But she did not have it easy. Coming from Assam to Mumbai to become an actor, she was in for crushing disappointment when she realised that her looks and language skills were going to be a hindrance. She became depressed. "I tried my best to become someone else, wearing makeup and high heels to fit in," she told THE WEEK. It was when she bought a camera—a Canon 5D Mark II—that her life changed. Her calling, she realised, was not in front of the camera, but behind it. Excerpts from an interview:
Today, with excellent filmmakers like you, Meghna Gulzar, Alankrita Shrivastava and Kiran Rao, more women in India are behind the camera than ever before. Has this changed the way women are represented in cinema?
It is a great feeling for us women filmmakers to have so many of us behind the camera. And women are definitely doing well and creating opportunities for other women. But my journey has been different, because I have not done many mainstream films, and neither have I collaborated with other filmmakers. I did it all myself. I created my own opportunities. I have produced and directed my five feature films by myself. So, I have not been dependent on anyone, male or female. When power is concentrated in someone’s hands, it changes things.
What were some of the challenges you faced as a woman filmmaker, like safety or finding funding?
Dit verhaal komt uit de March 16, 2025 editie van THE WEEK India.
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Dit verhaal komt uit de March 16, 2025 editie van THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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