Bollywood has long been viewed as a boys’ club, especially among directors. Then along came a handful of female directors that shattered any preconceived notions about the critical and commercial viability of women as directors, and Bollywood has never looked back since. This issue, we look at some of India’s most accomplished women directors
Of all the female directors in Indian cinema, Farah Khan is the most commercially successful. As one of Bollywood’s most well known choreographers, Farah’s directorial style is very similar to the elaborate item numbers that have stolen our hearts for years. Relying on simple screenplays, lavish sets and lots of fun, fans have adored Farah’s films for years. She made her debut with Main Hoon Na in 2004 with Shah Rukh Khan, and he has been a staple in all her films but one. She followed her debut film with Om Shanti Om (2007) which emerged as the biggest popcorn blockbuster of the year. She then directed Tees Maar Khan starring Akshay Kumar, a heist caper with a comedy twist. In 2014, she teamed up again with SRK for Happy New Year, which still holds the record for the highest first day gross of any Bollywood film—Rs.44.97 cr.
Kiran’s directorial debut set the stage for her husband, Aamir Khan, to portray a vastly different type of role than anyone had ever seen him in before. In a fiercely independent style, Kiran wrote and directed a film showing Mumbai and her protagonists in an offbeat, gritty and genuine way–although not a commercial blockbuster, Dhobi Ghat was a big festival favorite and much loved among the indie crowds.
Zoya’s impressive debut Luck By Chance showcased the Indian film industry we all love and hate in equal measure, and provided a very poignant look behind the scenes of Bollywood. Her follow-up, the star-laden Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, was the biggest hit of Summer 2011. Zoya is a force in the industry to be watched. She revels in films with an ensemble cast, and her last film Dil Dhadakne Do is the perfect showcase of a dysfunctional family on a vacation.
Though Deepa Mehta doesn’t quite classify as “Bollywood”, her films revolve around the Indian milieu. This talented filmmaker caused a huge ruckus when she released Fire in India in 1998, setting off a wave of protests as people objected to the themes of homosexuality in the film. Her film Water also set off a wave of protests in Sri Lanka which conflicted with filming, but the film was later nominated for an Oscar. She has impressed the world with her films, and her latest, an epic adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s novel Midnight’s Children, is well worth the watch.
Another director with an Oscar nominated film (Salaam Bombay!), Mira may be the most internationally renowned director in this list. A true storyteller, Mira has showcased films on a wide variety of topics, some representing India and some very mainstream Hollywood stories. Her film Monsoon Wedding is as Indian as it can get, while her film The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a westernised political thriller. We can’t choose a favourite, so we recommend watching all her films!
By Neeraj Varty
