In the world of cinema — much like in any other art form — people have to work their way up before they taste success. We point out some actors who forayed into Hindi cinema as assistant directors before finding their true calling...
In the world of cinema — much like in any other art form — people have to work their way up before they taste success. Particularly in Bollywood, it has been observed that star kids more often than not start out by assisting filmmakers. That’s where they are introduced to films even if their ultimate goal is acting and not direction. These are stars who, instead of enrolling in acting schools, preferred to assist directors and learn the technicalities behind making a film. We point out some actors who forayed into Hindi cinema as assistant directors before finding their true calling...
Sharib Hashmi (behind the camera) plays a wannabe actor who works as an assistant director in Nitin Kakkar’s Filmistaan
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Ranveer Singh
Film debut: Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)
Lowdown: Not hailing from a filmi background, Ranveer assisted Shaad Ali in films like Bunty Aur Babli as well as some ad films. Following this, he worked with reclusive filmmaker Aditya Chopra before getting his first big break opposite Anushka Sharma.
Kunal Kapoor
Film debut: Meenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities (2004)
Lowdown: This lanky actor, who is currently engaged to Amitabh Bachchan’s niece, began his film journey an assistant director on the sets of the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Aks (2001). He assisted director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for the film before making his debut.
Emraan Hashmi
Film debut: Footpath (2003)
Lowdown: This no-nonsense actor spent quite a lot of time learning tricks of the trade with Vishesh Films before deciding to become an actor. Before becoming Bollywood’s serial kisser, he had assisted Vikram Bhatt on his film, Raaz (2002).
Sonam Kapoor
Film debut: Saawariya (2007)
Lowdown: The story about this fashionista not only shedding kilos but also her inhibitions is quite inspiring. She was assisting Bhansali for Black (2005) when the maverick filmmaker suggested that she should try to see herself in front of the camera instead of behind it.
Varun Dhawan
Film debut: Student of the Year (2012)
Lowdown: A director’s son doesn’t always opt for direction, especially when there’s a possibility of becoming a full-fledged actor. Something similar happened with Varun. He assisted KJo too in My Name is Khan before getting launched by KJo.
Arjun Kapoor
Film debut: Ishaqzaade (2012)
Lowdown: He credits Salman Khan for coaxing him into getting in shape and for making him consider acting. But before his acting stint came about,, he assisted filmmakers on several films such as Shakthi: The Power (2002), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) and Salaam-e-Ishq (2007).
Sidharth Malhotra
Film debut: Student of the Year (2012)
Lowdown: After quitting modelling for good, he applied for the assistant director’s position in My Name is Khan (2010). Luckily, Karan Johar was impressed by his drive and Sidharth went on to assist him in My Name is Khan. Later on, KJo launched him along with Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt in directorial venture.
Hrithik Roshan
Film debut: Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000)
Lowdown: Although he made his first credited big screen appearance in Bhagwaan Dada (1986) as a 12-year-old, he went on to assist his father, director Rakesh Roshan, on several films, including the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer King Uncle (1993) and the Anil Kapoor-starrer Karobaar (2000).
Ranbir Kapoor
Film debut: Saawariya (2007)
Lowdown: With rumours about his ambition to revive the RK Films banner floating around, it’s worth noting that he assisted in films like PremGranth (1996), his father Rishi Kapoor’s directorial debut, Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) and the Sanjay Leela Bhansali production, Black (2005).
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