BEST BOLLYWOOD/HINDI CINEMA DIRECTORS AT THE MOMENT
by authorised-reviewer | created - 11 Apr 2015 | updated - 25 May 2016 | PublicCurrently active film Directors
1. 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...
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. 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 ...
4. 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 ...
5. 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 ...
6. 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).
7. 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 ...
8. 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 ...
9. 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...
10. 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...
11. 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 ...
12. 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...
13. 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. ...
14. 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).
15. 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 ...
16. 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...
17. 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.
18. 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 ...
19. 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).
20. 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 ...
21. 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 ...
22. 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 ...
23. 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 ...
24. 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 ...
25. Omung Kumar
Director | Mary Kom
Omung Kumar is known for Mary Kom (2014), Black (2005) and Bhoomi (2017).
26. 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 ...
27. 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).
28. 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...
29. 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 ...
30. Sanjay Gupta
Writer | Kaante
Sanjay Gupta was born on October 23, 1969 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He is a writer and director, known for Kaante (2002), Kaabil (2017) and Mumbai Saga (2021).
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