Deepa Mehta

Filmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter

Canadian Amritsar, Punjab, India

Quick Info

ProfessionFilmmaker, Producer, Screenwriter
NationalityCanadian
Date of Birth15/09/1950
Age75 years
BirthplaceAmritsar, Punjab, India

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Bio/Wiki

Profession(s)
  • Filmmaker
  • Producer
  • Screenwriter

Physical Stats & More

Height165 cm (5' 5")
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolWelham Girls High School, Dehradun
College/UniversityUniversity of New Delhi
DegreeBachelor's and Master's degree in Philosophy

Personal Life

Religious ViewsHinduism
Food HabitNon-Vegetarian

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Marriage Date1970
Spouse
  • Paul Saltzman (m.1970 - div. 1983)
  • David Hamilton
ChildrenDevyani Saltzman (from first husband)
Parents
FatherSatwinder Mehta (film distributor)
MotherVimla
Siblings
  • Dilip Mehta (Indo-Canadian photojournalist)
  • Ritu Kumar (Fashion Designer)

Career

Debut
Film
DirectorSam & Me (1991)
ProducerMartha, Ruth and Edie (1988)
WriterFire (1996)
ActorJurm (1990) as 'cameo'
TV
DirectorSpread Your Wings (1976–1981) (4 episodes); Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (1992, 1994)
Executive ProducerSpread Your Wings (1976–1981) (13 episodes)
WriterSpread Your Wings (1976–1981) (episode 'Child of the Andes')
ActorFor the Record (1983) as 'Ranjeet Singh' (episode 'Reasonable Force')
Documentary
DirectorAt 99: A Portrait of Louise Tandy Murch (1975)
ProducerK.Y.T.E.S: How We Dream Ourselves (1986)
WriterK.Y.T.E.S: How We Dream Ourselves (1986)
Awards
  • Anatomy of Violence: Outstanding Achievement in International Cinema (2016) Beeba Boys: Clyde Gilmour Award (2015) Midnight’s Children: DGC Team Award – Feature Film (2013) Heaven on Earth: Muhr AsiaAfrica Award: Best Scriptwriter – Feature (2008) Water: Outstanding Achievement in International Cinema (2007), Silver Mirror Award – Best Feature (2006), Humanitarian Award (2006), Audience Award – Best Narrative Feature (2006), Arte Award (2006), Best Director – Canadian Film (2006), Best Foreign Movie by or About Women (2006), Honorary Director Award (2005), Youth Jury Award (2005) Bollywood/Hollywood: DGC Team Award – Feature Film (2003), Best Screenplay, Original (2003), Student Jury Award (2003), Audience Award – Best Comedy (2003) Fire: Best Feature Film (1997), Outstanding Narrative Feature (1997), Best Film (1997), Special Prize of the Jury (1996), Most Popular Canadian Film (1996) Miscellaneous: Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film (2007 Academy Awards), Honorary doctorates from five Canadian universities, Named one of Canada’s Top 100 most powerful women (2011), Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award Winner (2009), Global Leadership Award (2011), Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (2012), Named to the Order of Ontario and appointed to the Order of Canada (2013), Inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame (2016), Lifetime Achievement Award at the Canadian Screen Awards (2019) in Toronto, The Life of Distinction Award from the Canadian Centre of Diversity (2011), The Excellence in the Arts Award from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (2011), YWCA Women of Distinction Award (2008)
  • Anatomy of Violence: Outstanding Achievement in International Cinema (2016) Beeba Boys: Clyde Gilmour Award (2015) Midnight's Children: DGC Team Award – Feature Film (2013) Heaven on Earth: Muhr AsiaAfrica Award: Best Scriptwriter – Feature (2008) Water: Outstanding Achievement in International Cinema (2007), Silver Mirror Award – Best Feature (2006), Humanitarian Award (2006), Audience Award – Best Narrative Feature (2006), Arte Award (2006), Best Director – Canadian Film (2006), Best Foreign Movie by or About Women (2006), Honorary Director Award (2005), Youth Jury Award (2005), Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film (2006) Bollywood/Hollywood: DGC Team Award – Feature Film (2003), Genie Award for Best Screenplay, Original (2003), Student Jury Award (2003), Audience Award – Best Comedy (2003) Fire: Best Feature Film (1997), Outstanding Narrative Feature (1997), Best Film (1997), Special Prize of the Jury (1996), Most Popular Canadian Film (1996) Funny Boy: Best Director – Canadian Screen Awards (2021) Miscellaneous: Honorary doctorates from five Canadian universities, Named one of Canada's Top 100 most powerful women (2011), Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award Winner (2009), Global Leadership Award (2011), Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement (2012), Named to the Order of Ontario and appointed to the Order of Canada (2013), Inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame (2016), Lifetime Achievement Award at the Canadian Screen Awards (2019) in Toronto, The Life of Distinction Award from the Canadian Centre of Diversity (2011), The Excellence in the Arts Award from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (2011), YWCA Women of Distinction Award (2008)

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Deepa Mehta is a renowned Indo-Canadian filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer.
2. She is the co-founder of Hamilton-Mehta Productions.
3. Mehta is internationally acclaimed for her films that address sensitive societal issues.
4. Born in Amritsar, she was raised amidst the influences of the partition.
5. Inspired by Indian commercial cinema and renowned international directors like Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Truffaut, and Godard.
6. She has directed successful films including the 'Elements Trilogy' (Fire, Earth, Water) and 'Midnight’s Children'.
7. Mehta is known for her focus on making women-centric films.
8. She moved to Toronto in 1973 after marrying Canadian filmmaker Paul Saltzman.
9. Her documentary 'I Am Sirat' premiered in 2024, following a transgender woman living a double life in India.
10. She collaborated with author Salman Rushdie on the screenplay for 'Midnight's Children'.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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