Bollywood directors who can give mainstream actors a run for their money

Directors are often credited for being excellent actors. They comprehend situations, emotions, conflicts and general response to stimuli like none other. Anecdotes from sets flow around regularly when directors are shown to demonstrate scenes for reference with such panache that the concerned actors are unintentionally made to feel inadequate.

Which is why when some of the best in business who generally call the shots decided to move on in front of the camera, they made for actors par excellence.

We decided to compile the crème de la crème from this niche of director-turned-actors for you.

Anurag Kashyap, considered the torchbearer of all things off-beat in Bollywood, has also impressed critics unanimously with his acting skills. The acclaimed director who has experience of being a thespian impressed everyone with his turn as a paedophilic molester in Onir's anthological 'I Am'. He followed that up with Tigmanshu Dhulia's 'Shagird' co-starring Nana Patekar, which tragically went unnoticed. But he's come back with a bang with his turn as the antagonist in AR Murugadoss' Sonakshi Sinha starrer 'Akira'.

Farhan Akhtar, made a name for himself as being one of the best directors in business with cult films as 'Dil Chahta Hai,' 'Lakshya,' and 'Don' made his acting debut in Abhishek Kapoor's 'Rock On!!' to phenomenal acclaim. So much so that the actor is yet to get back to direction, since. Farhan will be reprising his role from 'Rock On!!' in the film's upcoming sequel.

Prakash Jha known for helming socio-politically fuelled rustic films made his acting debut in his own 'Jai Gangaajal' featuring Priyanka Chopra as a no-nonsense cop. His turn as a grey cop fetched him laurels aplenty.

Karan Johar, known for his extremely successful family films, had made his acting debut in a minuscule role in Aditya Chopra's cult classic 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge'. But the Dharma head honcho's vicious turn as the scheming antagonist in Anurag Kashyap's period drama 'Bombay Velvet', turned many a head in appreciation.

Farah Khan had appeared in inconsequential cameos in 'Kuch Kucch Hota Hai' and 'Kal Ho Na Ho,' she made her full-fledged acting debut opposite Boman Irani in Bela Sehgal's 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Badi'. Her turn as an outspoken Parsi woman fetched her a lot of critical acclaim.

Tigmanshu Dhulia, had appeared in acclaimed art-house filmmaker Pradip Kishen's 'Electric Moon,' made his elaborate acting debut in Anurag Kashyap's cult two-part classic, 'Gangs of Wasseypur,' with much aplomb. His dialogues from the film are still etched into pop-cult lore.