Nandita Das life and biography

Nandita Das is known to world audiences for her critically acclaimed performances as an actor in films like Fire, Earth, Bawandar, Four Women and many other films. She has acted in over 30 feature films, in ten different languages, with directors of international repute like, Deepa Mehta, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam and others. She is known to never shy away from controversial issues and unconventional roles and has chosen to be part of stories that she feels need to be told.

Firaaq was her directorial debut feature film that traces the emotional journeys of ordinary people and the impact of sectarian violence on their life and relationships. It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008 and then it travelled to more than 50 International film festivals across the world, winning over 10 international awards and 13 Indian awards. She has attracted the attention and appreciation of artists, critics and film lovers across the globe, both as an actor and a director.

Nandita has a fiery passion to make a difference, and her choices bear witness to that. She did her Masters in Social Work from University of Delhi and worked with various NGOs. She continues to advocate issues of social justice through various platforms. She continues to be a featured speaker at many reputed universities and social forums, both in India and abroad.

Nandita Das has been a member of the prestigious jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2007 and the Marrakech International Film Festival in 2009. The French Government conferred her with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres), a very prestigious civilian award. She is currently the Chairperson of the Children's Film Society, India, where she is committed to its vision of producing and distributing high quality films for children.

Nandita Das wears many hats and her fiery passion to make a difference is evident in the choices she has made in her life and work. She has acted in over 30 feature films in ten different languages with many eminent directors like Mrinal Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shyam Benegal, Deepa Mehta, Mani Ratnam and others. Firaaq, her directorial debut feature film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008, and has travelled to over 50 festivals, winning much appreciation from critics and audiences and has won over 10 international awards and 10 within the country. She was a member of the main jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005, among other reputed international film festivals. She has done her Masters in Social Work from the University of Delhi and continues to advocate issues of social justice and human rights. Recently the French government bestowed the award of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, a very prestigious civil award on her. She is currently the Chairperson of the Children's Film Society, India and is committed to its vision of producing and distributing high quality films for children.

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