Kapur, Shekhar (1945– )

Indian film director. An occasional actor, whose credits include Drishti/Vision (1990) and Nazar/The Gaze (1991), Shekhar Kapur rose to international prominence after directing the controversial Phoolan Devi/Bandit Queen (1994) and Elizabeth (1998). Both films mythologize history, taking real-life figures – Indian outlaw Phoolan Devi and British monarch Elizabeth I respectively – and making entertainment, part fact, part fiction, out of their life stories. Rather than historical documents, these are personal character studies, filmed with great verve and visual style.

Kapur has also proved himself a fine director of actors, eliciting powerful performances from his leads and also from talented supporting players. His other directorial credits include Masoom/Innocent (1983) and Long Way to freedom (1999).