Rapper Honey Singh turns actor

While Honey Singh is set to make his Bollywood acting debut with Xpose, Karan Johar acts in Bombay Velvet. From singers and directors to stylists and even casting assistants — it seems that everyone wants to turn actor; but what does it really take, we ask.

In 2011, a girl from the PR division of Aditya Chopra’s production house was cast in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl.

Karan-Johar-heads-to-the-check-in-counter-at-the-Mumbai-airport

Now, the girl —

Parineeti Chopra

–—is being touted as one of the most promising new actresses in Bollywood. As more and more people from within the film industry venture into acting, we look at the ones you’ll be seeing on the big screen in the near future.

Singers-turned-actors

Singer Monali Thakur — known for hits like Zara zara touch me (Race; 2008) and Sawaar loon (Lootera; 2013) — is set to turn actor.

She will play the protagonist in Nagesh Kukunoor’s Lakshmi; and she has a role in Abbas Tyrewala’s multi-starrer, Mango. Monali says, "Being from the industry, we do have a small advantage… Besides, I’ve always been a movie buff. While acting, I, unknowingly, may have copied the style of actors who I’ve admired."

Singer-in-vogue

Yo Yo Honey Singh

will also make his Bollywood acting debut with Xpose. His character is being touted as dark and edgy, and he will be seen opposite Himesh Reshammiya, who’s also producing the film.

Reversing the camera

Directors have arguably the best understanding of the cinematic medium. Around the world, a fair number of them have acted in films regularly.

In Bollywood,

Farhan Akhtar

, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Farah Khan, Sudhir Mishra and

Anurag Kashyap

are prime examples.

Now, Karan Johar is also trying his hand at acting again (he has previously starred in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, 1994) in Bombay Velvet. He, however, says the move isn’t easy. "Not anyone and everyone can act. In fact, of all the departments of film-making, acting is the toughest. After acting in this film, my respect for actors has gone up manifold."

Director Prem Soni (Main Aur Mrs Khanna, 2009; Ishkq In Paris, 2013) is also turning actor with an upcoming film, Laila Manju. "Singers, directors and casting assistants are all aware of the functionalities, and understand the medium," says Soni.

The big break

Stylist Ayesha Khanna apparently met Shilpa Shetty for styling work, but found herself auditioning for a role in her production. She will be seen opposite Harman Baweja in Dishkiyaoon.

Casting assistant for Aditya Chopra’s company, Bhumi Pednekar, will be seen opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in Dum Laga Ke Haisha.