A film can surely our change your life ,or change your perspective towards it. Although everyone has their own personal favourites, one thing is common among all of them; the passionate creators of those movies. Every director, producer puts in equal effort as the actors, and helps put their ideas on the screen.

Fatima Begum , is credited to be the first female director in India. She opened doors for other aspiring female directors who wished to also make their mark in the cinema.

1. Aparna Sen –

Director, screen writer and an actress, what can this woman not do ?! Has films like Mr and Mrs. Iyer , Arshinagar and Ghawre Bairey Aaj. She has won 2 National Awards for her movies- 36 Chowringhee Lane( 1981 ) and for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer ( 2002).

She has critically targeted the complex issues of fundamentalism through her work and has redefined the Indian cinema with a fresh perspective.

2. Deepa Mehta-

This Indian director, is best known for her critically acclaimed Elements trilogy film – Fire, Earth and Water. Through these films , she challenged the daily societal norms and started discussions on topics which were considered taboo.

She is considered the pioneer of courageous and path breaking films.

3. Mira Nair –

She is definitely one of the best directors that we have. Harvard graduate , she has directed movies like Monsoon Wedding, Vanity Affair, The Namesake, Queen of Katwe, A Suitable Boy.

She had also gotten the offer for directing the one of the movies in the famous Harry Potter series- Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix. It was her commitment to tell stories of marginalized characters , the ones who needed someone to help them voice their opinions. She has also directed Salaam Bombay , which was nominated for the Best Foreign Film category in Oscars.

4 .Meghna Gulzar –

Daughter of the famous poet,Gulzar, she made her directorial debut in 2002 with her film , Filhaal. The film was based on surrogacy, and was way ahead of it’s time. A topic not many people were ready to be perceive on screens.

She later went on to direct projects like – Talvaar, Raazi and Chapaak. Her projects have always challenged the societal and the orthodox norms.

5. Zoya Akhtar –

Having films like – Luck by Chance, Zindagi na Milegi Dobara, Dil dhadakne do and Gully boy in her kitty, she has made her mark in the industry as a very powerful creator.

Although most of her films are commercially centered yet she never misses to send her proclaimed messages in her projects. Gully Boy was India’s official entry for Oscars, which further proves the caliber of the director.

Also having created projects like Made In Heaven, that questioned the patriarchal nature of the society,and the horrid reality behind the happy faces and the lavish wedding sets , she has proven her worth and contribution to cinema.