2019 seems ready for new directors, with superstars queuing up to work with fresh talent.
Debutant director Aditya Dhar scored a Rs 200 crore hit with his very first movie, Uri: The Surgical Strike.
Kangana Ranaut, who shared directorial credit in Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi, made sure the historical did well too despite all the controversy.
Debutante Shelly Chopra Dhar attempted a bold subject in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga.
2019 seems totally ready for new directors, with superstars queuing up to work with fresh talent.
Joginder Tuteja lists the directors set to make their debuts this year.
Laxman Utekar, Luka Chuppi
The Luka Chuppi trailer looks good, and Kriti and Kartik share a warm chemistry.
The film marks cinematographer (102 Not Out, Hindi Medium, Dear Zindagi, English Vinglish) Laxman Utekar's Hindi directorial debut.
Laxman has directed the Marathi films, Lalbaugchi Rani and Tapaal.
Prakash Kovelamudi, Mental Hai Kya
One hopes there are no credit issues with Kangana's next, Mental Hai Kya, where the actress reunites with her Queen costar Rajkummar Rao.
Director Prakash Kovelamudi has the Telugu release Anaganaga O Dheerudu to his credit.
Akiv Ali, De De Pyaar De
Akiv Ali has edited all of Luv Ranjan's hits so far.
Besides the Pyaar Ka Punchnama movies and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, he has close to 30 films to his credit as an editor.
Now, he makes his directorial debut with De De Pyaar De, starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Rakul Preet.
Prashant Singh, Jabariya Jodi
After assisting Aanand L Rai on Raanjhanaa and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Prashant Singh makes his debut with Jabariya Jodi.
Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra pair up in this musical affair.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Kabir Singh
When Sandeep Reddy Vanga made his directorial debut, his Telugu movie Arjun Reddy was a sensational hit.
When the film's Hindi version was put together with Shahid Kapoor as Kabir Singh, it was natural to have Sandeep helm it.
R Madhavan, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
When Rocketry: The Nambi Effect was announced in multiple languages, Madhavan and Ananth Mahadevan were said to be its co-directors.
Now, it seems only Madhavan will call the shots.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect tells the true story of ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan who was falsely accused of spying.
Jagan Shakti, Mission Mangal
He worked on Cheeni Kum, Paa, English Vinglish, Shamitabh and PadMan. Now Jagan Shakti makes his directorial debut with Mission Mangal.
Akshay Kumar knows him well; they have worked on Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty.
Mikhil Musale, Made In India
Mikhil Musale made the National Award-winning Gujarati film, Wrong Side Raju, in 2016. Now, he gets into a light-hearted zone with Rajkummar Rao and Mouni Roy in Made In India.
Raj Mehta, Good News
Raj Mehta assisted on the Dharma films Kapoor & Sons and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya.
Now he will direct Dharma's Good News starring Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Diljit Dosanjh and Kiara Advani.
Om Raut, Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior
Om Raut directed the Marathi film Lokmanya - Ek Yugpurush. Now he helms a film based on another Maharashtrian legend. Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior stars Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan.
