Anand Patwardhan

Anand Patwardhan Biography

Anand Patwardhan is a national award winning documentary filmmaker, who mostly chooses themes from social life, politics, religion, human rights etc. He turned a documentary film maker in the mid-1980s, and has made several acclaimed and thought provoking films, related to social evils and injustice which prevails in Indian society. He is a secular rationalist and a vocal critic of Hindutva ideology. Many of his films have won awards, national as well as internationally. Bombay: Our City, In Memory of Friends, In the Name of God, Father Son and Holy War, A Narmada Diary, War and Peace and Jai Bhim Comrade are among his award winning works. But they have faced censorship and actions after that. He often plays the role of a narrator for his films.

Anand Patwardhan was born on 18 February 1950 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He holds graduation in English and Sociology, and also Master of Arts in Communication Studies at McGill University. On issues ranging from communalism to corruption, Anand Patwardhan’s uncompromising documentaries have stirred controversies multiple times. Yet they have been thought provoking ones. His first documentary, 'Waves of Revolution' (Kraanti Ki Tarangein) was made in 1971, based on government repression in Bihar Movement. Since then he has made many films based on current affairs and socio-political-religious-cultural issues.

Most of his documentaries have been showcased in international film festivals and won many awards as well. In 1985, his short film - 'Bombay: Our City' (Hamara Shahar) won National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film as well as Filmfare Award for Best Documentary. In 1990, 'In Memory of Friends' (Una Mitran Di Yaad Pyaari) won National Film Award for Best Investigative Film and Special Jury Award at Mannheim International Film festival. In 1992, 'In the Name of God' (Ram ke Nam) won National Film Award for Best Investigative Film as well as Filmfare Award for Best Documentary 1996.

His 1995 film, Father, Son, and Holy War won National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues and National Film Award for Best Investigative Film. 'A Narmada Diary’ won Filmfare Award for Best Documentary 1996. His 2002 film, War and Peace won National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film 2004. The list is not ending. As of now he has won 6 National Film Awards and 3 Filmfare awards.

Published: September 14, 2018

Updated: September 14, 2018