesh Sharma was born in Delhi, India. He is known for Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), Fan (2016) and Tiger 3 (2023).
55. Ali Abbas Zafar
Director | Sultan
Ali Abbas Zafar was born 17 January, 1982 in Dehradun, India. He is an Indian screenwriter-director, known for his acclaimed, blockbuster films Sultan (2016) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017).
After majoring in Chemistry at Delhi University, he assisted various directors in Mumbai before making his ...
56. Shimit Amin
Director | Chak De! India
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Shimit Amin moved to the USA at a very young age and soon pursued filmmaking. He made his first film, "Ab Tak Chappan" (56 and Counting) about a group of Mumbai cops who became notorious with their license to kill.
His second film, "Chak De India" (Let's go India!), produced...
57. Reema Kagti
Writer | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Reema Kagti is considered to be one of the best working talents in Indian cinema, with a singular voice as an artist, screenwriter, and filmmaker.
Reema's directorial debut, Honeymoon Travels Private Limited (2006), was an immediate commercial success. Following that, she wrote and directed the ...
58. Subhash Kapoor
Writer | Jolly LLB 2
Subhash Kapoor was born in New Delhi, India. He is known for Jolly LLB 2 (2017), Jolly LLB (2013) and Maharani (2021).
59. Priyadarshan
Director | Oppam
Priyadarshan is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has worked in the Hindi and Malayalam film industry for almost 40 years and has directed over 90 films.
He completed his early education at Government Model School in Thiruvananthapuram. He later pursued his bachelor's degree from Mahatma ...
60. Vipul Amrutlal Shah
Producer | Holiday
Vipul Amrutlal Shah was born on April 3, 1973 in Kutch, Gujarat, India. He is a producer and director, known for Holiday (2014), The Kerala Story (2023) and Aankhen (2002). He is married to Shefali Shah. They have two children.
61. Sooraj R. Barjatya
Producer | Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
Sooraj Barjatya is a film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is the chairman of Rajshri Productions. All of his films are released under Rajshri Productions, which was founded by his grandfather Tarachand Barjatya in 1947.
Barjatya attended St. Mary's School in Mumbai and The Scindia School in...
62. David Dhawan
Director | Aankhen
David Dhawan was born on August 16, 1955 in Agartala, Tripura, India. He is a director and editor, known for Aankhen (1993), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999). He is married to Karuna Chopra Dhawan. They have two children.
63. Anees Bazmee
Director | Ready
Anees Bazmee was born on November 1, 1962 in a remote town of Modasa in Gujarat, India. Born to an Urdu poet Abdul Hameed 'Nerang' Bazmee and housewife Khatoon Begum, he realized his cinematic inclination at a very early age. He started working as a Child artist at the tender age of 12 and ...
64. Indra Kumar
Director | Raja
Indra Kumar, born Indra Irani, is an Indian film actor, director, and producer.
Born in a simple family, his siblings made a big name for themselves in the Hindi film industry. He owes his upbringing and success to his eldest sister Aruna Irani, who looked after all her siblings after their mother ...
65. Rohit Shetty
Writer | Sooryavanshi
Indian filmmaker Rohit Shetty is well-known for his high-octane films with breath-takin action scenes and exciting storylines. Rohit is the son of Ratna, a young Hindi cinema artist, and late Hindi film stunt coordinator M.B. Shetty. He was raised alongside his four siblings, Kiran Shetty, Chaya ...
66. Mohit Suri
Director | Aashiqui 2
Mohit Suri (born 11th of April 1981, India) is a film director, as well as an assistant director and member of the Bhatt family. His uncle is director Mahesh Bhatt and his cousin is actor Emraan Hashmi who has starred in three of his films. His sister Smilie Suri has also appeared in his film ...
67. Nikkhil Advani
Director | Kal Ho Naa Ho
Nikkhil Advani was born on April 28, 1971 in Mumbai, Maharahstra, India. He is a writer and producer, known for Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), P.O.W. Bandi Yuddh Ke (2016) and D-Day (2013).
68. Ketan Mehta
Director | Mirch Masala
Ketan Mehta is one of the most internationally acknowledged filmmakers from India. He has a received many National and International awards for his well-known films like 'The Rising - Ballad of Mangal Pandey', 'Mirch Masala', 'Maya Memsaab', 'Sardar', 'Holi' and 'Bhavni Bhavai'. Received Best Film ...
69. Ram Gopal Varma
Director | Rangeela
Ram Gopal Varma was born in Hyderabad, the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He initially was a video store owner before eventually becoming one of India's leading film directors. A film buff during his youth, Varma would watch both American and Indian cinema regularly. As a young...
70. Govind Nihalani
Cinematographer | Droh Kaal
Govind Nihalani was born on August 19, 1940 in Karachi, Sindh, British India. He is a cinematographer and director, known for Droh Kaal (1994), Aakrosh (1980) and Dev (2004).
71. Subhash Ghai
Writer | Pardes
Ram Lakhan (1989), Khalnayak (1993), Hero (1983), Karz (1980), these are some grand films made by a grandiose director. Since 1976, Subhash has been directing films. But recently where has the fanfare and the fire has gone from Mukta arts main director? Subhash started in 1976 with the film ...
72. Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Writer | 12th Fail
Producer-director Vidhu Vinod Chopra was born on 5th September, 1952 in Srinagar, Kashmir, India. After attending the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, he made his directorial debut with the short film Murder At Monkey Hill in 1976. This won him the National Award, an honor given by ...
73. Sudhir Mishra
Director | Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi
Sudhir Mishra was born on January 22, 1959 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. He is a director and writer, known for Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003), Calcutta Mail (2003) and Dharavi (1992).
74. Deepa Mehta
Director | Fire
Deepa Mehta is a transnational artist and a screenwriter, director, and producer whose work has been called "courageous", "provocative" and "breathtaking". Her visually lush and emotionally resonating films have played at every major international film festival; receiving numerous awards and ...
75. Mira Nair
Director | Salaam Bombay!
Accomplished Film Director/Writer/Producer Mira Nair was born in India and educated at Delhi University and at Harvard. She began her film career as an actor and then turned to directing award-winning documentaries, including So Far From India and India Cabaret. Her debut feature film, Salaam ...
76. Kamal Haasan
Actor | Vishwaroopam
Kamal Haasan was born November 7, 1954 in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. He debuted as a child artiste in the film "Kalathoor Kannamma" (1960). Since then, he has starred in nearly 220 films in the major Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. He has been a...
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