Through her Lens

Through her Lens

In a world saturated with images and narratives, there’s something unmistakably powerful about seeing a story told through the eyes of a young woman. Whether it’s a fleeting frame captured on film, a documentary unfolding in dusty corners of the country, or a fashion portrait that reimagines beauty, these emerging Indian storytellers are reshaping how we see and feel. Through Her Lens spotlights a new generation of female photographers, directors, and cinematographers who are expanding the possibilities of storytelling today.

Aishwarya Sridhar
At 28 years old, Aishwarya Sridhar has already made history as the first Indian woman to win the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year award (2020). A self-taught wildlife photographer and documentary filmmaker from Maharashtra, she has a knack for capturing the magic of nature, from bioluminescent fireflies against starry skies (the award-winning image) to intimate portraits of big cats. Sridhar’s work has been featured by BBC and National Geographic, and she’s a NatGeo Explorer who produces wildlife documentaries through her own company.
 
Shelly Sharma
Shelly Sharma is one of the rising female cinematographers in India’s film industry, known for her dynamic camera work on streaming series and shorts. Based in Mumbai, she cut her teeth as a second-unit cinematographer on Amazon Prime’s acclaimed spy series The Family Man, where she navigated frenetic action sequences with immersive handheld shots on real locations. Shelly then became the Director of Photography for the web series Girgit, bringing a distinct visual style to its two parallel worlds. As a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, Sharma has spoken openly about the extra scrutiny and doubts she’s faced – from being questioned about handling heavy camera rigs to being denied assistant roles by those unwilling to hire a female crew member
 
Shreya Dev Dube
Shreya Dev Dube has quickly become an in-demand cinematographer known for her evocative, artful imagery in independent films. A Kolkata-born and Paris-trained cinematographer, Shreya first garnered attention for lensing the moody black-and-white indie Cat Sticks and the Oscar-shortlisted short Bittu. She went on to shoot the Netflix noir-western Thar, whose stunning rustic visuals earned Shreya the Best Cinematography award at the 2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards. Her collaborative approach and willingness to experiment with visual language have made her one of the most exciting young DOPs in India, bringing cinematic polish and depth to every project she undertakes.

Bonita Rajpurohit
At just 26 years old, Bonita Rajpurohit is breaking new ground for transgender representation in Indian cinema. Hailing from a small Rajasthani town, Bonita is a trans woman who has transitioned from working behind the scenes to starring on the big screen. She will be the first transgender actress to play a lead role in a Bollywood theatrical release, debuting as the protagonist Kulu in Dibakar Banerjee’s upcoming film Love Sex aur Dhokha 2. Bonita’s creative talents go beyond acting – she wrote, directed, edited, and acted in her short film IYKYK, a bold story about digital-age dating. The film earned her the Best Emerging Indian Filmmaker award at the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival last year, along with a special jury mention.
 
Nidhi Saxena
Nidhi Saxena is an emerging filmmaker whose very first feature film is already turning heads internationally. Trained in sculpture and fine arts, Nidhi brings a painterly eye to her filmmaking. In 2024, she made history as the first Indian woman director to win the Busan Asian Cinema Fund, securing support for her debut feature, Sad Letters of an Imaginary Woman. This upcoming film is deeply personal – Nidhi draws on her own experiences to explore memory, intergenerational trauma, and the poisonous pressures of patriarchy. Her background in visual art shines through in the film’s composition and use of colour, crafting emotional meaning in every frame.

Prerna Nainwal
Prerna Nainwal is a young Indian photographer reinventing fashion imagery with a fresh, expressive perspective. Born and raised in the Himalayan town of Nainital, Prerna moved to Mumbai in her early twenties to pursue photography. Five years on, this self-made talent (now in her late 20s) has built an impressive portfolio shooting for major fashion and lifestyle brands. Prerna’s style is marked by its artful simplicity and conceptual flair – she often strips away excessive props and focuses on clean, striking use of light and expression. Critics have noted that in a short span, she’s managed to develop a signature look, one influenced by artistic movements like modern expressionism.
 
Cheena Kapoor
Cheena Kapoor is a Delhi-based photojournalist dedicated to shining light on people and places often overlooked by mainstream narratives. In her late 20s, Cheena has spent years documenting India’s red-light districts, mental health institutions, and other marginalized communities, especially focusing on women’s lived experiences. Her documentary projects have taken her into brothels and rehabilitation centers, as well as to meet surrogate mothers and young women battling drug addiction. With empathy and grit, Cheena presents the stories of those 'who would otherwise never get a glimpse of this world,' bringing audiences face-to-face with harsh social realities.

Words Harita Odedara
17.06.2025