From being in front of the camera to calling the shots behind the camera, these stars proved talent has no limits! While Bollywood has forever been the realm of multi-hyphenate artists, in the last few years, more and more actors have stepped beyond performance to carve creative space behind the scenes. Whether shaping the narrative as producers or crafting a cinematic vision as directors, these stars redefined what it means to be a true storyteller.
Amongst the most recognisable names in this sphere is Aamir Khan, who systematically established himself not only as a great actor but also a powerful producer. His production house has backed films with social relevance, such as Lagaan, Taare Zameen Par, and Dangal, which proved meaningful cinema can also be massively successful. Aamir turned director with Taare Zameen Par, earning critical acclaim for his sensitive approach.
While Bollywood’s biggest stars are expanding their creative horizons by stepping into production. Salman Khan has backed several successful films under Salman Khan Films, supporting fresh talent and high-impact stories. Akshay Kumar, through Cape of Good Films, produces content-driven entertainers and socially relevant cinema. Alia Bhatt launched Eternal Sunshine Productions, starting with the acclaimed Darlings that showcased her commitment to strong, unconventional narratives. Kriti Sanon very recently turned producer with her banner Blue Butterfly Films, with the aim of championing new-age stories and diverse voices. Together, these stars are shaping Bollywood not just in front of the camera but also from behind it.
Farhan Akhtar, charming effortlessly on screen, had first created ripples from behind the camera as director of the film Dil Chahta Hai, which revolutionized the way friendship was depicted in Bollywood. From filmmaking to acting and back, his transition only revealed the myriad facets of his genius. Similarly, his sister Zoya Akhtar, an actor at heart in her early years, has gone on to become one of the most respected directors of this generation, churning out box office successes such as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Gully Boy.
After having taken Bollywood and Hollywood by storm, Priyanka Chopra Jonas further spread her wings of influence as a producer with Purple Pebble Pictures. Her production firm champions regional films, providing a platform for stories in the Marathi, Punjabi, Sikkimese, and Bhojpuri languages. Her leap into production reflects her commitment to diverse storytelling and nurturing new talent.
Another star who has made a mark as a producer is Anushka Sharma. Through her banner Clean Slate Filmz, she has backed some very unconventional and bold projects, including NH10, Pari, and the acclaimed web series Paatal Lok. Her choices are reflective of an appetite for risk-taking, a desire to push the envelope beyond expectations of the mainstream.
Meanwhile, Ajay Devgn has shifted with ease between acting, production, and direction. Some of his films like You, Me Aur Hum and Shivaay underpin his knack for telling emotionally intense and visually driven stories.
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Another strong example is Konkona Sen Sharma, who stepped into direction with the beautifully nuanced A Death in the Gunj, proving that she’s as brilliant behind the camera as she is in front of it. These stars represent the fact that Bollywood is fast becoming a platform where artists are no longer satisfied playing one role. With creativity as their guiding star, they continue to reshape Indian cinema in bold and innovative ways-one story at a time.
