Bhanu Athaiya

Who is Bhanu Athaiya?

Bhanu Athaiya née Rajopadhye is Indian cinema's most well-regarded costume designer, having worked in over 100 films, since 1950s, with noted filmmakers like Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowariker, and international directors like Conrad Rooks and Richard Attenborough.

She made her debut as a film costume designer with the film C.I.D. in 1956, and followed it up with other Guru Dutt classics like Pyaasa, Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. In her career spanning 50 years she has received numerous awards. She won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work in the 1982 film, Gandhi. She became the first Indian to win an Academy Award. She also won two National Film Awards, in 1991 and 2002.

In March 2010, Athaiya released her book The Art of Costume Design, published by Harper Collins. On January 13, 2013, Athaiya presented a copy of the book to the Dalai Lama.

On February 23, 2012, it was reported that Athaiya wished to return her Academy Award to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences because she felt that her family will not be able to take care of the trophy after her demise. On December 15, 2012, it was confirmed that the trophy had been returned to The Academy.