Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari Celebrates 9 Years Of ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ With Nostalgic Post
Filmmaker nears 10 years since debut that reignited her passion for storytelling.
Jehangir Irroni is a filmmaker and creative director with over 18 years of experience in directing ad films, corporate videos, web series, and television shows. As assistant vice president - Videos at IncNut Digital, Jehangir is involved in producing and directing videos and infomercials.
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Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is celebrating a significant milestone in her filmmaking career as her directorial debut ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ completes nine years since its theatrical release. The filmmaker took to Instagram to share her feelings about the journey that began nearly a decade ago.
In her nostalgic Instagram post, Tiwari shared a clip from ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ along with a heartfelt message: “It’s been 9 Years #nilbatteysannata released in theatres. Restarted a dream to be a filmmaker and tell stories with hope. Gratitude for all the love, even today.” The clip shows a scene between Swara Bhasker, who played the lead role of a domestic help aspiring for her daughter to have a better future through education. The critically acclaimed film marked Tiwari’s debut as a director after transitioning from advertising.
The Filmmaker’s Journey
Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s transition to filmmaking came after a successful career in advertising. Before stepping into direction, she worked as Creative Director at Leo Burnett. Her debut film ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ (2016) was a turning point that established her as a storyteller focused on meaningful narratives.
The film, which translates to “Zero Divided by Zero” in Hindi slang (meaning “good for nothing”), tells the story of a single mother who enrolls in the same school as her daughter to inspire her to study. The movie received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship and the importance of education.
Following her successful debut, Tiwari went on to direct other well-received films including ‘Bareilly Ki Barfi’ (2017) starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, and Rajkummar Rao, and ‘Panga’ (2020) featuring Kangana Ranaut. Her work is known for its authentic portrayal of small-town India and strong female characters.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
In another recent post, Tiwari reflected on her entrepreneurial journey with her production house, Earthsky Notes, which she started five years ago. “5 years ago I started out with a dream to tell stories with a purpose of bringing like-minded humans where everyone grow together,” she wrote, explaining how she followed her heart after two decades in the media business.
She founded Earthsky Notes with Varun Shetty, whom she described as her “backbone” in building the company. “I am a director at heart & will always be. Varun balances the untold gap between creativity & economics,” she shared, giving insight into their working relationship.
The production house has worked on various projects, including the recent Dream 11 IPL 2025 campaign directed by her husband Nitesh Tiwari, showcasing their collaborative approach to filmmaking and production.
As Tiwari celebrates nine years since her directorial debut, her journey from advertising to acclaimed filmmaker stands as an inspiration for those looking to transition careers and pursue their creative passions. Her continued focus on meaningful storytelling with social relevance has earned her a distinct place in Indian cinema.
The anniversary of ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ not only marks a personal milestone for Tiwari but also celebrates a film that touched many hearts with its authentic portrayal of a mother’s sacrifices for her daughter’s future—a theme that continues to resonate with audiences today.
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