Director

Shivam Nair

Shivam Nair is a filmmaker who's been quietly building an impressive career since the early '80s, moving seamlessly between television and cinema. He first made waves with the TV serial Sea Hawks, but really proved his directorial chops with his 2006 debut feature Ahista Ahista, a beautifully crafted script by Imtiaz Ali that showcased his eye for nuance and emotion. Before diving into features, Nair spent years honing his craft in television, even assisting the talented Sriram Raghavan on the docudrama Raman Raghav, A City, A Killer. His willingness to tackle challenging subjects extended through other docudramas like Auto Shankar, Ranga Billa, and Feroz Daruwalla—projects that demanded both technical skill and storytelling sensitivity. What sets Nair apart is his ability to blend intricate storytelling with meticulous direction, never chasing trends but instead carving out his own lane in Hindi cinema. He followed Ahista Ahista with Maharathi (2008), adapting Uttam Gada's acclaimed play for the screen, proving he could work across different source materials. His 2015 thriller Bhaag Johnny, featuring Kunal Khemu and Zoa Morani and backed by T Series, showed he could deliver edge-of-your-seat entertainment while maintaining his trademark sophistication. Though he may not always be in the spotlight like some of his contemporaries, Nair's body of work speaks to a director who respects the craft and consistently delivers compelling cinema.