Nandita Das is known to world audiences for her critically acclaimed performances as an actor in films like Fire, Earth, Bawander, Before the Rains and many other films. She has acted in over 30 feature films, in ten different languages, with directors of international repute like, Deepa Mehta, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam, and others. She is known never to shy away from controversial issues and unconventional roles and has chosen to be part of stories which she believes in, and, in her words, that need to be told. Recently acted in the film, 'I AM' directed by Onir, which is slated to release in the later part of 2010, where she plays the character of Aafia.
 
Firaaq was her directorial debut feature film, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2008 and then went on to many other festivals across the world. It was released in India in March 2009 to critical acclaim and an overwhelming audience response. She has attracted the attention of artists, critics and film lovers across the globe and has won numerous awards, both as an actor and a director.
 
She has a fiery passion to make a difference, and her choices bear witness to that. Nandita’s passion and commitment comes from her background in Human Rights. She did her Masters in Social Work from the University of Delhi and worked with various NGOs and continues to advocate issues of social justice. She has been a featured speaker at various universities and social forums both in India and abroad.
 
Nandita Das has been a member of the main jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2007 and Marrakech International Film Festival 2009. In 2008 the French Government conferred her with the prestigious Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. She is currently the Chairperson of the Children’s Film Society, India. She wants to further its vision of producing and distributing high quality films for children.
 
Apart from various awards received in the country, her International awards for acting include:

• Best Actress for Bawander (Sandstorm) - Santa Monica Film Festival (2001), USA
• Best Actress for Amar Bhuvan (This, My Land) - Cairo Film Festival (2002), Egypt
• Best Actress for Maati Maay(A Grave-keeper’s Tale) - Madrid International Film Festival, (2007), Spain

Awards for her directorial debut, Firaaq:

• Best Film, Best Screenplay and Foreign critics award (the ‘Purple Orchid’) for the Best Film - Asian Festival of First Films, Singapore (2008)
• Special award - Thessaloniki International Film Festival (2008), Greece
• Best Editor- Dubai International Film Festival (2008), UAE
• Special Jury Prize - Kerala International Film Festival (2008), India
• Best Film - Kara International Film Festival, (2009), Pakistan
• Best film, ‘The Maverick Spirit Award’ - Cinequest Film Festival, San Jose, (2009), USA
• Special Jury Prize - Istanbul Film Festival (2009), Turkey