1. Vijaya Nirmala - She entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the only woman director to have wielded the megaphone for 44 films.
2. Zoya Akhtar - Successful director of films like Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do, Gully Boy, etc.,
3. Shonali Bose - Margarita with a Straw is a heartwarming film about lesbians. Though Shonali Bose made limited movies so far, they are revolutionary.
4. Deepa Mehta - Director of some beautiful films like Fire, Earth, Water, Midnight's Children
5. Sudha Kongara - The National award-winning director with Soorarai Pottru. She made a mark with Irudhi Suttru as well.
6. Nandini Reddy - Again another female South Indian director with feel-good films like Ala Modalaindi, Kalyana Vaibhogame, etc.,
7. Gauri Shinde - Can anyone forget the super successful English Vinglish
8. Anjali Menon - Screenwriter for Ustaad Hotel and directed the evergreen Bangalore Days