Top 10 Female Indian Directors of All Time

Women are not less than men in any field nowadays. They have proved themselves in every aspect of life and made the world proud of their achievements. In Bollywood, female were less prominent than males for a long time. But now the equation has changed, and female have excelled at every step of film-making. Several female directors have emerged who make great films at par with their male equals. They have made India proud. (Top 10 Female Indian Directors)

Here is the list of 10 top Female Indian Directors of all time

1.Mira Nair:

Mira Nair is an Indian film director who makes films for the international market. Her films target the social field of life and have important dimensions. She has made several critically acclaimed films through the span of her career. Her films often win awards at the international circuit and become memorable. Her directorial ventures are Salaam Bombay!, My Own Country, Mississippi Masala, Monsoon Wedding,  Vanity Fair, Amelia, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, etc.

2.Deepa Mehta

Deepa Mehta is one of India’s finest film directors. She has made several hard-hitting films, mostly about social issues. Her Elements Trilogy which included the three films, Fire, Earth, and Water became critically acclaimed throughout the world. She has also directed many English movies and episodes of television serials. Some of her other movies are Camilla, Bollywood/Hollywood, The Republic of Love, Heaven on Earth, Beeba Boys etc. Deepa Mehta has received many awards from India, Canada, and many other countries for her work.

3.Gauri Sinde:

Gauri Shinde is an Indian film director who started her career as an ad-film maker. After making numerous ads and short films, she progress into Bollywood. Her first movie English Vinglish, starring Sridevi, was about a middle-aged woman struggling to learn English to gain the respect of her children and discover a new aspect of herself. The movie was widely appreciated in India. Dear Zindagi was her second film, and it starred Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan It taught several important life lessons to the viewers. Gauri is known for making realistic and meaningful films.

4.Zoya Akhtar:

Zoya Akhtar is lyricist Javed Akhtar’s daughter and actor-director Farhan Akhtar’s sister. She has made a name for herself as a film director by making some great films in recent years. Zoya’s films have a unique element and spirit in them. She has directed films like Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Bombay Talkies, and Dil Dhadkne Do. Most of her films have become critical and commercial hits. She is now one of the best directors in Bollywood.

5.Kiran Rao:

Aamir Khan’s wife, Kiran Rao, is a well-known film director in Bollywood. She has worked as an assistant director in several films like Lagaan, Swades; We. The People, Monsoon Wedding, etc. She has also produced quite a few films like Peepli Live, Delhi Belly, Talaash, Ship of Theseus, Dangal, etc. She made her directorial debut with the film Dhobi Ghat. The film is about the journey of a few characters living in Mumbai and dealing with their individual life issues. The film was critically appreciated and cheers.

6.Reema Kagti:

Reema Kagti is a Bollywood director and screenwriter. She has been known for working intensively with Zoya Akhtar as a writer. Reema has also directed Bollywood films which have gone on to become successful. Before becoming a director, she has worked as an assistant director, story writer, and screenplay writer. The movies that she has directed are Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., and Talaash: The Answer Lies Within. Both the films have been liked and appreciated by the audience.

7.Pooja Bhatt:

Pooja Bhatt is a famous Bollywood actress and director. She has acted in several films throughout her career span. After making a name as a popular actress, Bhatt started directing films. She is now a full-time director and producer. She debuted as a director with the film Paap, starring John Abraham and Udita Goswami. The movie was critically acclaimed. Her directorial travel include Holiday, Dhokha, Kajraare.

8.Farah Khan:

Farah Khan is one of Bollywood’s best and most successful female commercial directors. She has tasted great success with her fun and entertaining movies. She is a well-known choreographer in Bollywood and started direction later in her career. She is also a producer and an actress. Her debut directorial venture, Main Hoon Na, was a huge hit. She then directed films like Om Shanti Om, Happy New Year, and Tees Maar Khan. Her collaborations with superstar Shah Rukh Khan have proved huge audience favorites.

9.Shonali Bose:

Shonali Bose is a director, producer, and screenwriter in India. Hailing from Kolkata, Shonali has worked nationally in theater and films. Her directorial debut, Amu, starring KonKona Sen Sharma, was a very popular and critically acclaimed film. She next made the film, Margarita with a Straw which starred Kalki Koechlin, Revathi, and Sayani Gupta. The movie won several awards and accolades on international platforms and was very much appreciated in India as well for describe the life of a girl having deep disease.

10.Divya Khosla Kumar:

This beautiful, young director is also an actress in Bollywood. She has acted in the film Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo. She has appeared in quite a few music videos and also worked as a choreographer. After getting married to Bhusan Kumar, she became a film director as well. She has made two films yet. Her first directorial venture was Yaariyan, which was a hit due to its music and youth-based theme. Her next film, Sanam Re, was a passionate love story. It also had great music and became a commercial hit.

So, What you think about these female directors and who's your favourite one?

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