Nandita Das

Indian filmmaker and activist championing gender equality through cinema

Nandita Das (b. 1969) is a multifaceted artist whose work challenges social norms in India and beyond. Best known for her debut film The Fire (1996), she brought LGBTQ+ issues to mainstream Indian cinema, sparking national dialogues about sexuality and caste oppression. As a co-founder of Sahapedia, she promotes cultural preservation through digital storytelling. Her 2019 documentary Women of Change profiles grassroots activists from rural India, while her UN Women advocacy highlights intersectional feminism. Das' creation of The Nandita Das Foundation supports underprivileged girls' education, blending art with activism. Her BBC profile notes how her films like Barefoot to Ballroom (2008) deconstruct gender stereotypes through dance narratives. Recently, she pioneered virtual reality projects like Partition Voices, using immersive media to preserve historical memory. Das' transmedia approach ensures her messages reach global audiences while maintaining cultural authenticity.