Even a few years ago, directors of mainstream Bollywood movies were part of an all-male club. Today, there are several celebrated female directors who are changing the way we produce content. Not only are women proving that they’re the better storytellers, they’re paving the way for the future. Here are a few films directed by women that are a reflection of sheer talent and superior thought process.
1. ‘Raazi’ by Meghna Gulzar
To be able to direct a gripping spy thriller in Bollywood is a talent not many directors have. However, Meghna changed that for us. The film follows the life of Sehmat, the daughter of a RAW agent who, upon the request of her father, gets married into a family of influential Pakistani military officers. All of this is in the context of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.
Alia Bhatt’s character development in the movie is unmatched. She brings a naive, trusting energy that was absolutely needed for this role. Only under a great director can you bring out this balance between subtlety and power.
2. ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ by Zoya Akhtar
What hasn’t been said about this 2011 classic? Zoya’s understanding of uber-privileged, urban millennials, and their passions and motivations is not something that a lot of other directors can bring to the table. The way the story progresses, especially with the subplots of each character, reflects Zoya’s superior emotional intelligence.
3. ‘Luck By Chance’ by Zoya Akhtar
While ZNMD is one of Zoya’s most watched films, Luck By Chance is the real deal. The movie follows the journey of Vikram, a Mumbai-newbie with big dreams of making it in Bollywood. This is one of my most recommended movies from the 2000s as it gives you a very authentic picture of the industry.
4. ‘Dear Zindagi’ by Gauri Shinde
There aren’t many films that speak so openly about mental health the way Dear Zindagi does. Gauri has categorically said, “‘Dear Zindagi’ is a deeply personal film. There is only one thing it borrows from, that's my life,” which is a refreshing change from the usual love stories we are peddled every year. We loved the candidness of this movie and the conversational tone the film uses to bring us closer to the characters.
5. ‘A Death In The Gunj’ by Konkona Sen Sharma
Konkona comes from a lineage of exceptional directors so how could she not have produced a gem? The movie navigates through the life of its central character, Shotu, amongst grief, loneliness and death. It’s an insightful movie with elements of suspense and dark humour.
6. ‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ by Alankrita Shrivastava
The 42-year-old director has been making waves with her cinema in the past couple of years. This film too is one of her finer pieces. Being able to bring so many diverse narratives together and the ability to tie them through the experience of womanhood is a complex task. However, she pulls it off exceptionally well.
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