Neeraj Ghaywan
{{short description|Indian director}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Neeraj Ghaywan
| image = Neeraj Ghaywan (cropped).JPG
| imagesize =
| caption = Neeraj Ghaywan
| othername =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1980}}
| birth_place = Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, (now Telangana), India
| yearsactive = 2010–present
| spouse =
| occupation = Director, screenwriter
}}
Neeraj Ghaywan (born 1980) is an Indian film director and writer who works in Hindi films. He is the winner of several accolades including a National film Award and two Filmfare Awards.
Ghaywan assisted filmmaker Anurag Kashyap on Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and Ugly (2013) before he made his directorial debut in 2015 with Masaan which received wide acclaim and won two prizes at the Cannes Film Festival including the FIPRESCI prize.{{Cite magazine|author=Nisha Singh|date=May 20, 2020|title=Can't believe I lived this moment: Director Neeraj Ghaywan recalls Masaan premiere at Cannes|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/can-t-believe-i-lived-this-moment-director-neeraj-ghaywan-recalls-masaan-premiere-at-cannes-1679933-2020-05-20|access-date=2020-11-11|magazine=India Today|language=en|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116192646/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/can-t-believe-i-lived-this-moment-director-neeraj-ghaywan-recalls-masaan-premiere-at-cannes-1679933-2020-05-20|url-status=live}} His acclaimed 2017 short film Juice won him the Filmfare Award for Best Short Film-Fiction. Ghaywan then co-directed the second season of Netflix's series Sacred Games with Kashyap in 2019 and Geeli Pucchi from the anthology film Ajeeb Daastaans in 2021.
Career
=Early life and work =
Neeraj Ghaywan was born in 1980{{Cite web|date=2018-01-04|title=Neeraj Ghaywan responds to Vivek Agnihotri's Dalit tweet; Twitter lines up in support of the Masaan director|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/neeraj-ghaywan-responds-to-vivek-agnihotris-dalit-tweet-twitter-lines-up-in-support-of-the-masaan-director-4286357.html|access-date=2020-06-04|website=Firstpost|language=en|archive-date=30 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830185127/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/neeraj-ghaywan-responds-to-vivek-agnihotris-dalit-tweet-twitter-lines-up-in-support-of-the-masaan-director-4286357.html|url-status=live}} and brought up in Hyderabad, to Maharashtrian parents.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/neeraj-ghaywan-director-of-masaan/article1-1365547.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707234846/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/neeraj-ghaywan-director-of-masaan/article1-1365547.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2015|work=Hindstan Times|title=The last five years have not been easy: Neeraj Ghaywan|date=12 July 2015|accessdate=3 August 2015 }} His father was a research scientist, and mother ran a garment store.{{Cite news|title=The 'Masaan'-man turned ad-man: How Neeraj Ghaywan found his calling| newspaper=The Economic Times | date=2 March 2016 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/the-masaan-man-turned-ad-man-how-neeraj-ghaywan-found-his-calling/articleshow/51208028.cms?from=mdr|language=en|access-date=18 August 2019|archive-date=21 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421000017/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/icons/etfavicon.ico|url-status=live | last1=Bapna | first1=Amit }}
He did his schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya Shivrampally (National Police Academy). After completing his degree in Electrical Engineering from Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, in 2002, he did his MBA in Marketing from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune.{{Cite web|last=www.ETBrandEquity.com|title=Neeraj Ghaywan: The 'Masaan'-man turned ad-man - ET BrandEquity|url=http://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/advertising/neeraj-ghaywan-the-masaan-man-turned-ad-man/51214580|access-date=2020-11-11|website=ETBrandEquity.com|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112184440/https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/advertising/neeraj-ghaywan-the-masaan-man-turned-ad-man/51214580|url-status=live}}
After completing his graduation, Ghaywan worked as an engineer in UTV New Media, Hindustan Times and Tech Mahindra. Dissatisfied with his career in the corporate world, he started writing as a film critic for the now defunct web portal Passionforcinema.com. According to him, that interest grew into passion that was eventually encouraged by director Anurag Kashyap.{{cite web | title = I'm overwhelmed, says 'Masaan' director Neeraj Ghaywan on his Cannes experience | url = http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/im-overwhelmed-says-masaan-director-neeraj-ghaywan-on-his-cannes-experience-2272530.html | date = 1 June 2015 | accessdate = 3 August 2015 | publisher = First Post | archive-date = 5 August 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150805005924/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/im-overwhelmed-says-masaan-director-neeraj-ghaywan-on-his-cannes-experience-2272530.html | url-status = live }} He made his first short film, Independence that was shortlisted for the In Competition section of PFCOne, an online one-minute film festival, in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/film/2010010540783.htm|title=PFCOne 2010 Online One Minute Film Festival begins|date=5 January 2010|accessdate=3 August 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924034549/http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/film/2010010540783.htm|url-status=live}} Ghaywan then assisted Kashyap in the making of Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) and Ugly (2013), directing two short films in the meanwhile, Shor and Epiphany. Ghaywan recalls fond memories of working with Kashyap, whom he considers as his mentor.{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/exclusive-i-cherish-anurags-team-spirit-the-most-neeraj-ghaywan|title=An Insider Exposes the 'Real' Anurag Kashyap on his Birthday|date=10 September 2015 |access-date=25 March 2022|archive-date=21 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021074714/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/exclusive-i-cherish-anurags-team-spirit-the-most-neeraj-ghaywan|url-status=live}}
=''Masaan'' and critical acclaim =
File:Team Masaan at the Cannes Film Festival.jpg; Richa Chadda, Shweta Tripathi and Vicky Kaushal at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival]]
In January 2014, a screenplay he co-wrote with Varun Grover called Fly Away Solo was awarded the Sundance Institute/Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award.{{cite news | title = Ghaywan's 'Fly Away Solo' to be turned into motion picture | work = Business Standard | url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/ghaywan-s-fly-away-solo-to-be-turned-into-motion-picture-114012400708_1.html | date = 24 January 2014 | accessdate = 3 August 2015 | archive-date = 24 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125512/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/ghaywan-s-fly-away-solo-to-be-turned-into-motion-picture-114012400708_1.html | url-status = live }} He then made a motion picture based on it, Masaan in 2015. The film received overwhelming acclaim from critics, the mainstream media and audience alike. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 92% based on 13 reviews.{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=masaan |type=movie |title=Masaan |access-date=2022-03-03 }} The New York Times considered it to be a leading example of increased realism in Indian cinema.{{cite news |url=https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/36epInYO3bHT2okkFpUADJ/Critically-acclaimed-Masaan-sees-a-limited-release.html |work=Mint |title=Critically acclaimed 'Masaan' sees a limited release |date=24 July 2015 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727071043/http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/36epInYO3bHT2okkFpUADJ/Critically-acclaimed-Masaan-sees-a-limited-release.html |archive-date=27 July 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Vaibhav |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/movies/masaan-and-other-indian-films-steer-away-from-bollywood-escapism.html |work=The New York Times |title='Masaan' and Other Indian Films Steer Away From Bollywood Escapism |date=20 September 2015 |access-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720165911/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/movies/masaan-and-other-indian-films-steer-away-from-bollywood-escapism.html |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live}} The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard segment at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, where it won two awards, including the FIPRESCI Prize{{cite news |url=https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/nuWG2KmS0YA85yqO3qyk2J/Masaan-wins-two-top-awards-at-Cannes.html |work=Mint |title='Masaan' wins two top awards at Cannes |date=24 May 2015 |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720112237/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/nuWG2KmS0YA85yqO3qyk2J/Masaan-wins-two-top-awards-at-Cannes.html?utm_source=scroll&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=scroll |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live}} and has since gone on to achieve a cult status.{{Cite web|title=From ZNMD To Masaan: 25 Cult Classics From Our Time We Were Fortunate To Have Witnessed|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/cult-classics-we-were-fortunate-to-have-witnessed/|access-date=12 July 2021|website=scoopwhoop|date=12 July 2021 |archive-date=13 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713072904/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/cult-classics-we-were-fortunate-to-have-witnessed/|url-status=live}} Ghaywan received the Indira Gandhi Award for the Best Debut Film of a director at the 63rd National Film Awards.{{cite news|title=National Awards 2016: Kangana, Amitabh best actors; Manoj Kumar receives Dadasaheb Phalke Award|url=http://www.abplive.in/movies/veteran-actor-manoj-kumar-receives-dadasaheb-phalke-award-334830|publisher=ABP Live|date=3 May 2016|access-date=4 May 2016|archive-date=4 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504111458/http://www.abplive.in/movies/veteran-actor-manoj-kumar-receives-dadasaheb-phalke-award-334830|url-status=live}} He made his first commercial in 2016 for British Airways.{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/this-real-life-inspired-british-airways-ad-will-make-you-smile-1273191|title=How This British Airways Stewardess Fell in Love With India|publisher=|access-date=3 February 2016|archive-date=3 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203172704/http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/this-real-life-inspired-british-airways-ad-will-make-you-smile-1273191|url-status=live}}
Ghaywan wrote and directed his third short film Juice on gender politics of middle class Indian households starring Shefali Shah in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/juice-review-neeraj-ghaywan-puts-everyday-misogyny-in-sharp-focus-watch-video/story-ROZBoGanUUm4CxiOTcg8nL.html|title=Juice review: Neeraj Ghaywan puts everyday misogyny in sharp focus. Watch video|date=26 November 2017|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=18 August 2019|archive-date=18 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818203309/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/juice-review-neeraj-ghaywan-puts-everyday-misogyny-in-sharp-focus-watch-video/story-ROZBoGanUUm4CxiOTcg8nL.html|url-status=live}} The film received the Filmfare Award for Best Short Film-Fiction that year.{{cite news|title=63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018: Complete winners' list|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/63rd-jio-filmfare-awards-2018-complete-winners-list/articleshow/62582673.cms|work=The Times of India|date=21 January 2018|access-date=16 April 2021|archive-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180205074042/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/63rd-jio-filmfare-awards-2018-complete-winners-list/articleshow/62582673.cms|url-status=live}} In 2019, Ghaywan replaced Vikramaditya Motwane as co-director alongside Anurag Kashyap for the second season of Netflix's highly acclaimed series Sacred Games.{{cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|title=Netflix confirms: Sacred Games will be back with a second season|work=The Indian Express|date=22 September 2018|access-date=22 September 2018|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921120444/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/sacred-games-season-2-official-announcement-netflix-5367778/|url-status=live}}
=2020 - Present =
Ajeeb Daastaans, an anthology film, was his next directorial venture.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-19|title=Ajeeb Daastaans teaser: Karan Johar-produced Netflix anthology film deals with jealousy, prejudice|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/ajeeb-daastaans-teaser-karan-johar-produced-film-deals-with-jealousy-and-prejudice-7235486/|access-date=2021-03-20|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=24 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324233229/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/ajeeb-daastaans-teaser-karan-johar-produced-film-deals-with-jealousy-and-prejudice-7235486/|url-status=live}} It consisted of four short films made by four directors. Produced by Karan Johar and Netflix, Ghaywan directed the third segment, titled Geeli Pucchi which featured Aditi Rao Hydari and Konkona Sen Sharma in lead roles.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-16|title=Ajeeb Daastaans movie review: Neeraj Ghaywan saves Karan Johar's uneven Netflix film from disaster|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ajeeb-daastaans-movie-review-neeraj-ghaywan-saves-karan-johar-s-uneven-netflix-film-from-disaster-101618458789212.html|access-date=2021-04-22|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=24 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324233229/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ajeeb-daastaans-movie-review-neeraj-ghaywan-saves-karan-johar-s-uneven-netflix-film-from-disaster-101618458789212.html|url-status=live}} In a review for Hindustan Times, Rohan Nahar wrote, "Ghaywan addresses caste and gender politics; patriarchy and privilege. And he does this with an intense empathy for his characters, both of whom display morally questionable behaviour." He also found it remarkable that Ghaywan has been able to craft a distinctly lyrical style before having even directed his second feature film.
Ghaywan was an episodic director on the second season of Amazon Prime Video’s Made in Heaven. The series, which has found major success with streaming audiences and critics, had its season 2 debut in August 2023. The show is a departure from the stylistic themes of his previous work, with a lavish look and feel set against the backdrop of big Indian weddings.
Filmography
Awards
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|4784536}}
- [https://neerajghaywan.wordpress.com/ Neeraj's blog on cinema]
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Category:Hindi-language film directors
Category:Indian male screenwriters
Category:Kendriya Vidyalaya alumni
Category:Film directors from Hyderabad, India
Category:21st-century Indian people
Category:Director whose film won the Best Debut Feature Film National Film Award