Published By: Nirtika Pandita

Bollywood female directors to look out for

A number of female directors are belting out impressive narrations

After Fatma Begum, star of silent films became the first women director with 1926 Bulbul-e-Paristan, our Indian film industry has evolved tremendously giving us an array of female directors. But more often than not, with the prevailing patriarchal structure, their recognition and appreciation remains due.

Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari Known for her female-centric films addressing women’s issues, Ashwiny in her debut film Nil Battey Sannata highlighted the plight of a mother wanting to educate her daughter. And her last film Panga focused on a former Kabaddi player looking to reclaim her lost glory.

AlankritaShrivastava A woman in her 20s working as an assistant director with Prakash Jha learning the ropes of direction, Alankrita Shrivastava broke the glass ceiling in the film industry with Lipstick Under My Burkha narrating the plight of women in India. The film got global recognition as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

Shonali Bose As someone with a theatre background, Bose’s narrations evoke emotions with every changing frame. Keeping intact the simplicity of characters and background, her films mainly talk about the lives of women. Her movies like Amu and Margherita with a Straw have won international awards. Her recent film, The Sky is Pink featuring FarhanAkhtar and Priyanka Chopra Jonas was an emotional riot.

Gauri Shinde A director focused on bringing to life the most neglected stories like that of a mother trying to live with dignity and earn her family’s respect in English Vinglish, to Dear Zindagi talking about mental health.

Meghna Gulzar The daughter of legendary lyricist Gulzar, Meghna has critically acclaimed films like Talvar, Raazi, and Chhapaak, to name a few, to her credit. Her compelling narratives highlight the problems faced by every woman, with an empathetic narrative approach to the story.

Konkona Sen Sharma A well-known actress, Konkana is just one film old - A Death in the Gunj - but has been hailed for her direction. Her nuanced storytelling style depicted a dysfunctional family and touched upon topics like toxic masculinity, infidelity, and messy family dynamics.

Zoya Akhtar Writer-director, Akhtar is a celebrated name of Indian cinema. Her debut film Luck By Chance showcased a poignant behind-the-scenes of Bollywood, followed by Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do, leaving the audience in awe of her storytelling. Her latest directorial, Gully Boy, was an Oscar entrant, was loved and appreciated for its simplistic narration of a young rapper from Mumbai slums who breaks through the rap scene. In fact, Luck By Chance is listed by BBC’s 100 greatest films by female directors. She also made her digital debut with web-series Made In Heaven.

The Bollywood is witnessing many firsts, and one of them is an army of female directors to look out for, producing and directing masterpieces.