Ranbir Kapoor Plans Directorial Debut Within the Next Three Years

Ranbir Kapoor is preparing to move behind the camera. In a conversation with Haroon Rashid for BBC Asian Network, the actor said he has begun writing his first film and hopes to start shooting his directorial debut within the next two to three years.

Speaking alongside Sai Pallavi, Kapoor described the proposed move as an important future chapter in his career. He also suggested that the coming decade could be his last as a full-time actor, although his comments indicate that he intends to complete several major acting commitments before pursuing direction.

Ranbir Kapoor has already started writing the script

Kapoor revealed that he began working on the script a couple of months ago. The early writing process has also changed the way he views the work of writers and other creators, giving him a deeper appreciation of the development that takes place before a film reaches the set.

At this stage, the project remains in development. No title, production company, cast, release date or shooting schedule has been announced. Kapoor has, however, indicated that he wants to make a feel-good family drama rather than a project built around spectacle or personal stardom.

His creative references include Life Is Beautiful, It’s a Wonderful Life and the films of Rajkumar Hirani. These references point towards an emotionally accessible story shaped by family, hope and human connection, though Kapoor has not disclosed the narrative of his own film.

A planned transition rather than an immediate exit from acting

Kapoor’s comments do not represent an immediate departure from acting. He said he wants to complete Brahmastra 2, Animal Park and Ramayana Part 2 before stepping into direction. The projects are therefore part of the long-term professional timeline he described, rather than confirmation of individual release dates.

His statement that he does not want to cast himself in his directorial debut is also significant. For an actor-director, remaining outside the cast can create more space to concentrate on the screenplay, performances, visual language and overall rhythm of the film. It may also allow Kapoor to approach the project as a filmmaker first, rather than as its lead performer.

The decision reflects the demanding nature of a feature directorial debut. A director must coordinate writing, casting, production design, cinematography, editing and performance while maintaining a consistent point of view. Kapoor’s acknowledgment of the importance of writers suggests that the screenplay is likely to remain central to the project’s development.

Why the announcement matters for Hindi cinema

Kapoor has spent much of his career working across romance, drama, comedy and darker roles. Moving into direction would add a new dimension to that journey and place him among a long line of performers who have eventually taken creative responsibility behind the camera.

The proposed family drama is also notable because Kapoor has identified warmth and emotional accessibility as key influences. In an industry often dominated by franchise films, action spectacles and high-concept projects, a carefully written family story could offer a different kind of theatrical proposition. That possibility remains a creative ambition for now, not a confirmed production plan.

The next stage will be the script itself. Kapoor’s comments suggest that he is still in the writing phase, and the proposed two-to-three-year window leaves considerable time for the idea to evolve. Development, financing, casting and scheduling will determine when the film can formally move into production.

What Ranbir Kapoor has confirmed so far

• He has started writing his first film as a director.
• He hopes to begin shooting within the next two to three years.
• He is considering a feel-good family drama.
• His stated influences include Life Is Beautiful, It’s a Wonderful Life and Rajkumar Hirani’s cinema.
• He does not currently plan to cast himself in the directorial debut.
• He wants to complete Brahmastra 2, Animal Park and Ramayana Part 2 before directing.

Further details about the film should be treated as unconfirmed until Kapoor or an authorised production source announces them. For background on the actor’s wider work, readers can consult his biographical profile and the official BBC Asian Network platform associated with the conversation.

DPIFF Instagram reference

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival shared the development on Instagram, highlighting Kapoor’s plans to write and direct a family drama and his intended timeline for beginning production.

View the original DPIFF Instagram post on Ranbir Kapoor’s directorial plans.

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Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival is an Indian film festival platform that recognises achievements across cinema and entertainment. Its editorial coverage focuses on notable developments involving films, filmmakers, actors, creators and the wider screen industry. Through its digital channels, DPIFF also shares news and context connected to contemporary Indian cinema.

For now, Kapoor’s directorial debut remains at the writing stage. What has been established is his intention to build the project gradually, complete his current acting slate and approach filmmaking from behind the camera without making himself the centre of the cast.