Navroze Contractor was a pioneering Indian cinematographer, photographer, director, writer, and teacher — truly a man of many parts. Best known for his exceptional work in both feature and documentary films, he was a prominent figure in India’s New Wave cinema. A graduate of FTII Pune, he also trained internationally in the US and Japan.

Beyond his visual artistry, Navroze was a co-founder of Yugantar, India’s first feminist film collective, and collaborated deeply with his partner, filmmaker Deepa Dhanraj, on pathbreaking documentaries exploring gender, caste, and communal issues. He also directed memorable documentaries like Bharat Parikrama and Jhadu Katha.

An accomplished still photographer, his work is housed in the Smithsonian and Tate Modern, and he remained a mentor and motorcycle enthusiast till the very end .