Anurag Kashyap: Apart from being an acclaimed director, Kashyap has done cameos and full-fledged roles in a number of movies. The films that Kashyap featured in, so far, are - Black Friday, No Smoking, Luck by Chance, Dev.D, Gulaal, I Am, Soundtrack, Shagird, Tera Kya Hoga Johnny, Trishna, Bhoothnath Returns, Happy New Year, Akira, Daas Dev, Imaikkaa Nodigal (Tamil) and Ghoomketu.
Nikhil Advani: Much before he directed Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta in Kal Ho Na Ho, director Nikhil Advani, who was assisting Karan Johar, made a small appearance in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. He was seen in the segment of the Neelam Show, featuring Neelam Kothari.
Prakash Jha: Prakash Jha is known for helming political and socio-political films such as Mrityudand (1997), Gangaajal (2003), Apaharan (2005), Raajneeti (2010) and Satyagraha (2013). He made his acting debut in his directorial 'Jai Gangaajal' where he played the role of dishonest police officer BN Singh.
Imtiaz Ali: He has helmed films such as Socha Na Tha, Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, and Tamasha. But did you know he has played the role of Yakub Memon in Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday?
Kunal Kohli: The Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, Hum Tum, Fanaa, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic director made his acting debut in 2018 with the film Phir Se... co-starring Jennifer Winget.
Tigmanshu Dhulia: He is one of the rare directors of the Hindi film industry who have impressed the audiences with their directing and acting chops. The Haasil, Charas, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Paan Singh Tomar director has acted in a number of films, most notably Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur series, Milan Talkies, Hero and Shah Rukh Khan's Zero.
Mahesh Manjrekar: He made his directorial debut with the Sanjay Dutt-starrer Vaastav: The Reality, which released in 1999. He went on to direct films such as Astitva (2000), Kurukshetra (2000), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai (2000), Ehsaas: The Feeling (2001), Tera Mera Saath Rahen (2001), Hathyar (2002), Pitaah (2002), Viruddh... Family Comes First (2005), et al. However, he gained equal fame with his roles in films such as Kaante, Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye, Plan, Run, Slumdog Millionaire, Wanted, Dabangg, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, Total Dhamaal, and the latest one being Dabangg 3.
Farhan Akhtar: The man who directed the urban hit Dil Chahta Hai has proved his credentials as an actor in films like Rock On!!, Luck By Chance, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Karthik Calling Karthik, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, et al.
Amole Gupte: Using his killer looks to great effect, Gupte, who was the creative director of Taare Zameen Par, came up with some superlative negative performances in Kaminey and Stanley Ka Dabba. His standout effort though was as the hilarious, conniving Mantri in Phas Gaya Re Obama.
Farah Khan: Choreographer-cum-director Farah Khan made her debut as an actor in the film Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi, which also stars Boman Irani and was liked by audiences and critics alike.
Nagesh Kukunoor: The filmmaker has acted in most of the movies he has directed. Kukunoor played the lead in Hyderabad Blues and Hyderabad Blues 2. He was also seen on-screen in Rockford, 3 Deewarein, Bollywood Calling and Dor.
Karan Johar: Karan Johar, who has directed iconic films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and Student of the Year, also turned actor for a few films. Some of the well-known films Karan Johar acted in are Kal Ho Naa Ho, where he played a customer in a cafe, Shaandaar, where he played himself, and a major role as the main antagonist in the 2015 film Bombay Velvet, where he played the role of Kaizad Khambatta.
Sudhir Mishra: The Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi director played the bad guy in Madhur Bhandarkar's Traffic Signal and did so with great conviction.
Nishikant Kamat: The late director has acted in eight films, including regional cinema. In fact, he made his debut as an actor in 2004 with the film Hava Aney Dey, followed by Marathi film Saatchya Aat Gharat. Kamat made his directorial debut in 2005 with critically-acclaimed Dombivli Fast. The films that he has faced the camera in are - 404 Error Not Found, Rocky Handsome, Fugay, Daddy, Julie 2 and the last one being Bhavesh Joshi.
Anurag Basu: The Murder director portrayed the character of a Bengali doctor in Onir's I Am.
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