BEST DIRECTORS IN INDIA

by Blockbusters2020 | created - 06 Dec 2020 | updated - 24 Mar 2021 | Public

1. Satyajit Ray

Writer | Pather Panchali

Satyajit Ray was born in Calcutta on May 2, 1921. His father, Late Sukumar Ray was an eminent poet and writer in the history of Bengali literature. In 1940, after receiving his degree in science and economics from Calcutta University, he attended Tagore's Viswa-Bharati University. His first movie ...

2. Mani Ratnam

Writer | Dil Se..

The man who revolutionized Tamil-language cinema, Mani Ratnam is the biggest director in south India and one of the most respected directors in all of India. Each of his films contain its own unique style, with beautifully photographed songs and unique back-lighting. However, his films contain ...

3. Anurag Kashyap

Producer | Gangs of Wasseypur

Anurag Singh Kashyap (born 10 September 1972) is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter. Kashyap made his directorial debut with as yet unreleased Paanch, with Kay Kay Menon as the lead. As a filmmaker, he is known for Black Friday (2004), a controversial and award-winning Hindi film ...

4. Farhan Akhtar

Producer | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

An accomplished and award-winning producer-director-writer-actor-singer, Farhan Akhtar is the ultimate Bollywood multi-hyphenate. Born in 1974 to prolific Indian film writer and poet, Javed Akhtar and writer-director, Honey Irani , Farhan was raised in an environment where creativity and ...

5. Zoya Akhtar

Writer | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

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 ...

6. Sudha Kongara

Writer | Soorarai Pottru

Sudha Kongara was born on March 29, 1989 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. She is a writer and director, known for Soorarai Pottru (2020), Irudhi Suttru (2016) and Guru (2017).

7. I.V. Sasi

Director | Eeta

I.V. Sasi was born on March 28, 1948 in Kerala, British India [now India]. He was a director and writer, known for Eeta (1978), Itha Ivide Vare (1977) and Karimpin Poovinakkare (1985). He was married to Seema. He died on October 24, 2017 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

8. Jeethu Joseph

Writer | Drishyam

Jeethu Joseph is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. He has also worked in a few Tamil and Bollywood films. Jeethu made his directional debut with the 2007 police procedural film Detective and later went on to direct five successful films...

9. Priyadarshan

Director | Oppam

Priyadarshan is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has worked in the Hindi and Malayalam film industry for almost 40 years and has directed over 90 films.

He completed his early education at Government Model School in Thiruvananthapuram. He later pursued his bachelor's degree from Mahatma ...

10. Alphonse Puthren

Writer | Neram

Alphonse Puthren is a film director, producer, and writer from India. He is primarily known for his work in the Malayali film industry and is renowned for his unique style of storytelling. He has been involved in directing, producing, acting, editing, and ad filmmaking.

He completed his elementary ...

11. Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Director | Mathilukal

Adoor Gopalakrishnan is India's most acclaimed contemporary filmmaker. Born in 1941 in Kerala, a state in south India, he belongs to a family with strong links to the performing arts, especially Kathakali, a highly-stylised form of dance drama. From the age of eight Adoor began acting for the stage...

12. Ram Gopal Varma

Director | Rangeela

Ram Gopal Varma was born in Hyderabad, the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. He initially was a video store owner before eventually becoming one of India's leading film directors. A film buff during his youth, Varma would watch both American and Indian cinema regularly. As a young...

13. Prakash Jha

Director | Gangaajal

Prakash Jha is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter who is primarily known for his socially and politically relevant films like Apaharan (2005), Aarakshan (2011), and Raajneeti (2010), among others.

Jha went to Sainik School Tilaya in his hometown of Bettiah in Bihar, India. After ...

14. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Producer | Rang De Basanti

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is a director, writer and producer who established Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Pictures (Romp) in India. Romp has cultivated in them an attitude to pioneer the way for the new wave and new age cinema from India, by identifying talent (writers & directors) from India and telling ...

15. Rajkumar Hirani

Writer | PK

Rajkumar Hirani is an Indian film director and editor. Hirani has directed five Hindi films, including Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munnabhai, 3 Idiots, PK and Sanju, and all of which have been commercial and critical successes. Most of which have won several awards, including the national awards...

16. Anjali Menon

Writer | Bangalore Days

Anjali is a leading Indian film director and screenwriter. She completed her post-graduate degree from London Film School with honors in editing, producing, and directing film; her graduation film Black Nor White premiered at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and received the BFI award ...

17. Yash Chopra

Producer | Veer-Zaara

Labeled the eternal romantic and with one of the best musical senses in the business, Yash Chopra is arguably India's most successful director of romantic films. Although he made action-oriented films like the ever-popular Deewaar (1975), it is in tackling love and its various aspects that he has ...

18. Mrinal Sen

Director | Chorus

Sen is one of his nation's most politically active filmakers. After having studied physics at university in Calcutta, Sen worked as a freelance journalist, a salesman of patent medicines and a sound technician in a film studio. In the mid-1940s he joined the Indian People's Theatre Association and ...

19. Aparna Sen

Director | Mr. and Mrs. Iyer

Aparna Sen is a renowned name in Bengali as well as Indian cinema. She has excelled both as an actor in film and theatre and as a director of parallel cinema.

Aparna was born in 1945 in Kolkata. Her father is film critic and film maker Late Chidananda Das Gupta. She studied at Modern High School and...

20. Dibakar Banerjee

Director | Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!

Dibakar Banerjee was born on June 21, 1969 in New Delhi, India. He is a director and writer, known for Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015), Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (2021) and Shanghai (2012).

21. P. Padmarajan

Writer | Aparan

P. Padmarajan was an Indian author, screenwriter, and film director who was known for his landmark works in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema. Padmarajan was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam, along with Bharathan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely ...

22. Bharathan

Director | Thevar Magan

Bharathan was born on November 14, 1947 in Vadakkancheri, Trichur, Kerala, British India. He was a director and art director, known for Thevar Magan (1992), Prayanam (1975) and Thakara (1979). He was married to K.P.A.C. Lalitha. He died on July 29, 1998 in Madras, Tamil Nadu, India.

23. Mysskin

Writer | Anjathe

Mysskin is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He made his directorial debut in 2006 with Chithiram Pesuthadi. His other directorials Anjathe and Nandalala received high critical acclaim. He has also proved his acting skills by starring as a mentally challenged person in Nandalala.

Mysskin ...

24. S. Shankar

Writer | Enthiran

Shankar is an Indian film director and producer who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He started his career as an assistant director to SA Chandrasekar and now he is the highest paid director in the country. He made his debut in Gentleman (1993) and since 2015 he has directed 12 movies. He won the ...

25. Ashutosh Gowariker

Writer | Swades: We, the People

His passion for cinema immediately draws your attention, making you realize that Ashutosh Gowariker would not have been anywhere except behind the camera, however tempting the choice. An actor who took to film direction after almost a decade in front of the camera, Ashutosh has acted in Hindi films...

26. Bala

Writer | Sethu

Bala was born on July 11, 1966 in Theni, Tamil Nadu, India. He is a writer and director, known for Sethu (1999), Paradesi (2013) and Naan Kadavul (2009). He is married to Muthumalar.

27. Lokesh Kanagaraj

Writer | Master

Lokesh Kanagaraj is an Indian film director who works primarily in the Tamil film industry who started his film career with the 2016 anthology film called Aviyal.He was born in Kinathukadavu, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India. He majored in fashion technology before pursuing his MBA. He was an ex bank ...

28. Karthik Subbaraj

Writer | Pizza

Karthik Subbaraj is an Indian film director. He started his career working as a software engineer in Bangalore working for Infosys. During this period he got interested in film making. He learnt the basics of film making, during a one-day workshop run by Sanjay Nambiar. He made a short film "...

29. Vikas Bahl

Writer | Queen

Vikas Bahl is an Indian film producer, screenwriter, and director, know for his works predominantly in Hindi Cinema. He produces films under Phantom Films, and was the former head of UTV Spot Boy. One of the most respected Media Executives India has seen, headed the Marketing for Radio Mirchi and ...

30. S.S. Rajamouli

Writer | Bãhubali 2: The Conclusion

S.S.Rajamouli is an Indian filmmaker who primarily works in Telugu cinema. He is one of the most celebrated filmmakers ever of the Indian film industry and pioneered the Pan-Indian films movement. Rajamouli was born in a Telugu family to V. Vijayendra Prasad and Raja Nandini. Both his parents hail ...

31. Vetrimaaran

Writer | Asuran

Vetrimaaran is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film producer, who works in the Tamil film industry. Vetrimaaran made his directorial debut with the Polladhavan. His second feature film Aadukalam won six National Film Awards. He produces films under his production company, Grass Root Film ...

32. Vikramaditya Motwane

Director | Udaan

Vikramaditya Motwane is a writer, director and producer (unfortunately not always in that order) and a partner in Phantom Films with Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl and Madhu Mantena. His directorial debut Udaan (2010) was selected to compete in the 'Un Certain Regard' category at the 2010 Cannes Film ...

33. Sujoy Ghosh

Writer | Kahaani

Born on 21st May 1966 in Kolkata, Sujoy Ghosh is an Indian film writer, director, actor and producer who is well known for his critically acclaimed movies like Jhankar Beats, Kahaani, Ahalya and Badla.

The film maker started the trend of multiplex movies in Bollywood with his directorial debut ...

34. K. Balachander

Writer | Ek Duuje Ke Liye

K. Balachander was born on July 9, 1930 in Nannilam, Madras Presidency, British India. He was a writer and director, known for Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Thaneer Thaneer (1981) and Apoorva Raagangal (1975). He was married to Rajam. He died on December 23, 2014 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

35. Shaji N. Karun

Director | Piravi

Shaji Neelakantan Karun was born on new years day 1950 as the eldest son of Mr. N. Karunakaran and Mrs. Chandramati in Kollam district of the state of Kerala, India. The family moved to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state in 1963. He did his schooling in Palkkulangara H.S., and took a ...

36. Kamal Haasan

Actor | Vishwaroopam

Kamal Haasan was born November 7, 1954 in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu. He debuted as a child artiste in the film "Kalathoor Kannamma" (1960). Since then, he has starred in nearly 220 films in the major Indian languages - Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. He has been a...

37. Gautham Vasudev Menon

Actor | Vaaranam Aayiram

Gautham Vasudev Menon (born 25 February 1973), also known as GVM, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He has also directed Telugu and Hindi films, which are remakes of his own Tamil films. Many of his films have been critically acclaimed, ...

39. Lal Jose

Director | Diamond Necklace

Lal Jose, a proficient Indian film maker, was born in Valapad in Thrissur district, Kerala to Jose and Lilly. Later the family moved to Ottapalam owing to personal commitments. Lal Jose did his schooling at NSS KPT School and NSS College Ottapalam. He is married to Leena. The couple has two ...

40. Sreenivasan

Actor | Sandesham

Sreenivasan was born on April 6, 1956 in Kannur, Kerala, India. He is an actor and writer, known for Sandesham (1991), Vadakkunokkiyantram (1989) and Akkare Akkare Akkare (1990).

41. Vineeth Sreenivasan

Music_department | Hridayam

Vineeth Sreenivasan was born on October 1, 1985 in Kerala, India. He is a music artist and actor, known for Hridayam (2022), Premam (2015) and Aravindante Athidhikal (2018).

42. Kamal

Director | Celluloid

Kamal was born on November 28, 1957 in Thrissur, Kerala, India. He is a director and writer, known for Celluloid (2013), Megamalhar (2001) and Nammal (2002). He is married to Saburabi. They have two children.

43. T. Hariharan

Director | Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja

Hariharan entered the Malayalam film industry in 1965, and has so far directed more than 60 films, many of which were highly successful both commercially and critically. His movies have mostly explored the complexities of social issues and human relationships, set in the backdrop of Kerala's rich ...

44. A.K. Lohithadas

Writer | Thaniyavartanam

A.K. Lohithadas was born on May 10, 1955 in Chalakudy, Kerala, India. He was a writer and director, known for Thaniyavartanam (1987), Kasthuriman (2003) and Joker (2000). He was married to Sindhu. He died on June 28, 2009 in Kochi, Kerala, India.

45. Joshiy

Director | Thanthram

Joshiy was born on July 19, 1952 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. He is a director, known for Thanthram (1988), Naduvaazhikal (1989) and Lion (2006). He is married to Sindhu.

46. Rosshan Andrrews

Director | Kayamkulam Kochunni

Rosshan Andrrews was born on January 6, 1975 in Kerala, India. He is a director and writer, known for Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018), 36 Vayadhinile (2015) and The Pirates of Diego Garcia. He is married to Ancy Joseph.

47. Siddique

Writer | Bodyguard

Siddique was born on October 1, 1962 in Kochi, Kerala, India. He was a writer and director, known for Bodyguard (2011), Hera Pheri (2000) and Big Brother (2020). He was married to Seena. He died on August 8, 2023 in Kochi, Kerala, India.

48. Dileesh Pothan

Actor | Joji

Dileesh Pothan is a path-breaking Indian director, producer and actor from Malayalam cinema. Pothan began his career as an associate director on the 2010 film 9 KK Road, and went on to be an assistant director with producer-director Aashiq Abu for five films. He also made his acting debut with a ...

49. Anwar Rasheed

Director | Ustad Hotel

Anwar Rasheed was born on March 19, 1976 in Kerala, India. He is an assistant director and director, known for Ustad Hotel (2012), Bangalore Days (2014) and Kerala Cafe (2009).

50. Geethu Mohandas

Writer | Liar's Dice

Geetu Mohandas formed her film production house- Unplugged in 2009 which produced her directorial debut short fiction film titled "Are You Listening?" The film premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and subsequently won 3 International awards as well as the National Film Award in ...

51. Rajeev Ravi

Cinematographer | Dev.D

Rajeev Ravi is an Indian cinematographer. A 1997 graduate from FTII, Pune, he has worked with director Anurag Kashyap several times. He has operated the camera for many Hindi films as well as Malayalam films. He first assisted in the Malayalam film, Pranayavarnangal. His first independent work is ...

52. Madhupal

Director | Thalappavu

Madhupal is known for Thalappavu (2008), Oru Kuprasidha Payyan (2018) and Crossroad (2017). He has been married to Rekha Vasumathi since September 27, 1990. They have two children.

53. Joy Mathew

Actor | Shutter

Joy Mathew was born on September 20, 1961. He is an actor and writer, known for Shutter (2012), Uncle (2018) and Drishyam 2 (2021).

54. Cochin Hanifa

Actor | Enthiran

Cochin Hanifa was born on April 22, 1951 in Kochi, Travancore-Cochin, India. He was an actor and writer, known for Enthiran (2010), Paasa Paravaigal (1988) and Moonnu Masangalkku Munpu (1986). He was married to Fasila. He died on February 2, 2010 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

55. Bharathiraja

Director | Karuththamma

The die-hard romantic Bharathiraja was born in Alli Nagaram, a small, sylvan village near Theni as Chinnasamy on 17 July 1941. He was the fifth child to his parents, Periya Maya Thevar and Meenatchiammaal alias Karuthammaal. His childhood passions were deer hunting and literature. As a full-blooded...

56. Balachandra Menon

Actor | Samantharangal

Balachandra Menon was born on January 11, 1954 in Kerala, British India. He is an actor and writer, known for Samantharangal (1998), Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki (1985) and Vivahitare Itihile (1986).

57. Dhanush

Actor | Raanjhanaa

Venkatesh Prabhu known by his stage name Dhanush, is an Indian film actor, producer, lyricist and playback singer who has worked predominantly in Tamil cinema. In 2011, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the Tamil film "Aadukalam" and in the same year, he received international ...

58. S.P. Muthuraman

Director | Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu

S.P. Muthuraman was born on April 7, 1935 in Karaikkudi, Tamil Nadu, India. He is a director and assistant director, known for Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu (1976), Engeyo Ketta Kural (1982) and Aarilirindhu Aruvathu Varai (1979).

59. Nassar

Actor | Bãhubali 2: The Conclusion

Nassar is one of the most acclaimed actors in India. He is the current president of South Indian Actors Association. Nassar is well known for Thevar Magan (1992), Bombay (1995), Anbe Sivam (2003) and Nayakan (1987).

Nassar was born on 5 March 1958 to Mehaboob Basha and Mumtaz in Chengalpattu, Tamil ...

60. Singeetam Srinivasa Rao

Director | Pushpaka Vimana

Singeetam Srinivasa Rao was born on September 21, 1931 in Udayagiri, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India. He is a director and writer, known for Pushpaka Vimana (1987), Mayuri (1984) and Little John (2001).

61. Santosh Sivan

Cinematographer | Asoka

Santosh Sivan was born on February 8, 1964 in India. He is a cinematographer and director, known for Asoka (2001), Halo (1996) and The Terrorist (1998).

62. Aamir Khan

Actor | Taare Zameen Par

Aamir Khan was born on March 14, 1965 in Mumbai. He is one of the most successful Indian Bollywood actors who is also known as "Mr. Perfectionist of Bollywood". With his recent successes in both the Indian and Chinese film markets, he has shouldered his way into becoming one of the world's biggest ...

63. Rajkumar Santoshi

Writer | Andaz Apna Apna

Rajkumar Santoshi is an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter of Hindi films. Counted as one of the most successful filmmakers in the Hindi film industry, he has received several accolades,including three National Film Awards and six Filmfare Awards.

Santoshi made his directorial debut ...

64. Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Producer | Bajirao Mastani

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is among the most celebrated Film Makers of the Bollywood. Having worked with the biggest stars of Indian Film Industry, Bhansali is the most sought-for director of the Bollywood. He started his career as an assistant director to Vidhu Vinod Chopra. If one has to name his '...

65. Neeraj Pandey

Writer | A Wednesday

Neeraj Pandey (born 17 December 1973) is an acclaimed Indian film director, producer and screenwriter. In his first movie A Wednesday, his work was largely praised by audiences as well as the critics. A Wednesday also won many awards in different categories. His second film Special 26 (2013) was ...

66. Nitesh Tiwari

Writer | Dangal

Nitesh Tiwari is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and lyricist. He was born and raised in Tiwari family at Itaasi, Madhya Pradesh. He graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, in 1996 with a Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy and Material Science Engineering. He is married to ...

67. Reema Kagti

Writer | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

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 ...

68. A.R. Murugadoss

Writer | Ghajini

Murugadoss Arunasalam, commonly known by his stage name AR Murugadoss, is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter who predominantly works in the Tamil Film Industry. He is best known for his action Tamil films and Telugu films and for remaking them in Hindi cinema. Murugadoss won the ...

69. Aanand L. Rai

Producer | Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Aanand L. Rai is a Hindi film director and producer known for romantic-comedy movies Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Raanjhanaa (2013), Tanu Weds Manu: Returns (2015) and Zero (2018). Rai started assisting his elder brother television director Ravi Rai in television series. Eventually he made his ...

70. R. Balki

Writer | Paa

R. Balakrishnan, also known as Balki, is a prominent Indian filmmaker and screenwriter known for his unconventional storytelling style.

After completing his education, Balki began his career in advertising and made his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film Cheeni Kum (2007) in 2007. ...

71. Gauri Shinde

Director | English Vinglish

Gauri Shinde was born on July 6, 1974 in Pune, Maharashtra, India. She is a director and writer, known for English Vinglish (2012), Dear Zindagi (2016) and Chup (2022).

72. Shimit Amin

Director | Chak De! India

Born in Kampala, Uganda, Shimit Amin moved to the USA at a very young age and soon pursued filmmaking. He made his first film, "Ab Tak Chappan" (56 and Counting) about a group of Mumbai cops who became notorious with their license to kill.

His second film, "Chak De India" (Let's go India!), produced...

73. Nasir Hussain

Actor | Devdas

Nazir Hussain was concerned with the Indian film and multimedia.He was born in Usian village near Dildarnagar , famous character hero at his time. He was earlier associated with the Azad Hind Fauz set up by Subhas Chandra Bose. He established the "Kamsaar Film" , under the banner of which many hit ...

74. K. Viswanath

Writer | Sagara Sangamam

K. Viswanath was born on February 19, 1930 in Peddapulivarru, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was a writer and director, known for Sagara Sangamam (1983), Sutradhaarulu (1990) and Sruthilayalu (1987). He was married to Kasinadhuni Jayalakshmi. He died on February 2, 2023 in Hyderabad, ...

75. Sukumar

Writer | Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1

Bandreddi Sukumar, popularly known as Sukumar, is a screenwriter, film director, and producer of Telugu films.

Sukumar was born to Tirupathi Rao Naidu, a rice trader, and Veera Veni, a homemaker. He studied at a Zilla Parishad High School in Razole in Andhra Pradesh. He went on to complete his ...

76. Chandra Sekhar Yeleti

Writer | Aithe

Chandrasekhar Yeleti is a film maker working prominently in Telugu film industry. He is well-known for his original and highly creative concepts contrary to his peers. He started his career shooting 'Janmabhoomi' ads for the state government of Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with K. Raghavendra ...

77. Surender Reddy

Director | Race Gurram

Surender Reddy is an Telugu Film director who made his directorial debut with Athanokkade movie. His noted films are Kick starring Ravi Teja , Ileana D'Cruz and Race Gurram starring Allu Arjun and Shruti Haasan. All the films he directed except for Athanokkade are the stories written by Vakkantham ...

78. Koratala Siva

Writer | Janatha Garage

Koratala Siva was born on June 15, 1975 in Andhra Pradesh, India. He is a writer and director, known for Janatha Garage (2016), Srimanthudu (2015) and Mirchi (2013).

79. Cheran

Actor | Autograph

Cheran was born on December 12, 1970 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. He is an actor and writer, known for Autograph (2004), Porkkalam (1998) and Thavamai Thavamiruntu (2005). He is married to Selvarani.

80. Prakash Raj

Actor | Anniyan

Prakash Raj is an established actor, producer, director, and television presenter in the Indian film industry. He is known for his works in South Indian and Hindi films.

Starting in the early 90s, he went on to appear in about 400 films. He has received several awards and accolades in his career, ...

81. Lijo Jose Pellissery

Director | Jallikattu

Lijo Jose Pellissery is an Indian actor and filmmaker who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for his nonlinear storylines and unconventional approach to directing films.

Pellissery earned his Master's degree in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of ...



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