Nandita Das the dusky beauty is determined to make a mark in quality films. She has come into her own, with her kind of talent and choosy nature. She is the daughter of painter Jatin Das. 

She has debut in Hindi cinema with a controversy film Fire in 1998, which was based on a lesbian relationship. She says that the scenes and situations in Fire were not created to titillate. Rather, she clarifies that the character in Fire enters a lesbian relationship only due to circumstances. The young actress says she has no regrets doing the film. 

After that she has done many Art and Commercial Hindi films. In 1998 her another film was Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa. Then in 1999 Rockford and 1947 Earth opposite Aamir Khan and Rahul Khanna, which was also a contrversial film. Hari Bhari in 2000 and Bawandar in 2001. From Fire to Earth she then goes on to deal with her reflection in Rakesh Mehra's Aks in 2001. Some feel that it is a deliberate effort on her part to get into mainstream cinema. But she is insistent that there is much more substance to her decisions, something we call instinct and gut. Her talent, her attitude and her belief in herself, and the work she does, are the surviving elements that have helped the actress surpass the limitations of a petty mind and claustrophobic thinking. 

In 2002 Lal Salaam and Pitaah. In 2003 she had done a negative role in Supari. The other films were Ek Din 24 Ghante and Bus Yun Hi. 

Nandita Das is into South Indian cinema in a big way. Recently, she played the title role in the Tamil film Azhagi (beautiful girl). She added yet another feather to her cap playing a member of a Tamil militant group in Maniratnam's Kannathil Muthamitaal. She is now acting in Kannagi, a film by the Kerala director Jayraj. 

Nandita has performed in over 30 feature films, in ten different languages, most of which have been showcased in numerous international film festivals and have won her accolades. She has had the honour of being a member of the main jury at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2005 and at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2007. 

Known to never shy away from a controversial issue or an unconventional role, Nandita Das has attracted the attention of artists, critics and film lovers across the globe. She has believed in the role of cinema as a powerful instrument for social change and her choices bear witness to that. She has chosen to be part of stories that are ?not commonly told but are needed to be heard.? 

Nandita has a fiery passion to make a difference, a driving force that underlies the roles she chooses. She believes in using the medium of cinema as a tool for social change, and the commitment with which she campaigns for various causes have won her many admirers across the world. 

Nandita Das has been a featured speaker at various universities and social forums both in India and abroad. As part of her many ways of communicating, she has also directed four public service short films for civil society organizations that were appreciated and awarded at various short film festivals. 

Her recent releases were Marathi film Maati Maay by Chitra Palekar, Mehreen Jabbar's Pakistani film Ramchand Pakistani, that premiered at the Tribeca Festival 2008 in New York and Santosh Sivan's Before the Rains, that premiered at the Toronto Festival and was recently released in the US. 

She is currently working on her directorial debut, 'In Such Times' (Firaaq). It is an ensemble film that deals with the impact of sectarian violence on human psyche and relationships. 

Awards: 

FilmFare Awards 
2003 - Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Nomination) - Film "Filhaal" 
2002 - Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Won) - Film "Biwi No. 1" 

Cairo International Film Festival 
2002 - Best Actress (Nomination) - Film "Bawandar" 

Zee Cine Awards 
2002 - Best Actress (Win) - Film "Aamaar Bhuvan" 

Moxie! Award 
2001 - Best Actress (Win) - Film "Sand" 

Nandi Award 
2006 - Best Actress (Win) - Film "Kamli" 

Name : Nandita Das 
Nick Name : Fire Brand 
Occupation : Actress, Director 
Date of Birth : November 7th, 1969 
Place of Birth : Delhi, India