An actor who took up directing after almost a decade, Ashutosh Gowariker is one of those rare people who take the path less taken and, although it was a rough going, he is now one ...more >>of Indias elite directors. He began his film career modeling in commercials by Govind Nihalani and Jenny Pinto. He entered Hindi cinema with Ketan Mehtas Holi (1984), as Ranjeet Prakash, one of the main protagonists. His acting career continued with Mahesh Bhatts Naam (1986), David Rathods West Is West (1987), Saeed Akhtar Mirzas Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989), Jalal Aghas Goonj (1989), Anant Balanis Gawahi (1989), and _Kundan Shah_s Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1993). He also acted in award-winning Marathi-language films such as the Ujwal Thengdi creation Vazir (1994) and _Shraboni Deodhar_s Sarkarnama (1998). Alongside these features, TV serials like Amol Palekars Kachchi Dhoop (1987), the Saeed Akhtar Mirza & Aziz Mirza-Kundan Shah collaboration Circus (1989)_, and Pradeep Uppoor and B.P. Singhs C.I.D. (1999) also found him in front of the camera--and, incidentally, brought him into contact with the finest minds in contemporary Indian cinema.<< collapse