Writer, director, and ad filmmaker, Gauri Shinde is one of the most promising directors of her generation. She believes in addressing close-to-life topics in her films, like English Vinglish and Dear Zindagi.
Early Life and Career
Gauri Shinde was born on July 6, 1974, in Pune, Maharashtra. She did her schooling at St. Joseph’s High School, Pune. She graduated in Mass Communication from the Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication in Pune.
Gauri started her career as an intern for documentary filmmaker, TV producer, and presenter Siddharth Kak of “Surabhi” fame. After that, she ventured into advertising and worked with agencies like IBW, Bates Clarion, and Lowe Lintas.
It was while working at Lowe Lintas that she met her future husband, “R. Balki, who was the creative director there. After some time, she decided to widen her horizons and went on to do a course in filmmaking in New York. After her return, she started making ad films and went on to do over 100 of them. She also directed a few short films, including “Oh Man! (2001), which was selected for the Berlin Film Festival.
Gauri Shinde – The Film Maker
Shinde’s directorial debut, “English Vinglish” (2012), not only marked the return of the legendary actress Sridevi but also established Gauri as a filmmaker who could touch hearts and provoke thought through her work. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director. It was inspired by her own experiences with her mother, which added a layer of authenticity and relatability to the narrative.
English Vinglish, follows Shashi (Sridevi), a housewife who faced ridicule by her own family for not knowing english. When she visit US for a family function, she enroled in a english speaking class. It was in that class, she not only learned English but also a lessen in self respect and couarge to speak for herself. The film also stars Adil Hussain, Mehdi Nebbou, Priya Anand and Sulabha Deshpande.
Her second feature film, “Dear Zindagi” (2016), starring Shahrukh Khan and Alia Bhatt, further cemented her reputation as a director who could handle complex emotional narratives with sensitivity and grace. The film features Alia Bhatt as Kaira, a cinematographer seeking mental health guidance from Dr. Jehangir (Shah Rukh Khan). The film explored the nuances of mental health, a topic that is often stigmatised in Indian society. Shinde’s work is characterised by its strong female protagonists, nuanced storytelling, and the ability to address social issues with subtlety and finesse.
Gauri’s both films stand out for their sensitive narratives and commercial success. She won the Laadli National Media Award for Gender Sensitivity for English Vinglish. Dear Zindagi earned her a 2017 Zee Cine Critics Award for Best Director. She featured on Financial Times’ 2012 list of ‘25 Indians to Watch’ and Rediff’s ‘Bollywood’s 5 Best Directors of 2012.’
Personal Life
Off-screen, Gauri has been married to the acclaimed filmmaker R. Balki since 2007, and she has managed to carve her own niche in an industry that is often overshadowed by its male counterparts. Her approach to filmmaking is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from her life experiences and the world around her.
Gauri Shinde on IMDB
