7 Flop Bollywood Actors Who Became Successful Directors!

We are often led to wonder what happens to the careers of actors who fail to create their mark in Bollywood and ultimately quit acting ? There are so many of them, we hear, who enter into business ventures and make a solid income but then there are some others who know nothing beyond films and are  passionate enough to stick around but not as actors. There are actors who flopped and then became filmmakers and did loads better for themselves. Obviously not all of them were successful but some others found their foot in direction and turned out to be great directors in Bollywood. Here is a list of flop actors turned directors in Bollywood.  

Pooja Bhatt – Daughter of popular film director Mahesh Bhatt, Pooja started out as an actress and delivered some hit movies like Saadak and Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi. But her popularity failed to last and she turned into a director with the 2004 film Paap. She has directed quite few movies since like Holiday, Jism 2 and Cabret.

Jugal Hansraj – The good looking actor from Mohabbatein failed to impress on screen and was ultimately side lined into supporting roles. He quit acting and ventured into film making, directing films like Roadside Romeo, which was a animated love story and the 2010 flop flick, Pyaar Impossible!

Arbaaz Khan  - After failing to become a successful actor he took up direction with the film Dabangg 2. The film was undoubtedly a massive hit with Salman Khan in the lead.  He never quit acting though.

Ashutosh Gowariker – He entered the industry as an actor which he clearly failed at. He made his debut in the super flop film Holi in 1984 which also starred Aamir Khan. He went on to act in films like Naam, Chamatkar and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. He finally found his feet in direction and has directed some massive hits like Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar.

Subhash Ghai –  It’s a little known fact that this mega director made his debut as an actor. But he realized his mistake very soon after doing films like Taqdeer and Aradhana. He then went on to become a director and made some good films like Ram Lakhan and Taal.

Abhishek Kapoor – The popular director of films like Rock On! and Fitoor, Abhishek started off in Bollywood as an actor. He made his debut in the film Uff! Yeh Mohabbat in 1996 opposite Twinkle Khan. Thank god he chose direction over acting!

Rakesh Roshan - He is doing tonnes better as a director than he ever did as an actor. After doing several films over 70's and 80's he turned director with the film Khudgarz in 1987 and has notably directed films like Karan Arjun, Khoon Bhari Maang, Kaho Na.. Pyaar Hai and Krrish!

They are perfect examples of people who learnt their leassons the harder way!