Deepa Bhatia

Deepa’s breakthrough project is the documentary series First Act.

After a career as an editor spanning 30 years (with credits including Kai po che! and documentary Sachin – A Billion Dreams) Deepa Bhatia has moved into directing. After a gap of more than a decade between her first stint in the director’s chair, documentary Nero’s Guests (2011, Arte), she wrote and directed the six-part Amazon Prime docu-series First Act (2023). While both films are very different in content, they both illustrate Deepa’s thoughtful approach to tackling challenging subject matters, using her art to sensitively portray strong social stories.

Nero’s Guests reveals the challenges facing India’s agrarian communities and premiered at the IDFA Festival, before going on to win the FIPRESCI award at the Mumbai International Film Festival. Meanwhile, First Act follows the journeys and experiences of child actors in India’s screen industries and explores the extreme pressures they feel from their families and the industry to succeed.

Deepa is also a producer, with five credits to her name.

In their own words…

“I am surprised, but really happy and honoured to be part of BAFTA Breakthrough. It’s come at the right juncture; after years of editing, I returned to directing with First Act. Going forward, I am really itching to do different things, to broaden my horizons and interact with diverse minds. So, this ‘breakthrough’ is just what I needed and wanted. At a time when I am writing my first feature, every creatively stimulating encounter will go a long way. I’m grateful to BAFTA and I look forward to all this experience has to offer.”