Great Actors Who Turned Into Directors Like Mohanlal
Mohanlal, one of the biggest superstar of the Malayalam film industry, tried his hands on directing a film. His directorial work, Barroz, a 3D fantasy film, hit theatres today. So far, the film is getting mixed reactions from the audience. Several fans expressed their disappointment with Barroz, which has not lived up to their expectations, considering it was ‘Lalettan’s’ directorial debut.
While Mohanlal appears to miss his chance at showing the prowess of his experience in cinema for decades, let’s have a dig at famous actors who turned directors. Several great actors have shown that they are great at the director’s chair too, successfully blending their acting prowess in creative story telling.
Hollywood:
Clint Eastwood is up high in the list with his movies like, American Sniper, Sully, Invictus, Gran Torino, Changeling, Million Dollar Baby. Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge, Apocalypto, The Passion of the Christ, Braveheart also stole hearts of millions. Denzel Washington’s A Journal for Jordan, Fences, The Great Debaters, Antwone Fisher left audience in awe. George Clooney left legendary marks by directing and starring in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), Leatherheads (2008), The Ides of March (2011), and The Midnight Sky (2020).
Also Read: Barroz Review: Did Mohanlal Miss His Chance As A Great Storyteller?
Marlon Brando made his directorial debut in the western drama One-Eyed Jacks (1961), in which he also starred. The film did poorly at the box office.
Woody Allen is another legend, who started off career by directing and acting. His works include Midnight in Paris, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Scoop – also actor -, Match Point, Deconstructing Harry – also actor -, Alice, Annie Hall – also actor.
Bollywood:
Aamir Khan has created a masterpiece Taare Zameen Par in which also acted. The film Qurbani was a gift from actor Feroz Khan. Stalwart Raj Kapoor directed films like Aag, Barsaat, Awaara, Shree 420, Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Satyam Sivam Sundaram. Guru Dutt contributed greately to the Indian cinema with films like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. Naseeruddin Shah, the ace actor of Bollywood, also directed the 2006 film, Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota. Nandita Das has directed Firaaq, Manto, and Pooja Bhatt had directed Paap, Holiday, Dhokha, Kajraare, Jism 2.
Also Read: Barroz Review: How Does Mohanlal Fare As A Director?
Malayalam:
Iconic star Madhu made his directoral debut in 1970 through the movie Priya, based on the novel ‘Thevadissi’ written by C. Radhakrishnan. Madhu directed eleven more movies including hit films like Sindooracheppu, Manyasree Viswamithran, Neela Kannukal, Akkaldaama, Kamam Krodham Moham, Theekkanal, Dheerasameere Yamuna Theere, Aaraadhana, Oru Yuga Sandhya and Udayam Padinjaru.
Prathap Pothen’s debut as a director was in Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai, for which he received a national award. Prathap worked with Kamal Haasan in Vettri Vizhaa. He also created three more films in Malayalam, Rithubhedam, Daisy, Oru Yathramozhi. Tamil film’s under his directorial include Jeeva, Vettri Vizhaa, Seevalaperi Pandi and Lucky Man.
Sreenivasan, one of the finest actor of the industry, scripted and directed Vadakkunokkiyanthram (1989) and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998).
