International Women's day 2020: Female directors who changed the face of Indian cinema

Gauri Shinde

With only two films (English Vinglish, Dear Zindagi) in her career as a director, Gauri Shinde is an extraordinary woman. She made her debut with English Vinglish which was the late actress Sridevi’s comeback onscreen. The film is still considered as one of the top celluloids with a woman in the lead. And with Dear5 Zindagi she touched a topic which no filmmaker ever thought of that is 'mental health'.

Farah Khan

Farah Khan, best known as a Bollywood choreographer, has given many great films to the industry as a director. Farah Khan has directed 'Main Hoon Na' (2004), 'Om Shanti Om' (2007) and 'Happy New Year' ( 2014).

Reema Kagti

Reema has worked as an assistant director for films like Lagaan and Dil Chahta Hai. As a director she made her debut with the multi-starrer Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. She further received recognition for her film Talaash: The Answer Lies Within featuring Aamir Khan which was also a hit.

Zoya Akhtar

Zoya is considered to be one of the most appreciated film director and writer. Her directorial debut 'Luck By Chance' was well received by the critics and was considered much ahead of its time. She delivered 'Gully Boy' starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt which is her one of the most successful films after Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

Ashwiny's directorial debut was Nil Battey Sannata which was a terrific film. After that she gave a hit film Bareilly Ki Barfi and the recent hit of Kangana Ranaut starrer Panga. Her films revolve around small town narratives and often tries to put reality unfiltered onscreen.

Alankrita Shrivastava

Alankrita is an independent Indian filmmaker who made her debut with Turning 30!!!, however, it was the critically acclaimed Lipstick Under My Burkha that gave her the recognition she deserved.

Nandita Das

Nandita Das is an all-rounder. She has starred in all kinds of films across the globe. Be it regional cinema or mainstream flicks, she is one powerful woman who has been true to her profession. Her recent achievement was as the filmmaker for Manto, which is the biographical drama film about the famous Urdu author Saadat Hasan Manto.

Meghna Gulzar

Meghna Gulzar is a filmmaker who has explored diverse subjects, and scores high when to comes to the emotional quotient in cinema. She has revamped the standards of filmmaking with real topics in the said film and others such as Talvar. Her recent film Chhapaak starring Deepika Padukone based on real life acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal was appreciated by the audiences.

Deepa Mehta

Best known for her film on elements trilogy – Fire, Earth, and Water, Deepa has used worked with narratives that touch upon topics ranging from homosexuality to patriarchy, to communal strife, to misogyny, to ill-treatment of widows. She has received numerous awards and accolades over the years including an Oscar nomination.

Aparna Sen

Aparna Sen is a National Awarding winning actor, filmmaker and screenwriter who is popularly known for her work in Bengali cinema. She made her directorial debut with 36 Chowringhee Lane, produced by Shashi Kapoor. She achieved consistent success with path-breaking films like Sati, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, 15 Park Avenue and The Japanese Wife to name a few.