MODHURA PALIT

Modhura Palit (ISC) is an Indian cinematographer and director based in Kolkata, celebrated for her masterful visual storytelling across both critical and commercial cinema. She made history at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival by becoming the first Indian to receive the prestigious Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography (Special Encouragement Award for promising cinematographers).

An alumna of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Modhura has continuously expanded her craft globally. She is an active member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC), the Indian Women Cinematographers Collective (IWCC), and the Eastern India Cinematographers Association (EICA). Her international footprint includes participation in the Busan Asian Film Academy (AFA), the 2015 Looking China Youth Film Project, and the Berlinale Talents 2023 under the Berlin International Film Festival.

Her exceptional eye for lighting and composition has earned her numerous accolades. Beyond Cannes, she is the recipient of the prestigious Shera Bangali Award for Cinema in 2024, presented by ABP Ananda. She has also received the PESGSPC Honorary Membership for Outstanding Contribution to International Art Photography and the PESGSPC Grand Progress Award by FIAP. Furthermore, she has served on the Jury board for the ImagineIndia International Film Festival in Madrid.

With a profound understanding of visual language, Modhura has lensed over 40 short films, television commercials, documentaries, and feature films. Her versatile portfolio includes visually striking works such as Ami O Manohar, Bahadur: The Brave, Amar Colony, Tekka, Kishmish, Dilkhush, Naxalbari, Ek Duaa, Rikshawala, Dabaru, Kacher Manush, Kothamrito, The PaperBoy, and Aator. Expanding her expertise into new mediums, she also served as the Director of Photography for the ambitious animated series Kurukshetra, currently streaming on Netflix. Notably, the experimental feature film Watchmaker, which she shot, is included in the film studies curriculum at Dhaka University. The projects she has shaped have won multiple awards in India and at prestigious international film festivals worldwide.

Expanding her creative horizons beyond lens work, Modhura recently made her directorial debut helming the episode Troilokyo for the Bengali true-crime anthology series Ganoshotru, streaming on ZEE5. This exciting new venture marks a significant evolution in her storytelling journey as she steps confidently into the director’s chair.

As the most prolific female cinematographer currently working in Eastern India, Modhura is a trailblazer championing the inclusion of more women in technical filmmaking roles. Through her extensive on-set work, academic engagements, and masterclasses, she continues to inspire the next generation of visual storytellers while pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema.

More Info: https://www.modhurapalit.com/