Hindi Cinema Greatest Female Directors
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Five feature films, three short films, one web series, six Filmfare awards, an Emmy nomination and India's official entry to the Oscars outlines Zoya Akhtar's unique ability to tell stories that break the conventional norms and create waves globally.
Zoya's directorial journey began with Luck By Chance (2009), followed by Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), and the internationally acclaimed Gully Boy (2019), which have since acquired cult status, and won numerous global awards and accolades. The globally celebrated series Made in Heaven (2019) for Amazon Prime and the international Emmy nominated Lust Stories (2018) for Netflix have further extended Zoya's reach as a universal storyteller. Zoya's most recent directorial, The Archies (2023) is the official adaptation and the first ever feature film of the globally revered Archie comics.
Through Tiger Baby, Zoya has also turned producer - with Made in Heaven (2019), Eternally Confused and Eager for Love (2022), Dahaad (2023), The Archies (2023) and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) already under her belt, and many more exciting projects to come!- Additional Crew
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Farah Khan Kunder is an Indian film director, choreographer, writer, film producer, and actress with an extensive career in Hindi films. Khan studied at St. Teresa's Convent School, Mumbai, and then later studied sociology at St. Xavier's College, Bombay.
Khan's first movie as a choreographer was Kahan Kahan Se Guzar Gaya (1981). She entered mainstream Hindi cinema as a choreographer in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992) and gained fame with her choreographed song in the movie Virasat (1997), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography for the song Dhol Bajne Laga.
Her next two Filmfare Awards for Best Choreography were for Dil Se.. (1998) and Ek Pal Ka Jeena from the film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000).
Some of her other award-winning choreographed songs include Bombay Dreams (2004), for which she got nominated for Tony Awards for best choreography, Idhar Chala Main Udhar Chala from the movie Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) for which she won the National Film Award for Best Choreography and Filmfare Award for Best Choreography, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) in Tees Maar Khan (2022) for which she won another Filmfare Award for Best Choreography.
As an actress, she starred in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and appeared in a small role in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) and Om Shanti Om (2007). After doing a few cameo roles, she was seen as the lead actor in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi (2012).
Her directorial debut was Main Hoon Na (2004), starring Shah Rukh Khan and Zayed Khan. She then directed Om Shanti Om (2007), Tees Maar Khan (2010), and Happy New Year (2014).
She has appeared as a judge and co-host in several TV serials. She started with Indian Idol (2004), where she was the Judge in Seasons 1, 2, and 7. In 2006, she judged Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (2006) Season 1.
Then in 2008 and 2015, she also judged another dance show, Nach Baliye (2005) Season 4 and 7. In 2010, she was one of the judges for Dance India Dance: Li'l Masters (2010). In 2012, she did the show India's Got Talent (2009) Season 4 as a Judge.
In 2015, she co-hosted Bigg Boss Halla Bol: Farah Khan Replaces Salman (2015). In 2020, she was the interim host of Khatron Ke Khiladi - Made in India (2020). In 2022, she also hosted The Khatra Show (2019).- Director
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Gauri Shinde was born on 6 July 1974 in Pune, Maharashtra, India. She is a director and writer, known for English Vinglish (2012), Dear Zindagi (2016) and Chup (2022).- Director
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Accomplished Film Director/Writer/Producer Mira Nair was born in India and educated at Delhi University and at Harvard. She began her film career as an actor and then turned to directing award-winning documentaries, including So Far From India and India Cabaret. Her debut feature film, Salaam Bombay! was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1988; it won the Camera D'Or (for best first feature) and the Prix du Publique (for most popular entry) at the Cannes Film Festival and 25 other international awards. Her next film, Mississippi Masala, an interracial love story set in the American South and Uganda, starring Denzel Washington and Sarita Choudhury, won three awards at the Venice Film Festival including Best Screenplay and The Audience Choice Award. Subsequent films include The Perez Family (with Marisa Tomei, Anjelica Huston, Alfred Molina and Chazz Palminteri), about an exiled Cuban family in Miami; and the sensuous Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, which she directed and co-wrote. Nair directed My Own Country based on Dr. Abraham Verghese's best-selling memoir about a young immigrant doctor dealing with the AIDS epidemic. Made in 1998, My Own Country starred Naveen Andrews, Glenne Headly, Marisa Tomei, Swoosie Kurtz, and Hal Holbrook, and was awarded the NAACP award for best fiction feature. Nair returned to the documentary form in August 1999 with The Laughing Club of India, which was awarded The Special Jury Prize in the Festival International de Programmes Audiovisuels 2000. In the summer of 2000, Nair shot Monsoon Wedding in 30 days, a story of a Punjabi wedding starring Naseeruddin Shah and an ensemble of Indian actors. Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2001 Venice Film Festival, Monsoon Wedding also won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and opened worldwide to tremendous critical and commercial acclaim. Nair's next feature was an HBO original film, Hysterical Blindness. Set in working class New Jersey in 1987, the film stars Uma Thurman, Juliette Lewis, Gena Rowlands. Thurman and Lewis play single women looking for love in all the wrong places, while Rowlands, who plays Thurman's mother, adds to her daughter's hysteria when she finds Mr. Right in Ben Gazarra. The film received great critical acclaim and the highest ratings for HBO, garnering an audience of 15 million, a Golden Globe for Uma Thurman, and 3 Emmy Awards. Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Nair joined a group of 11 renowned filmmakers, each commissioned to direct a film that was 11 minutes, 9 seconds and one frame long. Nair's film is a retelling of real events in the life of the Hamdani family in Queens, whose eldest son was missing after September 11, and was then accused by the media of being a terrorist. 11.09.01 is the true story of a mother's search for her son who did not return home on that fateful day. In May 2003, Nair helmed the Focus Features production of the Thackeray classic, Vanity Fair, a provocative period tale set in post-colonial England, in which Reese Witherspoon plays the lead, Becky Sharp. The film is scheduled to release in Fall 2004. Nair's upcoming projects include Tony Kushner's Homebody/Kabul for HBO, and Hari Kunzru's The Impressionist, and there are also plans to take Monsoon Wedding to Broadway. Mirabai Films is establishing an annual filmmaker's laboratory, Maisha, which will be dedicated to the support of visionary screenwriters and directors in East Africa and India. The first lab, which is only for screenwriters, will be launched in August 2005 in Kampala, Uganda.- Director
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Tanuja Chandra was born on 3 June 1969 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She is a director and writer, known for Hush Hush (2022), Sur (2002) and Dushman (1998).- Writer
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Nupur Asthana created, wrote & directed the cult teen series Hip Hip Hurray (S01, 80 episodes) on Zee TV. She went on to direct prime time miniseries like Hubahu & Mahi Way. Her debut feature film was Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge for Y Films, a subsidiary of YRF. In 2014 she directed her 2nd feature film Bewakoofiyaan starring Rishi Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor & Ayushmann Khurrana, produced by Yash Raj Films. After that she directed shows for OTT platforms - Romil & Jugal ( Alt Balaji), Four More Shots Please S2 ( Amazon Prime Video), a short film The Couple as part of the Unpaused Naya Safar anthology ( Amazon Prime Video).- Writer
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Reema Kagti is considered to be one of the best working talents in Indian cinema, with a singular voice as an artist, screenwriter, and filmmaker.
Reema's directorial debut, Honeymoon Travels Private Limited (2006), was an immediate commercial success. Following that, she wrote and directed the neo-noir Talaash (2012), and the historic sports drama, Gold (2018), both of which were highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. In addition to directing, Reema has co-written the screenplays for huge commercial successes such as Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), and Gully Boy (2019), as well as the highly acclaimed series, Made in Heaven (2019), for Amazon Prime Video.
Reema's most recent project, 'Dahaad' received widespread love and appreciation, after making global waves at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2023. With her latest venture, Tiger Baby, Reema has extended her role to that of Producer - with Made in Heaven (2019), Eternally Confused and Eager for Love (2022), Dahaad (2023), The Archies (2023) and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) already under her belt, and many more exciting projects to come!- Actress
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Kiran Rao graduated with an economics major from the Sophia College for Women (Mumbai) in 1995. She also received her Masters at AJK Mass Communication Research Center at Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi.
Kiran Rao started her career as an assistant director in 2001. She met actor Aamir Khan on sets of Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001). They were married in December 2005. Kiran Rao is the second wife of Aamir Khan. After suffering a couple of miscarriages, the couple had a son born via surrogate on December 1, 2011.
Since 2001, she has been assisting in prominent movies. She scripted, directed, and produced the acclaimed Mumbai Diaries (2010).- Actress
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Nandita Das, born in Mumbai, India, is a highly acclaimed Indian actress, director, and social activist known for her impactful performances in parallel and mainstream cinema. With a career spanning over two decades, Nandita Das has not only established herself as a versatile and talented actress but also as a filmmaker committed to socially relevant storytelling.
Nandita Das made her acting debut in Bollywood with the film "Parinati" (1989). However, it was her role in the critically acclaimed film "Fire" (1996), directed by Deepa Mehta, that brought her widespread recognition. The film, exploring the taboo subject of same-sex relationships, marked a turning point in her career and showcased her willingness to take on unconventional and socially relevant roles.
Over the years, Nandita Das has been associated with numerous impactful films, including "Earth" (1998) and "Bawandar" (2000). Her performances in these films earned her accolades for portraying strong and resilient characters, often dealing with complex social issues.
Nandita Das is known for her collaborations with filmmakers who focus on meaningful and thought-provoking storytelling. She worked with Mira Nair in "Firaaq" (2008), a film set against the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat riots, and portrayed the legendary author Saadat Hasan Manto's wife in her directorial debut, "Manto" (2018).
In addition to her acting career, Nandita Das has made significant contributions as a director and producer. Her directorial venture "Firaaq" (2008) was widely praised for its sensitive portrayal of communal tensions. She has also been involved in various social and cultural initiatives, using her platform to advocate for human rights and equality.
Nandita Das has received several awards for her contributions to the world of cinema, including the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in "Firaaq" (2008). Her work has been recognized internationally, and she continues to be a prominent voice in both the film industry and social activism.
Nandita Das remains an influential figure, contributing to cinema and societal conversations through her creative endeavors and advocacy work.- Director
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Deepa Mehta is a transnational artist and a screenwriter, director, and producer whose work has been called "courageous", "provocative" and "breathtaking". Her visually lush and emotionally resonating films have played at every major international film festival; receiving numerous awards and accolades, and have been distributed around the world. Deepa was born in India and received a degree in philosophy from the University of New Delhi before immigrating to Canada. She began her career making documentaries in India.
In 1991, Deepa's first feature film Sam & Me, which stars Om Puri, won a Special Jury Mention in the Camera D'Or section at the Cannes Film Festival. Between 1992-1994 she directed two episodes of The Young Indiana Jones, produced by George Lucas for ABC. In 1993, Deepa directed her second feature film Camilla, a Canada-UK co-pro starring Jessica Tandy, Bridget Fonda, Elias Koteas, Maury Chaykin, Graham Greene, and Hume Cronyn. Fire, which Deepa wrote and directed, is the first film in her Elemental Trilogy (Fire, Earth, Water). Fire opened Perspective Canada at the 1996 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was runner-up for the People's Choice Most Popular Film Award. It played at the New York Film Festival and won many awards worldwide, including the Audience Award for Best Canadian Film at the Vancouver International Festival, the Special Jury Prize at the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival and Silver Hugo Awards for Best Direction and Best Actress in Chicago.
Earth, based on Bapsi Sidhwa's acclaimed novel about Partition, Cracking India, is the second film in the Elemental Trilogy. It premiered as a Special Presentation at the 1998 Toronto International Film Festival, and won the Prix Premiere du Public at the Festival du Film Asiatique de Deauville and the Critics' Award at the Verona Schermi d'Amore International Film Festival. Bollywood/Hollywood was a change of pace. Written and directed by Deepa, it is a lighthearted, affectionate comedy about two mismatched lovers. It opened Perspective Canada at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival and was a tremendous crossover box office success. It remains one of the top 10 grossing English language Canadian movies. In 2003 Deepa co-wrote and directed the Canada-UK co-pro The Republic of Love, based on a Carol Shields novel.
After a disrupted and hazardous production history Deepa's final film in the Elemental Trilogy Water opened the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival, and was the first Canadian film acquired by US distributor Fox Searchlight. Water is a powerful, hauntingly tragic story, set in Benares (Varanasi) about a child widow who at the age of eight is forced to enter a house of widows where she has to live for the rest of her life. The movie was to have been shot in India in 2000, but Hindu fundamentalists fomented riots, burnt sets, and issued death threats against the director and actors, forcing production to shut down and the filmmakers to leave the country. Water was successfully remounted in Sri Lanka and completed shooting in June 2004, and features many of India's most renowned actors.
Water was an enormous success. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 79th Annual Academy Awards, and has screened at festivals around the world, winning many awards, and remains an audience favourite. The Vancouver Film Critics Circle named Deepa Mehta the Best Canadian Director of 2006. This fall (2015) is the 10th anniversary of Water's launch.
In 2006 Deepa made a documentary about domestic violence in Toronto's immigrant families called Let's Talk About It, which continues to be used in community outreach programs. She then thematically segued into the feature film Heaven On Earth, which explores arranged marriages and isolation. Starring Preity Zinta, the film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008. It was awarded a Silver Hugo for Best Actress at the Chicago International Film Festival, and received the Best Screenplay Award at the Dubai International Film Festival. It also won the Youth Jury Award at the Schermi d'Amore Film Festival in Verona and the Audience Award at the River to River Florence Indian Film Festival.
In 2012, Deepa completed her epic cinematic adaptation of Salman Rushdie's famous novel about the history of India in the 20th century, Midnight's Children. A novel that won three Booker prizes. The movie, with 127 speaking parts, and covering five distinct time periods from 1917-1977, was a vast, ambitious undertaking and has screened all over the world, including the Telluride Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, and the BFI London Film Festival. Midnight's Children was chosen as the Best Feature Film of 2013 at the Directors Guild of Canada's Awards.
Deepa's work as an artist, as a progressive voice about social issues, and her generous mentorship have often been recognized. She has received numerous honorary degrees and many awards and honours, among them: The Life of Distinction Award from the Canadian Centre of Diversity, The Excellence in the Arts Award from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and the Woman of Distinction, President's Award from the YMCA. She is a recipient of the Governor General's Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award for Film. Most recently, in 2013, Deepa was appointed as an officer to the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honour, for her work as a "groundbreaking screenwriter, director, and producer." She is also a recipient of the province of Ontario's highest honour, the Order of Ontario.- Director
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Anusha is an Indian film director and screenwriter. Formerly a journalist, Anusha's directorial debut Peepli (Live) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2010 in the World Competition Section and was the first Indian film to be accepted in the 25 years of the festival's existence. The film was later nominated as India's official entry to the 83rd Academy Awards. Peepli (Live) won the Guild Award for Best Story, and the Best Film Award at the Durban Film festival. Anusha has also directed documentaries including Hijack IC-814 for National Geographic and Amul and Khadi for the BBC. She is currently developing an original series project with a leading Indian OTT platform.- Actress
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Asha Kelunni, better known by her stage name Revathi, is a highly acclaimed Indian actress and director, recognized for her significant contributions to Tamil and Malayalam cinema, as well as her notable presence in Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada films. Born in Cochin (present-day Kochi) to Malank Kelunni Nair, a major in the Indian Army, from Palakkad, and Lalitha Kelunni, Revathi began her journey in the entertainment industry with a chance encounter that would change her life.
During her school days, Revathi participated in a fashion show, and a photograph of her from the event became the cover of a popular Tamil magazine. This caught the attention of director Bharathiraja, who was in search of a new heroine for his film "Mann Vasanai." This marked the beginning of her acting career, and her debut in the Tamil film industry with "Mann Vasanai" in 1983 was a silver jubilee hit, earning her a Filmfare Special Award - South.
Revathi continued to make waves in the industry, making her Malayalam debut with "Kattathe Kilikkoodu" in 1983, which also achieved great success. She ventured into Telugu films with "Seethamma Pelli" in 1984 and gained recognition for her roles in films like "Kai Kodukkum Kai" (1984) and "Vaidehi Kathirunthal" (1984). Her breakthrough role came in Mani Ratnam's "Mouna Ragam" (1986), where she portrayed the spirited and headstrong Divya.
Known for her versatility, Revathi took on diverse roles and portrayed strong, relatable women characters. She achieved critical acclaim for her performances in films like "Punnagai Mannan" (1986), "Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal" (1988), and "Kizhakku Vaasal" (1990). Her remarkable acting skills were further recognized with a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress in "Thevar Magan" (1992).
In the early 1990s, Revathi continued to deliver hits such as "Kilukkam" (1991) and "Marupadiyum" (1993). Her success extended to Hindi cinema with films like "Love" (1991), and she won a National Film Award for her role in "Thevar Magan." Revathi's golden era persisted until the late 1990s, marked by notable films like "Anjali" (1990), "Magalir Mattum" (1994), and "Thalaimurai" (1998).
Apart from her acting prowess, Revathi showcased her directorial skills with two feature films, "Mitr, My Friend" and "Phir Milenge." She also contributed to anthology films like "Kerala Cafe" and the unreleased "Mumbai Cutting."
Revathi's talent transcended regional boundaries, and she captivated Hindi audiences with her performances in "Margarita with a Straw" (2014) and "2 States" (2014). Her notable Tamil films include "Pa Paandi" (2017) and "Jackpot" (2019), while her impactful role in the Malayalam film "Virus" (2019) showcased her continued excellence.
In 2022, Revathi received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her role in "Bhoothakaalam." She also portrayed Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's mother, Dhanalakshmi, in the bilingual Telugu and Hindi film "Major."
Revathi's journey in the film industry is not only marked by her acting prowess but also by her directorial achievements and her ability to contribute significantly to cinema across multiple languages. Her enduring legacy is a testament to her talent and versatility.- Director
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Born in Kolkata, Shonali is a writer, director and producer - she has an MA in Political Science from Columbia University and an MFA in Directing from UCLA Film School. She has written and directed three feature narrative films - Amu, Margarita with a Straw and The Sky is Pink. Amu, which was based on her own novel of the same name, explores the suppressed history of the genocidal attacks on Sikhs in Delhi in 1984; it had its world premier at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her next film, Margarita with a Straw, made waves for its unconventional portrayal of the self-discovery that uplifts the spirit of a rebellious young woman with cerebral palsy. Shonali's next feature, The Sky is Pink, starring Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar, is an adaptation of a best-selling novel. All three films had critically acclaimed theatrical releases in India and North America amongst many other countries and won major international awards (including at Sundance and TIFF where they premiered). The Sky is Pink was the only Asian film in the Gala section at TIFF. She has also previously been commissioned by Anonymous Content and Paramount Pictures to write the pilot and bible for a global series based on Diksha Basu's book 'The Windfall'. Shonali has directed one of the six films featuring Fatima Sana Shaikh in Amazon Prime's anthology series Modern Love: Mumbai. She is currently shooting for Amazon Original, The Notorious Girls of Miranda House, produced by Pritish Nandy Communications.- Director
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Aruna Raje first studied medicine at Grant College in Bombay but changed her career to cinema at FTII and graduated from there in 1969 at the age of 23 as one of India's first female film technicians.As an editor she teamed up with her husband Vikas Desai to make several realistic, critically acclaimed works.After they separated she continued to make movies that deal with issues of contemporary relevance: such as, women left behind by their husbands, mentally challenged children, sexual obsession, though she has several times had difficulty getting producers for her projects.- Director
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Kalpana Lajmi was an important figure in Indian feminist filmmaking who unfortunately had to cut short her career as a director after twenty years (1986-2006)to take care of her husband, the Assamese poet, singer and composer Bhupen Hazarika with whom she had partnered in production ..Daughter of painter Lalita Lajmi from whom she may have gotten some of her visual sense, the filmmaker met Bhupen, almost 30 years older, as a teenage psychology student in Bombay's St.Xavier's College, in 1971..After assisting several other directors and working on documentaries,she began to write some of her own scripts, which centered on independent heroines who were able to make their own life choices.- Actress
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Pooja was born on February 24, 1972 in the Gujarati-speaking Bhatt family. Her dad's name is Mahesh, and her mom's maiden name was Loraine Bright. After the marriage, her mother changed her name to Kiran Bhatt. Mahesh separated from Loraine and re-married Soni Razdan, an actress in her own right. The Bhatts live in Bandra, Bombay.
She has two step-sisters Alia and Shaheen; and one biological brother Rahul. Noted Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi and Film Director, Mohit Suri, are her cousins.
Her uncle, late Balwant Bhatt, and grandfather, late Nanabhai Bhatt, both on the paternal side, were popular Bollywood movie directors.
Pooja made a debut with her dad's production 'Daddy' when she was just 17 years old. She plays the estranged daughter of an alcoholic father, played by Anupam Kher.
She shot into fame with 'Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin', opposite Aamir Khan. In this movie too she plays the daughter of Anupam Kher. The movie, along with most of its songs, did well at the box office. She was also appreciated in 'Zakhm' and 'Sadak'. Her acting career spanned from 1989 through to the year 2001.
She married her long-time boyfriend, Munish Makhija, who is also known as Udham Singh, a host of Channel V and owner of a restaurant in Goa, during the year 2003.
Slender & good-looking, this Piscean has launched her very own production company 'Pooja Bhatt Productions' during 1996 and released 'Tamanna' under its banner. The off-beat story is about an orphan brought up by an eunuch. Unfortunately, this movie did not too well at the box office.
She has also appeared in a documentary titled 'Sunset Bollywood (2005)' in which she talks about yesteryear heart-throb Rahul Roy.
Feisty Pooja continues to produce and direct movies as well as make appearances on the small screen, especially Zee TV's 'Anthakshari', with hopes of encouraging talented youngsters.- Director
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Born to an Indian Army General in Madhya Pradesh, she graduated with Economics honours from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi. She did Mass Communications from Sophia College, Mumbai. She is married to Aseem Bajaj, an Indian Cinematographer well known for his poetic imagery on films like Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi, Shabd, Teen Patti, U Me Aur Hum and Chameli to name a few. She met Aseem while directing her first TV show This Week That Year.- Actress
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Born in 1892 and living a long time, until 1983, Fatma Begum spent only 16 years of that 91 year span working in film, but made a big impact as the first woman to direct a movie in India, in 1926.She was also an actress and a writer and founder of a production company, and came from a background in the Urdu language theater, her family of Muslim background having spoken that tongue.Three daughters later became actresses in their own right.- Actress
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Leela Chitnis was born on 9 September 1909 in Dharwad, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress and director, known for Kangan (1939), Sadhna (1958) and Chhaya (1936). She was married to Dr. Gajanan Yeshwant Chitnis. She died on 14 July 2003 in Danbury, Connecticut, USA.- Actress
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Kangana was born on 23 March 1987 in Bhambla, near Manali, which is in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Her dad Amardeep is a businessman and her mom Asha is a schoolteacher. She has two sisters and a younger brother. Her grandfather was an IAS Office. She spent her childhood in Dehra Dunand studied in DAV's High School, where she participated in many debates and elocutions and also played basketball.
After completing her schooling, she attended Science College in Simla. She was enrolled in the Elite School of Modeling and also tried theater acting in Delhi and was a member of the Smita Theater Group under Arvind Gaur. She is also a trained Kathak dancer.
She decided to relocate to Bombay and lived in a flat in Yari Road, Versova. In September 2005 she was spotted drinking coffee in a cafe by filmmaker Anurag Basu, who approached her and eventually signed her for a lead role in Gangster (2006).
Since then, Kangana Ranaut has won 4 National Awards for her performance in _Fashion (2008)_qv, _Queen (2014)_qv, and _Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)_qv. Manikarnika(2019) Panga (2019).- Director
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Meghna Gulzar was born on 13 December 1973 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. She is a director and writer, known for Raazi (2018), Talvar (2015) and Chhapaak (2020).