Manan Kapur: From Actor to Director; No Plans to Leave Acting

Manan Kapur, a Mumbai‑based actor who has recently stepped behind the camera, told Filmibeat’s Abhishek Ranjit that his journey from stage to set has been driven by a relentless curiosity about every facet of filmmaking. When he first arrived in the city, his ambition was simple: to act. He had spent years in theatre and attended acting classes, but the reality of the industry opened up new avenues for him.

It was during his early days in casting that Kapur discovered a passion for the mechanics of film production. “I realised I was genuinely enjoying casting. It was exciting, but after some time, I wanted to understand what happened on set,” he explained. He recalled how senior actors had told him that the real film school is a set, where acting, direction and all other crafts converge. This insight pushed him to broaden his experience beyond the audition room.

Determined to learn, Kapur approached several assistant directors, offering to work for free and to take on any task, from handling printouts to fetching coffee. His persistence paid off when he secured a role as an assistant director on the film Heer Sara. Watching the director translate a script into a visual narrative was a turning point. “Seeing the director execute a vision was fascinating. Everyone on set looked to him for answers. That’s when I realised I also wanted to become a director,” he said.

Since then, Kapur has climbed the ladder from assistant director to director’s assistant, and he recently directed the music video Aa Chalein Hum Kahin. Despite his growing success behind the camera, he remains committed to acting. “I don’t believe you have to choose just one path,” he told Filmibeat. “Great actors can become great directors, and vice versa. Farhan Akhtar is someone I really admire for that. Creativity has no limits. You can wear many hats, as long as you’re equally passionate and committed to each one.”

For Kapur, the focus is not on titles but on storytelling. He says his goal is to continue telling meaningful stories, whether that means stepping in front of the camera or behind it. His career, shaped by a blend of acting, casting, assistant direction and directing, exemplifies a modern, multi‑disciplinary approach to cinema.