Ashim Ahluwalia's journey in filmmaking began with his studies at Bard College in New York, where he honed his craft in the art of film. His directorial debut, John & Jane, premiered at the prestigious Toronto and Berlin Film Festivals in 2006, marking a significant milestone in his career. This groundbreaking film was the first Indian production to be released theatrically by HBO Films, paving the way for future Indian filmmakers.
Ahluwalia's subsequent feature, Miss Lovely, made its world premiere at the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival in 2012. His third film, Daddy, opened on 2000 screens worldwide on September 8th, 2017, showcasing his versatility as a director.
In addition to his feature films, Ahluwalia has also made a name for himself in the world of short films. His Super 8 production, Events in a Cloud Chamber, premiered at the 73rd Venice Film Festival in the Classics section and has since been showcased at the BFI London Film Festival and the Museum of Modern Art in New Directors/New Films.
Ahluwalia's work has not gone unnoticed, and he has received numerous accolades throughout his career. In 2013, he was awarded the Charles Flint Kellogg Award in Arts and Letters from Bard College, recognizing his significant contribution to artistic or literary heritage. During the same year, he was selected to serve on the jury of the 8th edition of the Rome Film Festival.
Ahluwalia is a trailblazer in the Indian film industry, being the only director to have had his work premiere in the official selections of the Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, and SXSW film festivals. Sight and Sound's Jonathan Romney has described Ahluwalia as "a very impressive talent."
Phaidon Press has also recognized Ahluwalia's talent, naming him "one of the ten best-emerging film directors working today" in their publication "Take 100: The Future of Film."
Ahluwalia's latest project is the 8-episode series CLA$$, produced for Netflix, which explores the lives of ultra-wealthy high school students in New Delhi. Released in February 2023, the series has received widespread acclaim and was rated the No 1 show in over 22 countries.
