Bollywood Actors Who Turned Producers For Their Films: Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt And More

Written By: Entertainment Desk

Aug 25, 2026 12:22 IST ⓘ

Bollywood stars who stepped into film production while also starring in the movies they backed.

Acting in a movie means learning lines, understanding a character and surviving long shooting days. Producing one means worrying about schedules, budgets, distribution, marketing – and whether an expensive set is about to be destroyed by unexpected rain. Yet several Bollywood stars have willingly exchanged the comfort of simply facing the camera for the considerable risk of helping finance what happens behind it. For some, production offered greater control over the stories they wanted to tell.

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Others used their banners to experiment with unconventional subjects that traditional studios might have considered risky. The results have ranged from record-breaking blockbusters to expensive lessons in film economics. From Shah Rukh Khan entering production long before Red Chillies Entertainment became a powerhouse to Alia Bhatt scoring a streaming success with her very first venture, these stars proved that sometimes the most interesting role is the one behind the camera.

Without further ado, check out the list below:

1. Shah Rukh Khan

Long before Red Chillies Entertainment was producing Rs 1,000 crore spectacles, Shah Rukh Khan’s journey as a producer began with a film that could not persuade the box office to share his enthusiasm. Released on 21 January 2000, Aziz Mirza’s ‘Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani’ was produced by Shah Rukh, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza under their company Dreamz Unlimited. SRK and Juhi played rival television reporters, with Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever and Satish Shah among the other cast members.

The film was mounted on an estimated budget of Rs 13 crore and grossed approximately Rs 25 crore worldwide, but its high costs resulted in a flop verdict. Its commentary on sensational television journalism found greater appreciation later, although that did not help its original balance sheet. The setback did not scare Shah Rukh away from production. Dreamz Unlimited eventually gave way to Red Chillies Entertainment, the company behind films ranging from ‘Main Hoon Na’ and ‘Om Shanti Om’ to ‘Chennai Express, ‘Pathaan’ and ‘Jawan’.

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2. Aamir Khan

Aamir Khan did not make his production debut with a modest contemporary drama that could be completed in two Mumbai apartments. He selected a period film about colonial taxation, a three-hour-plus running time and a climactic cricket match involving villagers who had barely seen the sport. In other words, ‘Lagaan’ was either inspired filmmaking or the most elaborate way imaginable to terrify an accountant.

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and released on 15 June 2001, ‘Lagaan’ starred Aamir, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne. The first production from Aamir Khan Productions cost approximately Rs 25 crore and grossed around Rs 59 crore worldwide. Its eventual Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film transformed the gamble into a landmark moment for Indian cinema. Aamir subsequently backed films including ‘Taare Zameen Par’, ‘Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na’, ‘Peepli Live’, ‘Secret Superstar’, ‘Dangal’ and ‘Laapataa Ladies’, establishing a banner built as much around distinctive ideas as star vehicles.

3. Salman Khan

Salman Khan’s producer hat came with a familiar bonus: it was worn while he was delivering one of his most loved performances. Kabir Khan’s ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, released on 17 July 2015, featured Salman as the warm-hearted Pawan, who attempts to reunite a mute Pakistani child with her family. Harshaali Malhotra, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui completed the principal cast.

Produced by Salman and Rockline Venkatesh under Salman Khan Films and Rockline Entertainments, the film was listed by Sacnilk at a budget of approximately Rs 90 crore. Its worldwide run brought in Rs 921 crore. The enormous total was impressive, but the film’s lasting achievement was showing that Salman’s screen power could work without making him invincible, indestructible or permanently surrounded by flying cars.

Apart from ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, Salman has backed films including ‘Hero’, ‘Tubelight’, ‘Race 3’, ‘Loveyatri’, ‘Notebook’, ‘Bharat’, ‘Dabangg 3’, ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ and ‘Sikandar’.

4. Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar did not ease into film production quietly. His banner arrived with a turban, Australian locations, hip-hop swagger and enough comic confusion to power several sequels. Hari Om Entertainment – later renamed Cape of Good Films – was one of the banners behind Anees Bazmee’s ‘Singh Is Kinng’, which was released on 8 August 2008. Akshay, Katrina Kaif, Om Puri and Kirron Kher led the cast, while Vipul Amrutlal Shah served as the credited producer.

Made for approximately Rs 50 crore, the comedy grossed around Rs 122 crore worldwide. More importantly, it helped establish Akshay as an actor willing to build a substantial production slate around himself. His banner subsequently became associated with films such as ‘Khatta Meetha’, ‘Holiday’, ‘Airlift’, ‘Rustom’, ‘Pad Man’, ‘Kesari’ and ‘Mission Mangal’.

5. Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn’s first production did not arrive on a financially cautious note either. Released on 29 December 2000, ‘Raju Chacha’ was a lavish family adventure directed by his cousin Anil Devgan. Ajay starred opposite Kajol, with Rishi Kapoor and Johnny Lever in major roles and Sanjay Dutt making a special appearance. It became the first film produced under the company now known as Devgn Films.

Its elaborate sets and visual effects contributed to an estimated Rs 25 crore budget – a substantial amount for a Hindi film at the time. The movie earned only about Rs 20.92 crore worldwide and was declared a disaster. Ajay, however, stayed in the producer’s chair. His company later backed ‘U Me Aur Hum’, ‘Shivaay’, ‘Runway 34’, ‘Bhuj: The Pride of India’ and the blockbuster ‘Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior’.

6. Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan turned producer with a film about modern relationships, commitment anxiety and people who believe emotional confusion becomes sophisticated when discussed over coffee. Directed by Imtiaz Ali, ‘Love Aaj Kal’ was released on 31 July 2009 and marked Saif’s production debut through Illuminati Films, the company he established with Dinesh Vijan. Saif and Deepika Padukone played Jai and Meera, while Rishi Kapoor and Giselli Monteiro anchored the parallel love story set in an earlier era.

Made on an estimated budget of Rs 50 crore, the film grossed approximately Rs 117 crore worldwide. Saif’s banner subsequently produced the zombie comedy ‘Go Goa Gone’, the espionage thriller ‘Agent Vinod’, ‘Cocktail’ and ‘Happy Ending’.

7. Farhan Akhtar

Farhan Akhtar had already established Excel Entertainment with Ritesh Sidhwani and produced films such as ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and ‘Lakshya’. With ‘Rock On!!’, however, he placed himself in front of the camera, behind the microphone and on the production credits. Apparently, choosing one job would have been far too relaxing.

Released on 29 August 2008, the musical drama was directed by Abhishek Kapoor and starred Farhan, Arjun Rampal, Prachi Desai, Purab Kohli, Luke Kenny and Shahana Goswami. The story of estranged members of a rock band attempting to rediscover their friendship was made for approximately Rs 19 crore and grossed around Rs 36.09 crore worldwide. Its theatrical performance was modest, but the music, performances and emotional treatment of male friendship gave it a lasting following. It also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, proving that Farhan’s decision to give himself both a microphone and the production bills had paid off creatively.

8. John Abraham

John Abraham’s first production, ‘Vicky Donor’, became a sleeper hit without requiring him to appear on screen. For his next major move, he backed a film in which he was also the leading man. Released on 23 August 2013, Shoojit Sircar’s ‘Madras Cafe’ starred John as an intelligence operative drawn into the Sri Lankan civil conflict. Nargis Fakhri, Raashii Khanna, Siddhartha Basu and Prakash Belawadi appeared in important roles.

Produced through JA Entertainment with Rising Sun Films and Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the political thriller was made for approximately Rs 34 crore and grossed around Rs 67 crore worldwide. It was a striking departure from the muscular action vehicles audiences expected from John. Instead of introducing his character with an exploding building and slow-motion walk, the movie buried him inside a restrained, research-heavy espionage drama. That willingness to separate “John Abraham, movie star” from “John Abraham, producer” later helped his company back films such as ‘Parmanu’, ‘Batla House’ and ‘Attack’.

9. Anushka Sharma

At 25, Anushka Sharma decided that acting in an exhausting survival thriller was not enough; she also wanted responsibility for getting it financed. Her production debut, ‘NH10’, was released on 13 March 2015 and directed by Navdeep Singh. Anushka played Meera, whose seemingly ordinary road trip with her husband, played by Neil Bhoopalam, descends into a brutal fight for survival. Darshan Kumaar and Deepti Naval also appeared in major roles.

Produced by Anushka and Karnesh Ssharma’s Clean Slate Filmz alongside Phantom Films and Eros International, ‘NH10’ was made for approximately Rs 15 crore. It grossed around Rs 43.90 crore worldwide. Anushka revealed that she reduced her acting fee and redirected the money into the film – a practical demonstration of how quickly a star’s remuneration becomes “production cost” when the star owns the company. The success opened the door for Clean Slate projects including ‘Phillauri’, ‘Pari’, ‘Bulbbul’ and ‘Paatal Lok’.

10. Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas returned to Hindi cinema after a considerable gap with a film that gave her more than a leading role. Shonali Bose’s ‘The Sky Is Pink’, released on 11 October 2019, became the first Hindi production from Priyanka’s Purple Pebble Pictures. She produced it with Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur and starred alongside Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim and Rohit Saraf.

Inspired by the life of Aisha Chaudhary and her family, the drama was reportedly made for approximately Rs 24 crore and grossed around Rs 28.50 crore worldwide. Its theatrical performance was disappointing, but Priyanka’s involvement illustrated why actors establish banners in the first place: the producer’s chair allows them to support personal, emotionally difficult material that may never resemble an obvious Friday-night blockbuster. Purple Pebble Pictures has also backed regional films including the National Award-winning Marathi drama ‘Ventilator’, Bhojpuri projects and international productions. She has bankrolled ‘Sarvann’, ‘Pahuna: The Little Visitors’, ‘Firebrand’, ‘Paani’ and ‘The White Tiger’.

11. Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone could have made her production debut with an extravagant romance, several designer costume changes and at least one song shot beside a European lake. Instead, she chose ‘Chhapaak’, a drama inspired by acid-attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Directed by Meghna Gulzar and released on 10 January 2020, the film starred Deepika as Malti, with Vikrant Massey playing social activist Amol.

The film marked the production debut of Deepika’s KA Productions, alongside Fox Star Studios and Mriga Films. Sacnilk listed the budget at Rs 50 crore and worldwide gross at Rs 56 crore. Commercially, the debut was difficult; creatively, it made Deepika’s intentions clear. Apart from ‘Chhapaak’, Deepika also co-produced Kabir Khan’s cricket drama ‘83’, in which she appeared alongside Ranveer Singh.

12. Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt’s first production did not ask her to play safe, glamorous or consistently likeable. Jasmeet K Reen’s dark comedy ‘Darlings’ featured Alia as Badru, a woman trapped in an abusive marriage who eventually attempts to reverse the balance of power. Shefali Shah, Vijay Varma and Roshan Mathew completed the principal cast.

Released directly on Netflix on 5 August 2022, the film was produced by Alia through Eternal Sunshine Productions with Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma of Red Chillies Entertainment. As a streaming original, it had no theatrical gross, and a production budget was not disclosed. Netflix, however, reported that ‘Darlings’ achieved the biggest opening for one of its Indian films at the time, was watched in 28 countries and accumulated more than 32 million viewing hours during 2022. Apart from ‘Darlings’, Alia co-produced ‘Jigra’, served as an executive producer on the wildlife-crime series ‘Poacher’ and has announced the coming-of-age film ‘Don’t Be Shy’ as her next production.

13. Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut did not merely star in ‘Emergency’. She directed it, produced it through Manikarnika Films, developed its story and played former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Released on 17 January 2025 after multiple postponements and certification disputes, the political drama also starred Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Mahima Chaudhry, Milind Soman and the late Satish Kaushik. Its budget was widely reported at approximately Rs 60 crore. Bollywood Hungama recorded an Indian lifetime collection of Rs 16.52 crore, while subsequent reports placed its worldwide gross at roughly Rs 23.75 crore. Whatever one thought of the finished film, it represented the most extreme version of an actor taking ownership: Kangana carried both the creative authority and much of the financial risk.

14. Kareena Kapoor Khan

After more than two decades as a leading actress, Kareena Kapoor Khan entered production with a project far removed from the glossy romances and ensemble comedies associated with her stardom. Hansal Mehta’s ‘The Buckingham Murders’ cast Kareena as Jasmeet Bhamra, a grieving British-Indian detective investigating a child’s disappearance. Ranveer Brar, Ash Tandon and Keith Allen appeared in supporting roles.

Produced by Kareena, Ektaa R Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, the investigative drama received a theatrical release on 13 September 2024 after appearing at international film festivals. Its production budget was not officially disclosed. The movie earned approximately Rs 14.56 crore worldwide and was classified as a flop, but it gave Kareena one of her most restrained roles and signalled that her production interests would not simply duplicate her established screen image.

15. Kriti Sanon

For her first production, Kriti Sanon apparently decided one Kriti would not be enough. ‘Do Patti’ cast her in the dual roles of twin sisters Saumya and Shailee, with Kajol playing the police officer drawn into their increasingly complicated lives. Shaheer Sheikh starred as Dhruv, the man at the centre of the twins’ troubled relationship.

Directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi, the thriller premiered on Netflix on 25 October 2024. It marked Kriti’s production debut through Blue Butterfly Films, alongside writer-producer Kanika Dhillon’s Kathha Pictures. No official budget or theatrical collection exists because the film went directly to streaming. Netflix’s engagement report recorded approximately 20 million views during the second half of 2024 – an impressive result for a first production that asked Kriti to juggle two performances and a new business role simultaneously. The film’s reviews were divided, but its audience reach meant Blue Butterfly Films had no need to play a second hand.

16. Taapsee Pannu

Taapsee Pannu has built much of her career around women who walk into dangerous situations and refuse to behave as helplessly as the screenplay’s villains expect. It was therefore fitting that her first production followed the same route. Directed by Ajay Bahl, ‘Blurr’ starred Taapsee as twin sisters Gayatri and Gautami, with Gulshan Devaiah, Kruttika Desai and Abhilash Thapliyal in supporting roles.

An adaptation of the Spanish thriller ‘Julia’s Eyes’, the film premiered on ZEE5 on 9 December 2022. It was produced through Taapsee and Pranjal Khandhdiya’s Outsiders Films with Zee Studios and Echelon Productions. No verified production budget, theatrical gross or audited lifetime viewing total was released publicly. Apart from ‘Blurr’, Taapsee co-produced the road drama ‘Dhak Dhak’, starring Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanjana Sanghi.