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Home / Entertainment / Bollywood News / Photos / From BAFTA to Oscars: Indian women who brought global glory home

From BAFTA to Oscars: Indian women who brought global glory home

Updated On: 23 February, 2026 04:38 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar

Indian women have steadily carved a powerful presence on the global stage, winning some of the world’s most prestigious honours — from the Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards to the Grammy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival. Their victories are not just personal milestones but cultural moments that placed Indian storytelling, music, and artistry firmly on the global map. Here’s a look at Indian women who won major honours on these international platforms

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Indian women have steadily carved a powerful presence on the global stage, winning some of the world’s most prestigious honours — from the Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards to the Grammy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival. Their victories are not just personal milestones but cultural moments that placed Indian storytelling, music, and artistry firmly on the global map. Here’s a look at Indian women who won major honours on these international platforms

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Indian women have steadily carved a powerful presence on the global stage, winning some of the world’s most prestigious honours — from the Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards to the Grammy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival. Their victories are not just personal milestones but cultural moments that placed Indian storytelling, music, and artistry firmly on the global map. Here’s a look at Indian women who won major honours on these international platforms
<p><strong>Lakshmipriya Devi</strong></p> <p>As the director of the Manipuri film Boong (2026), she and her team won the BAFTA Award for Best Children&rsquo;s &amp; Family Film</p>

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Lakshmipriya Devi

As the director of the Manipuri film Boong (2026), she and her team won the BAFTA Award for Best Children’s & Family Film

<p><strong>Bhanu Athaiya</strong></p> <p>Made history as the first Indian to win an Academy Award, receiving the Oscar for Best Costume Design for her work on the film Gandhi (1982)</p>

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Bhanu Athaiya

Made history as the first Indian to win an Academy Award, receiving the Oscar for Best Costume Design for her work on the film Gandhi (1982)

<p><strong>Chandrika Tandon</strong></p> <p>An Indian-American musician who won a Grammy at the 67th Grammy Awards (2025) for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for her album Triveni</p>

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Chandrika Tandon

An Indian-American musician who won a Grammy at the 67th Grammy Awards (2025) for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for her album Triveni

<p><strong>Tanvi Shah</strong></p> <p>She holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to win a Grammy Award. She received the award at the 52nd Grammy Awards (2010) in the category of Best Song Written for Visual Media for her contribution as a lyricist for the song Jai Ho from the film Slumdog Millionaire</p>

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Tanvi Shah

She holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to win a Grammy Award. She received the award at the 52nd Grammy Awards (2010) in the category of Best Song Written for Visual Media for her contribution as a lyricist for the song Jai Ho from the film Slumdog Millionaire

<p><strong>Falguni Shah</strong></p> <p>She won a Grammy for Best Children&rsquo;s Music Album for A Colorful World in 2022. She blended Indian classical influences with global sounds, earning international acclaim</p>

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Falguni Shah

She won a Grammy for Best Children’s Music Album for A Colorful World in 2022. She blended Indian classical influences with global sounds, earning international acclaim

<p><strong>Rohini Hattangadi</strong></p> <p>Became the first Indian to win a BAFTA, receiving the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Kasturba Gandhi in the film Gandhi (1982)</p>

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Rohini Hattangadi

Became the first Indian to win a BAFTA, receiving the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Kasturba Gandhi in the film Gandhi (1982)

<p><strong>Rohini Hattangadi</strong></p> <p>Rohini at the BAFTA ceremony in the 1980s as she happily posed with her award</p>

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Rohini Hattangadi

Rohini at the BAFTA ceremony in the 1980s as she happily posed with her award

<p><strong>Guneet Monga</strong></p> <p>Won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film as a producer for The Elephant Whisperers (2022)</p>

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Guneet Monga

Won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film as a producer for The Elephant Whisperers (2022)

<p><strong>Kartiki Gonsalves</strong></p> <p>Won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film as the director of The Elephant Whisperers (2022)</p>

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Kartiki Gonsalves

Won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film as the director of The Elephant Whisperers (2022)

<p><strong>Anasuya Sengupta</strong></p> <p>Made history as the first Indian actress to win the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival (2024) for her performance in the film The Shameless (in the Un Certain Regard segment)</p>

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Anasuya Sengupta

Made history as the first Indian actress to win the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival (2024) for her performance in the film The Shameless (in the Un Certain Regard segment)

<p><strong>Payal Kapadia</strong></p> <p>A trailblazing filmmaker who became the first Indian woman director to have a film in the Cannes main competition. Her film All We Imagine as Light (2024) won the prestigious Grand Prix award. She also previously won the Golden Eye (L`&OElig;il d`or) for her documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing (2021)</p>

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Payal Kapadia

A trailblazing filmmaker who became the first Indian woman director to have a film in the Cannes main competition. Her film All We Imagine as Light (2024) won the prestigious Grand Prix award. She also previously won the Golden Eye (L`Œil d`or) for her documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing (2021)

<p><strong>Payal Kapadia&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>After winning the Grand Prix, Payal was invited back to the festival as a jury member</p>

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Payal Kapadia 

After winning the Grand Prix, Payal was invited back to the festival as a jury member

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