Director

Ritesh Batra

Ritesh Batra is the kind of director who makes you believe Bollywood can conquer the world—and he's got the trophy case to prove it. His breakthrough feature, The Lunchbox, premiered at Cannes in 2013 and absolutely floored the festival circuit, snagging the prestigious Rail d'Or award. The film went on to become a global phenomenon, raking in over $25 million to become the highest-grossing foreign film across North America, Europe, and Australia in 2014. It even earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Film Not in the English Language. The Toronto Film Critics Association also recognized it as Best First Feature Film, cementing Batra's arrival as a serious filmmaker who could blend Indian storytelling with universal appeal. What sets Batra apart is his gift for intimate, character-driven narratives that feel refreshingly different from typical Bollywood fare. A Tisch School of Arts alumnus, he's comfortable moving between Hindi and English-language projects, proving his versatility by adapting Julian Barnes' Booker Prize-winning novel into The Sense of an Ending in 2017, while simultaneously releasing the Netflix gem Our Souls at Night that same year. His 2019 film Photograph continued his exploration of human connection and quiet moments that speak volumes. Batra's contribution to Indian cinema lies in his refusal to play it safe—he crafts stories that linger long after the credits roll, earning him a devoted following among cinema lovers who appreciate substance over spectacle.