Nitesh Tiwari

Nitesh Tiwari
Tiwari in 2016
Born (1973-05-22) 22 May 1973
Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh, India
Alma materIndian Institute of Technology Bombay, 1996
OccupationsDirector, producer, writer
Years active2011–present
Notable workDangal
Chhichhore
SpouseAshwiny Iyer
Children2

Nitesh Tiwari (born 22 May 1973) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and lyricist known for his works in Hindi films.[1][2] He debuted as a co-writer and co-director in Chillar Party (2011) which won him two National Film Awards, including Best Children's Film and Best Screenplay.[1] He made his solo directorial debut with the supernatural political drama Bhoothnath Returns (2014).[3][4]

Tiwari scripted and directed the highest grossing Indian film Dangal (2016), which was screened at the Beijing International Film Festival and the second BRICS festival.[5] The film won him the Award for Best Director at the 62nd Filmfare Awards and the Telstra People's Choice Award at the 2017 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.[6][7] He followed up with the critically acclaimed coming-of-age film Chhichhore (2019), winning him a third National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.[8]

He co-founded Earthsky Pictures, producing ad films and the docu-series Break Point based on Indian tennis legends Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes.

Early life

Tiwari was born in Madhya Pradesh to B. D. Tiwari. He has a brother and a sister. He graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in Metallurgy and Material Science engineering.[9] He worked as a creative director at Leo Burnett before entering Bollywood.[10] Tiwari grew up in the small town of Ganj Basoda, attending Bharat Mata Convent School until class 8th. He performed in a school play titled "Tapori-Mughal-e-Azam".

Career

2010s:

Tiwari began his filmmaking career with the 2011 feature Chillar Party. While serving as a creative director at Leo Burnett, Tiwari and co-writer Vikas Bahl developed the screenplay as a collaborative project. Following a series of rejections from established directors who were reluctant to helm a film centered on a children’s ensemble, the pair chose to co-direct the project themselves.[11] For his debut work, Tiwari received two National Film Awards, including Best Children's Film and Best Screenplay, solidifying his successful transition from advertising to feature filmmaking.[12][13]

Following his debut, Tiwari transitioned to sole directorial duties for the 2014 supernatural political satire Bhoothnath Returns. In addition to directing, he co-wrote the story, screenplay, and dialogue.[14] The film received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its social commentary on the Indian electoral process, though some noted a shift in tone from the children-centric original to a more mature political narrative.[15][16] In the same year, Tiwari contributed as a writer for the action-thriller Kill Dil (2014), directed by Shaad Ali. Tiwari served as a dialogue, screenplay, and story writer for the project.[17] Unlike his directorial work, Kill Dil received a poor response from critics; reviews often pointed to a disconnect between the film's stylish aesthetic and its narrative, with many reviewers critiquing the script’s lack of depth and uneven execution.[18]

In 2016, he expanded his writing portfolio with the universally acclaimed film Nil Battey Sannata.[19] Directed by his wife, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the film’s narrative is about a domestic worker’s struggle to secure a better future for her daughter through education. Several critics noted that the screenplay successfully balanced social commentary with heartfelt storytelling.[20][21]

The_Director_Nitesh_Tiwari_of_the_film_DANGAL_at_the_Master_Class,_during_the_48th_International_Film_Festival_of_India_(IFFI-2017),_in_Panaji,_Goa_on_November_23,_2017
Tiwari at the 48th International Film Festival of India in 2017.

Also in 2016, Tiwari scripted and directed his career-defining film Dangal.[22] The biographical sports drama was based on the life of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters, Geeta and Babita. The making of the film was notable for its rigorous research, including extensive interviews with the Phogat family, and wrestling training for the actors.[23] Dangal received universal critical acclaim for its grounded narrative, emotional depth, and focus on female empowerment. Critics highlighted his ability to balance a "hero-centric" star vehicle with a screenplay that allowed the performances of the lead actresses to anchor the film alongside Aamir Khan.[24][25][26][27] It became (and remains) the highest-grossing Indian film of all time, achieving major international success, particularly in China.[28][29] Among its numerous accolades, Tiwari won the Filmfare Award for Best Director.[30]

In 2017, he continued his collaboration with his wife on the romantic comedy Bareilly Ki Barfi, serving as the film's primary writer.[31] The film was well-regarded for its quirky characters and sharp, localized writing.[32] Following this, he returned to the director's chair for the 2019 coming-of-age drama Chhichhore. Drawing from his own experiences as an engineering student at IIT Bombay, Tiwari directed and co-wrote the film, which explored themes of friendship, academic pressure, and the transition into adulthood.[33] Chhichhore was both a commercial success and critically well received for its nostalgic tone and portrayal of the anxieties faced by contemporary students.[34][35] The film won him his third National Film Award, for Best Feature Film in Hindi.[36]

2020s:

In the following years, Tiwari expanded into digital streaming, maintaining a prolific output across various roles. He co-wrote the Netflix anthology Ankahi Kahaniya (2021) and the Disney+ Hotstar comedy-drama Tumse Na Ho Payega (2023).[37] The latter focuses on a corporate employee who decides to quit seeking a job to pursue entrepreneurship. It was generally viewed as a relatable, lighthearted watch that captures the struggles and aspirations of the modern generation, though some critics noted it occasionally relied on convenient storytelling tropes.[38][39] That same year, he produced the ZEE5 biopic Tarla, with no creative involvement.[40]

His directorial efforts during this period included the acclaimed ZEE5 documentary series Break Point (2021), which tracked the professional relationship between tennis icons Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi and marked his debut as a producer, as well as the Amazon Prime Video romantic drama Bawaal (2023), for which he also provided the screenplay.[41] Bawaal follows a history teacher and his wife who embark on a transformative journey through Europe, visiting significant World War II sites. The film’s reception was polarized.[42][43]

He is currently directing Ramayana: Part 1, a two-part adaptation of the epic of the same name, which is envisioned as his magnum opus.[44] Produced by Namit Malhotra, the large-scale project features an ensemble cast and is scheduled to be released in installments starting in 2026.[45]

Personal life

Tiwari is married to Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, a former colleague and creative director at Leo Burnett who is also a film director, producer, and writer. He is a father to twins, a boy and a girl.[46][47]

Filmography

Year Film Director Producer Dialogue Screenplay Story Notes
2011 Chillar Party Yes No No No Yes National Film Award for Best Children's Film
National Film Award for Best Screenplay
2014 Bhoothnath Returns Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Kill Dil No No Yes Yes Yes
2016 Nil Battey Sannata No No Yes Yes Yes
Dangal Yes No Yes Yes Yes Telstra People's Choice Award
Filmfare Award for Best Director
2017 Bareilly Ki Barfi No No Yes Yes Yes
2019 Chhichhore Yes No Yes Yes Yes National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi
2020 Ghar Ki Murgi No Yes No No Yes Short film
2021 Ankahi Kahaniya No No Yes Yes Yes Anthology film; Released on Netflix
Break Point Yes Yes No No Yes Documentary series; Released on Zee5
2023 Tarla No Yes No No No Released on Zee5
Bawaal Yes Yes Yes Yes No Released on Amazon Prime
Tumse Na Ho Payega No Yes Yes Yes No Released on Disney+Hotstar[48]
2026 Ramayana: Part 1 † Yes No Yes Yes No Adaptation of Valmiki Ramayana[49]
2027 Ramayana: Part 2 † Yes No Yes Yes No

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResult
2011National Film Award for Best Children's FilmChillar PartyWon
National Film Award for Best ScreenplayWon
2015Filmfare Award for Best DialogueBhoothnath ReturnsNominated
2017Filmfare Award for Best DirectorDangalWon
2018Filmfare Award for Best DialogueBareilly Ki BarfiNominated
2020ChhichhoreNominated
Filmfare Award for Best StoryNominated
Filmfare Award for Best DirectorNominated
IIFA Award for Best StoryNominated
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in HindiWon

References

  1. 1 2 "59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  2. ↑ "Vidya Balan wins National Award for 'The Dirty Picture'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013.
  3. ↑ Hungama, Bollywood. "Featured Movie News - Featured Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Bhoothnath Returns Fails To Make An Impact". Box Office India Trade Network. Box Office India. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Aneja, Atul (25 June 2017). "China's 'Dangal' mega-success echoes at second BRICS film festival". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. ↑ Goswami, Parismita (12 August 2017). "IFFM 2017: Aishwarya Rai looks gorgeous; Sushant Singh wins Best Actor award [PHOTOS]". International Business Times, India Edition.
  7. ↑ "My next a departure from children's films: Nitesh Tiwari". IANS - Yahoo. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Winners of the 62nd Filmfare Awards 2017 - filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com.
  9. ↑ "Mr. Nitesh Tiwari". Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  10. ↑ "Dangal director Nitesh Tiwari's next film with Sajid Nadiadwala". 20 February 2017.
  11. ↑ "Nitesh Tiwari reveals Chillar Party was never a part of the plan; says, "When Vikas Bahl and I started writing, it was just a weekend project"". Bollywood Hungama. 24 March 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced". Press Information Bureau. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  13. ↑ IANS (7 March 2012). "Chillar Party wins National Award for best children's film". India Today. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  14. ↑ "Bhoothnath Returns | T-Series". www.tseries.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  15. ↑ "Movie Review: Bhoothnath Returns | Filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  16. ↑ "Bhoothnath 2 (2014) | Hindi Movie Critic Review By - Bollywood Hungama". www.bollywoodhungama.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  17. ↑ "Kill Dill Movie - Video Songs, Movie Trailer, Cast & Crew Details | YRF". www.yashrajfilms.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Joshi, Tushar. "Film Review: 'Kill Dil' fails to connect with the audience, should have had more of Govinda!". DNA India. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  19. ↑ "Nil Battey Sannata (2016) - Movie | Reviews, Cast & Release Date in Ahmedabad". BookMyShow. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  20. ↑ Hooli, Shekhar H. (22 April 2016). "'Nil Battey Sannata' movie review by audience: Live update". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  21. ↑ "Film review: Nil Battey Sannata - Mumbai Mirror -". Mumbai Mirror. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  22. ↑ Rosario, Kennith (14 December 2016). "Dangal's director, Nitesh Tiwari, discusses the thrills and challenges of working with Aamir Khan". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  23. ↑ "The perfectionist and the patriarch: The making of Dangal". Business Standard. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  24. ↑ Bhatnagar, Rohit (22 December 2016). "Dangal movie review: An unmissable epic | Dangal movie review: An unmissable epic". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "Dangal Yuddham | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  26. ↑ "Movie review: Dangal | Filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  27. ↑ "Dangal Movie Review {4.5/5}: Demonetisation be damned, watch Dangal". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  28. ↑ "Bollywood Top Grossers Worldwide". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  29. ↑ Cain, Rob. "5 Key Reasons For 'Dangal's' Massive Success In China". Forbes. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  30. ↑ "Nitesh Tiwari- Best Director Nominee | Filmfare Awards". filmfare.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  31. ↑ Singh, Suhani (14 August 2017). "Dangal director Nitesh Tiwari opens up on writing Bareilly Ki Barfi". India Today. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  32. ↑ "Bareilly Ki Barfi Review {4/5}: This Barfi Is Definitely Worth A Try". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  33. ↑ Bhatt, Shephali (15 September 2019). "Not just a film, 'Chhichhore' became a self-realisation exercise for Nitesh Tiwari & his team of writers". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  34. ↑ "Chhichhore - Movie - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  35. ↑ Anonymous (6 September 2019). "Chhichhore movie review: Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor deliver relevant film with important message". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  36. ↑ "Nitesh Tiwari dedicates Chhichhore's National Award win to Sushant Singh Rajput, Shraddha Kapoor says 'we miss you'". Hindustan Times. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  37. ↑ PTI (18 August 2021). "New Netflix anthology 'Ankahi Kahaniya' announced, to chronicle unheard tales of love". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  38. ↑ Cyril, Grace (29 September 2023). "'Tumse Na Ho Payega' Review: Ishwak's film will make us miss 'maa ke hath ka khana'". India Today. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  39. ↑ "Tumse Na Ho Payega Review: Bumpy Comedy Tackles Highs And Lows Of Entrepreneur's Journey". TimesNow. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  40. ↑ "Watch Tarla (2023) Full HD Hindi Movie Online on ZEE5". ZEE5. Archived from the original on 10 June 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  41. ↑ "Watch Break Point Web Series All Episodes Online in HD On ZEE5". ZEE5. Archived from the original on 8 March 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  42. ↑ "Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Bawaal review". The Indian Express. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  43. ↑ Mogul, Rhea (28 July 2023). "Bollywood film 'Bawaal' accused of trivializing Holocaust and demeaning victims | CNN Business". CNN. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  44. ↑ "'Ramayana' Rama glimpse: Ranbir Kapoor holds sway as the Lord in Nitesh Tiwari's magnum opus". The Hindu. 2 April 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  45. ↑ "'Ramayana' first glimpse: Ranbir Kapoor on playing Lord Ram: 'He is called Maryada Purushottam, which stands for an ideal man' - WATCH". The Times of India. 31 March 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  46. ↑ ""This Is The First Time In My Career That Aamir Khan Has Said Yes To A Film After The First Narration" – Nitesh Tiwari". Man's World. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  47. ↑ "Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari: Director With A Purpose". Forbes India. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  48. ↑ "Ishwak Singh-Mahima Makwana to star in Bas Karo Aunty: 'Our film captures the mood and zeitgeist of the nation'". The Indian Express. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  49. ↑ "Ranbir Kapoor's Ramayana Part 1 and 2 officially announced: See first poster, check release date details". Hindustan Times. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
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