Nisha Ganatra is a Canadian-American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actress of Indian descent, born on June 25, 1974. She made her mark in independent cinema with her debut feature Chutney Popcorn (1999), which she wrote, directed, and produced. The film, which explored themes of identity, family, and LGBTQ+ relationships within a South Asian context, garnered critical acclaim and marked Ganatra as a unique voice in American indie filmmaking. She followed it up with Cosmopolitan (2003) and Cake (2005), continuing to tell nuanced stories with emotional depth and cultural relevance.
Ganatra has also built a strong presence in television, directing episodes of popular shows such as The Real World, Transparent, You Me Her, Better Things, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Her directorial work on Transparent earned her a 2015 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series, where she also served as a consulting producer during its first season. Through these projects, she became known for her ability to balance humor and heart while bringing underrepresented voices to the screen.
In recent years, Ganatra transitioned into directing major studio films, including the Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling-led Late Night (2019), and The High Note (2020), starring Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson. Both films further demonstrated her skill in blending character-driven narratives with mainstream appeal. With a career that spans independent film, network television, and Hollywood features, Ganatra continues to champion inclusive storytelling and female-driven narratives across genres.
