The most influential Indian filmmaker of recent times with a superlative career including more than 50 films as a Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Editor and Actor. He was awarded the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letter by the French Government . His work continues to be acclaimed globally starting with the Grand Jury Prize for Black Friday at IFFLA 2005, and a nomination at Locarno film Festival that year. In the coming years, 3 of his directorial films had Director Fortnight Premieres, at Cannes, including Gangs of Wasseypur, Ugly & Raman Raghav 2.0.

He has produced many acclaimed films like the BAFTA nominated The Lunchbox, and the Un Certain Regard premiered Udaan and Masaan and Peddlers at the International Critics Week at Cannes.