As the curtains draw on 2025, some visionaries behind the camera have proven that directors are just as important as star power when it comes to the OTT space. In fact, the OTT landscape has become a perfect platform for a new breed of storytellers, no matter how old they are. This year, seasoned actors and fresh faces alike stepped into the director’s chair, delivering some of the most innovative and talked-about content on digital platforms.
Here are 2025’s most promising directorial debuts that redefined the OTT experience among Indian viewers.
1. Aryan Khan (The Bads of Bollywood – Netflix)
Perhaps the most scrutinised directorial debut of the decade, Aryan Khan bypassed the acting route to helm a project that is as bold as it is self-aware. The Bads of Bollywood wasted no time in ruling Netflix India’s rankings after its premiere. It served as a sharp, satirical dive into the chaotic and controversial underbelly of the film industry. The series follows an ambitious outsider (Lakshay) navigating the high stakes of stardom and romance.
Despite some flaws, viewers praised Khan for not playing it safe with his first directorial venture. With cameos from superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, along with excellent use of the show’s cast, Aryan Khan has established himself not just as a star son but as a director with a distinct, modern voice.
2. Boman Irani (The Mehta Boys – Amazon Prime Video)
Veteran actor Boman Irani proved that it is never too late to reinvent oneself. His directorial debut, The Mehta Boys, co-written with Oscar-winning writer Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), arrived on Amazon Prime Video in February 2025.
This is an intimate, raw, and emotional drama about a strained father-son duo (played by Irani and Avinash Tiwary) forced to spend 48 hours together. Staying away from traditional Bollywood melodrama in favour of nuanced silence and raw human emotion, Irani’s debut was hailed by the majority of viewers and critics. It even won Best Feature at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival.
3. Pushkar Sunil Mahabal (Black, White & Gray: Love Kills – SonyLIV)
Pushkar Sunil Mahabal’s entry into the crime-thriller genre brought a unique mockumentary flair to SonyLIV in May 2025. Black, White & Gray: Love Kills is a gripping exploration of a serial murder case, following a 22-year-old on the run and a journalist attempting to piece together the truth.
The series stood out for its messy yet raw and uncomfortable narrative style. Supported by stellar performances from Tigmanshu Dhulia and Mayur More, the project was hailed as a strong addition to SonyLIV’s diverse content library.
4. Chinmay Mandlekar (Inspector Zende – Netflix)
Renowned Marathi actor and writer Chinmay Mandlekar made his directorial debut with Inspector Zende, a crime-comedy that premiered on Netflix in September 2025. The film features Manoj Bajpayee as the real-life legendary Mumbai cop Madhukar Zende, who famously captured serial killer Charles Sobhraj.
Mandlekar expertly blends 70s/80s nostalgia with a quirky sense of humour while dealing with a classic cop vs criminal tale. His grounded and culturally rooted take on storytelling made the movie a big hit among Indian OTT viewers.
5. Tisca Chopra (Saali Mohabbat – ZEE5)
Tisca Chopra, long admired for her acting prowess, made a compelling transition to directing with Saali Mohabbat, released on ZEE5 in late 2025. Described as a ‘how-dunnit’ rather than a ‘whodunnit,’ the film stars Radhika Apte as a homemaker whose ordinary life is shattered by a double murder.
Chopra’s direction received praise for bringing a deeply female perspective to the leading character, while also shedding light on the quiet tensions and invisible power struggles within a household. Backed by Apte’s strong performance, the film succeeds in building and maintaining psychological suspense throughout its runtime.
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