Director

Jatinder Mauhar

Jatinder Mauhar is one of Bollywood's most distinctive voices, a director who carved out his unique space in Indian cinema after an unconventional journey from the textile industry to the silver screen. Starting his filmmaking career with music videos before making the leap to feature films, Jatinder made an impressive debut with Mitti (2010), which became the foundation of his signature style. He followed this up with critically acclaimed projects like Sarsa (later appropriated as Sikandar in 2013) and Qissa Punjab (2015), establishing himself as a filmmaker with something genuine to say. Beyond directing, Jatinder has proven himself as a skilled screenwriter, penning the story, screenplay, and dialogues for his early work, and has contributed seriously to cinema discourse through extensive writing and speaking engagements. What sets Jatinder apart is his rooted approach to storytelling and his deep engagement with both mainstream and documentary cinema. His work carries authenticity that comes from real-world experience—whether it's his background in textile technology or his research-driven approach seen in his documentary work on the Samjhauta Express for BBC alongside filmmaker Gerry Troyna. He's not just someone making films; he's a thinker and researcher who brings intellectual rigor to his projects. Over his career spanning from 2006 to the present, Jatinder has established himself as one of the most thoughtful voices discussing cinema in Punjabi, bringing a perspective that bridges art house sensibilities with accessible filmmaking, making him a filmmaker worth paying attention to.