2024 has been a landmark year for Bollywood with a bunch of debutant directors who brought fresh ideas and perspectives to the silver screen along with some unforgettable moments that cinephiles would cherish for long. These directors weren’t afraid to bring unconventional stories to the foreground and delivered an enriching experience that left the audiences spellbound.
From Tahira Kashyap to Boman Irani, these debut directors are expected to make some groundbreaking films in the future as well. So, here’s a list of debutant directors in Bollywood in 2024 who made a splash with their notable work.
Bollywood Debut Directors
1. Tahira Kashyap – Sharmajee Ki Beti
Tahira Kashyap is no stranger to the limelight. From being the star wife of actor-singer Ayushmann Khurrana, she is also a popular writer and columnist who wrote many articles for the Times of India. She has authored the bestselling books including The 12 Commandments of Being a Woman and has also directed three acclaimed short films like Pinni, Toffee, and Quaranteen Crush. In 2024, Tahira made her directorial debut with Prime Video’s original Sharmajee Ki Beti, a relatable film that chronicles the chaos of middle-class households told in a delightful and heartwarming way. Kashyap told the story with vulnerability, and we are sure she is the best new director to happen to Bollywood in 2024.
2. Boman Irani – The Mehta Boys
Known for winning hearts with his stellar performances, veteran actor Boman Irani embarked on a new journey of filmmaking in 2024. In the list of top Bollywood debut directors of 2024, Irani’s The Mehta Boys made waves with a story that explores a new arena of familial bonds and friendship. The Mehta Boys premiered at the recently concluded 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. It also won the Best Feature Film Award earlier this year at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, and Boman was awarded the Best Actor prize at the International Film Festival of South Asia in Toronto. The Mehta Boys will soon release on Prime Video.
3. Kunal Khemu – Madgaon Express
Kunal Khemu is a celebrated actor who has consistently delivered remarkable performances in his long career spanning over three decades. Known for his versatility, Kunal surprised his fans this year by making his directorial debut with Madgaon Express, backed by Excel Entertainment. The quirky road trip movie brings back the old Bollywood-style no-brainer comedy but with added drama. The movie left audiences chuckling in the theaters, proving himself to be the breakout debut director in Hindi cinema in 2024. Madgaon Express is streaming on Prime Video.
4. Shirsha Guha Thakurta – Do Aur Do Pyaar
Another emerging filmmaker in Bollywood in 2024 has to be Shirsha Guha Thakurta, an advertising professional who turned director with the romance-comedy Hindi movie Do Aur Do Pyaar. Starring Vidya Balan, Pratik Gandhi, Sendhil Ramamurthy, and Ileana D’Cruz in key roles, the movie explores the challenges that accompany modern-day relationships. The movie plot is an emotionally resonant love story, infused with layers of unresolved grievances and personal disputes. Shirsha’s subtle direction and the actors’ performances are the highlights of the movie.
5. Shuchi Talati – Girls Will Be Girls
Recently released on Prime Video, Girls Will Be Girls has been making waves on international platforms for its bold and unflinching portrayal of teenage rebellion and societal norms. Shuchi Talati has previously made short films like Mae & Ash and Execution and has also worked on documentaries such as Being Mary Tyler Moore and more. Placing herself in the list of breakout directors in Hindi cinema in 2024, Talati executed complex human emotions like sensuality, self-pleasure, mother-daughter jealousy, sex education, and more with candour, making it appear like fresh air. The intriguing screenplay and Talati’s keen eye for detail elicited some exemplary performances from the central characters in Girls Will Be Girls.
6. Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah – Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya
Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah made it to the list of top first-time directors in Hindi films for 2024 for the movie Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya starring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. The romance/comedy revolves around an engineer who falls in love with a robot, Sifra, and decides to marry her. Previously, both Amit and Aradhana have worked as scriptwriters and colleagues. Amit worked as a writer in movies like Trapped, Mumbaikar, Babli Bouncer, and more, while Aradhana Sah worked in Mumbaikar and Babli Bouncer.
7. Varun Grover – All India Rank
Another critically acclaimed debut filmmaker in Bollywood from 2024 has to be writer-lyricist Varun Grover, known for his work in Masaan, Games, and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, who made his directorial debut with the comedy-drama All India Rank, a poignant coming-of-age movie that would deeply be felt by everyone universally. The film tackled the pressures of academic excellence equally in a humorous and nostalgic manner. Grover’s sensitive direction along with sharp writing makes All India Rank a must-watch movie.
8. Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha – Yodha
This duo brought the adrenaline-pumping action thriller Yodha to the screen, giving the audience a gripping experience. Placing themselves in the list of 2024’s best new directors in Bollywood, Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha’s direction style made Yodha a visual spectacle. Previously, Pushkar Ojha has worked as an assistant director on movies like Pathaan, Kick, and War, while Sagar Ambre also worked as an assistant director and writer, known for Pathaan, Uri, and more.
9. Randeep Hooda – Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
The next spot for notable directorial debuts in Hindi cinema for the year 2024 is taken by Randeep Hooda. The popular actor known for his riveting acting prowess, Hooda not only starred in but directed Swatantrya Veer Savarkar and co-wrote the movie too. He plays the titular character of freedom fighter Savarkar in a nuanced and powerful portrayal. His direction style brought the life of the controversial leader to the screen in a purely authentic and raw manner.