Year ender 2023: Kathal to Satyaprem Ki Katha, major Bollywood directorial debuts of the year

Besides marking the successful return of many major stars throughout the year, 2023 was also the year when many young filmmakers made their mark on the industry, making their film debuts that made the audience sit up and take notice. From Haddi to Kathal, here are 6 major Bollywood direction debuts of 2023:

Kathal

Telling a satirical story that still manages to capture the sentiment and poignance of a story, a reality is not an easy job, but filmmaker Yashowardhan Mishra managed the difficult feat. With an impressive ensemble cast led by Dangal actor Sanya Malhotra, Mishra directs Kathal with wit and sensitivity - and the result is a film that makes you laugh as it you makes you think. 

Satyprem ki Katha

Even though Marathi film audience know director Sameer Vidwans for his work in Marathi cinema, Satyaprem Ki Katha marked the Hindi film debut for the director who earned a lot of praise for this film which had a sensitive taboo-laden subject at its core, and yet managed to engage the audience without discomforting or alienating them.

Haddi

Akshay Ajat Sharma made his direction debut with this Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer. Haddi is a gritty, violent film that had its shortcomings, but nonetheless made for a good beginning for a debutant filmmaker. 

Mission Majnu

This Sidharth Malhotra starrer marked the directorial debut for filmmaker Shantanu Bagchi, who told a story set against the backdrop of 1971 Indo-Pak war, a story that had patriotism and thrills in equal measures. Even though the film received mixed reviews, it further proved the potential of Sidharth Malhotra as an actor, and as a star who can carry the film on his own. 

Thank You for Coming

Written by Prashasti Singh and Radhika Anand, Thank You for Coming is a Hollywood-styled chick-flick, written and executed by debutant Karan Boolani with charming wit and sentimentality. The film also boasts of a stellar ensemble cast, led by the versatile Bhumi Pednekar.