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
Updated On: 2026-02-23 04:38 PM IST
Compiled by : Athulya Nambiar
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
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)
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
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
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
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)
Rohini Hattangadi
Rohini at the BAFTA ceremony in the 1980s as she happily posed with her award
Guneet Monga
Won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film as a producer for The Elephant Whisperers (2022)
Kartiki Gonsalves
Won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film as the director of The Elephant Whisperers (2022)
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)
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)
Payal Kapadia
After winning the Grand Prix, Payal was invited back to the festival as a jury member
