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Bollywood Writers and Directors who started as Assistant Directors: From Zoya Akhtar, Ayan Mukherji to Kanika Dhillon!
Ever wonder how Bollywood’s most celebrated writers and directors got their start? While some may dream of instant success, many honed their skills in the demanding role of assistant director.
From fetching coffee to coordinating complex shoots, these filmmakers paid their dues before making their own mark on the industry. From Anurag Kashyap, Reema Kagti, Ayan Mukherji to Kanika Dhillon, here are some Bollywood Writers and Directors who started their career as Assistant directors to famous directors!
Bollywood Writers And Directors Who Started As Assistant Directors: 1) Zoya Akhtar
Zoya Akhtar, a prominent director and screenwriter in Bollywood, honed her skills by working as an assistant director early in her career. She gained valuable on-set experience with acclaimed filmmakers, including assisting her brother Farhan Akhtar on Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya, as well as Ashutosh Gowariker on Lagaan. These experiences shaped her desire to tell her own stories and laid the groundwork for her directorial debut.
(Also Read: Zoya Akhtar Took 7 Years To Make Her First Film Luck By Chance)
2) Kanika Dhillon
Kanika Dhillon’s Bollywood journey began with Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, where she started as a script supervisor and assistant director. Working on films like Om Shanti Om, she learned the ropes of the industry firsthand. This experience proved invaluable, shaping her into the successful writer and producer she is today. Kanika over the years has written screenplays for films like Manmarziyaan, Judgemental Hain Kya and many more. She proved her mettle as a producer with Do Patti that released in 2024 and Dhillon is all set to release her upcoming actioner Gandhari starring Taapsee Pannu soon.
Bollywood Writers And Directors Who Started As Assistant Directors: 3) Ayan Mukerji
Ayan Mukerji, known for directing films like Wake Up Sid and Brahmāstra, began his Bollywood journey as an assistant director. He gained valuable experience working with his brother-in-law, Ashutosh Gowariker, on Swades and later with Karan Johar on Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. These early experiences shaped his understanding of filmmaking and paved the way for his directorial debut.
4) Aditya Chopra
Aditya Chopra, now the Chairman of Yash Raj Films, began his Bollywood journey at the young age of 18, working as an assistant director in his father Yash Chopra’s film Chandni. He continued to hone his skills as an assistant director on films like Lamhe and Darr, learning the intricacies of filmmaking from the ground up. This early experience provided the foundation for his later success as a director, writer, and producer.
Bollywood Writers And Directors Who Started As Assistant Directors: 5) Reema Kagti
Reema Kagti, now a successful director and screenwriter in Bollywood, began her journey behind the camera, gaining experience as an assistant director on a variety of notable films. Working with leading directors like Farhan Akhtar and Ashutosh Gowariker, she honed her skills on sets of films like Dil Chahta Hai and Lagaan. This hands-on training provided her with a solid foundation for her future directorial ventures.
(Also Read: 6 Bollywood Actors Who Were Assistant Directors!)
