The seven most iconic Bollywood directors on our list are Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rohit Shetty, Rajkumar Hirani, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap. Each has a style audiences can recognise within minutes, from Bhansali’s grand sets to Kashyap’s gritty small-town crime stories, and each has shaped what Hindi cinema looks like today.
For decades, Hindi films were sold mainly on their stars. That has changed. Viewers now follow directors too, and a new film from one of these names is an event in itself. Here is a look at their work, updated with their latest projects as of October 2026.
Quick facts
| Director | Debut film | Known for | Recent work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) | Grand period dramas | Heeramandi (2024), Love & War |
| Rohit Shetty | Zameen (2003) | Action comedies, cop universe | Singham Again (2024) |
| Rajkumar Hirani | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) | Comedies with a message | Dunki (2023) |
| Karan Johar | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) | Family romances | Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) |
| Zoya Akhtar | Luck By Chance (2009) | Urban relationship stories | The Archies (2023) |
| Imtiaz Ali | Socha Na Tha (2005) | Modern love stories | Amar Singh Chamkila (2024) |
| Anurag Kashyap | Paanch (unreleased) | Gritty crime dramas | Nishaanchi (2025) |
1. Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Bhansali’s films are known for huge sets, rich colours, strong music and intense love stories. He began as an assistant to Vidhu Vinod Chopra and debuted with Khamoshi: The Musical (1996). His films include Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Black, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat and Gangubai Kathiawadi.
Also readHappy Birthday Shah Rukh Khan: A Heartfelt Letter as SRK Turns 61
He made his streaming debut with the Netflix series Heeramandi (2024), which has been renewed for a second season. His next film, Love & War, stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. He has won seven National Film Awards and received the Padma Shri in 2015.
2. Rohit Shetty
Shetty is Hindi cinema’s best-known maker of big, family-friendly action comedies. He started as an assistant director and stunt double, debuted with Zameen (2003) and found fame with Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), which grew into a long-running series.
His hits include Singham, Bol Bachchan, Chennai Express, Simmba and Sooryavanshi. His cop universe, built around Singham, reached its fifth film with Singham Again (2024), starring Ajay Devgn. Golmaal 5 has been announced. He is also known to TV audiences as the host of Khatron Ke Khiladi.
3. Rajkumar Hirani
Hirani has one of the best success rates in Hindi cinema. A trained film editor who later made ad films, he debuted with Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and followed it with Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, PK and Sanju.
His films use humour and emotion to talk about education, faith and social prejudice. His most recent film, Dunki (2023), starring Shah Rukh Khan, earned about Rs 470 crore worldwide. Reports say he is making his streaming debut with a crime-comedy series and is also developing new feature films. He has won four National Film Awards.
4. Karan Johar
Johar, son of producer Yash Johar, defined the glossy family romance of the late 1990s and 2000s. His debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), was a blockbuster, followed by Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, My Name Is Khan, Student of the Year and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
After a seven-year break from directing features, he returned with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023). He heads Dharma Productions, which produces many films each year, and he received the Padma Shri in 2020. He has also hosted the reality show The Traitors.
5. Zoya Akhtar
Zoya Akhtar is one of the leading women directors in Hindi cinema. She studied filmmaking at New York University and worked as an assistant director before her debut, Luck By Chance (2009). Her films include Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do and Gully Boy.
She co-founded Tiger Baby Films with Reema Kagti in 2015 and co-created the series Made in Heaven. Her most recent film is The Archies (2023) on Netflix. She has won four Filmfare Awards, three for direction and one for the screenplay of Gully Boy, shared with Kagti.
6. Imtiaz Ali
Imtiaz Ali is known for love stories about restless characters searching for themselves. He started in television, directing Imtihaan for Doordarshan and Kurukshetra for Zee TV, and made his film debut with Socha Na Tha (2005).
His films include Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, Highway and Tamasha. Amar Singh Chamkila (2024), a biopic of the Punjabi folk singer starring Diljit Dosanjh, was released on Netflix to strong reviews. His filmography lists Main Vaapas Aaunga as his 2026 film.
7. Anurag Kashyap
Kashyap is known for raw crime dramas, often set in small-town India. His first film, Paanch, was never released because of censorship problems. He went on to make Black Friday, Dev.D, Gulaal, Gangs of Wasseypur, Raman Raghav 2.0, Mukkabaaz and Manmarziyaan.
His recent work includes Kennedy, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, and Nishaanchi (2025). He has won four Filmfare Awards and was made a Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France in 2013. He has also gained praise as an actor, notably as the villain in the Tamil film Maharaja (2024).
What sets these directors apart
- A clear signature: Each director’s films are recognisable by tone, look or music.
- Range: The list spans period epics, masala action, social comedy, romance and crime.
- Move to streaming: Bhansali, Akhtar, Ali and Hirani have all taken on streaming projects.
For more on Hindi films and their makers, visit our entertainment section and people section.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the most successful Bollywood director?
By box office record, Rajkumar Hirani is often named, as nearly all his films have been major hits. Rohit Shetty and Sanjay Leela Bhansali also have strong commercial records.
What is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next film?
His next film is Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal.
Which films has Zoya Akhtar directed?
Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do, Gully Boy and The Archies, plus segments in anthology films.
Sources: Wikipedia: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Wikipedia: Rajkumar Hirani, Wikipedia: Anurag Kashyap.
