Farhan Akhtar's assistant directs Anil Kapoor

Nitya Mehra works on five episodes of the Indian version of a US TV series; impresses Kapoor, Abhinay Deo. The former assistant director (AD) to names like Farhan Akhtar, Ang Lee and Mira Nair.

An increasing number of women are moving behind the camera in India. The latest one is Nitya Mehra. The former assistant director (AD) to names like Farhan Akhtar, Ang Lee (on Life Of Pi; 2012) and Mira Nair, she has now directed around five episodes of Anil Kapoor’s TV series, 24. This is the Indian adaptation of the hit American drama.

Farhan-Akhtar

"Nitya has directed a few episodes for us. Everything was done under the supervision of Abhinay sir (Deo; the director of the series). It was a big thing for Nitya to direct an actor of Anil sir’s stature. But she didn’t show any nervousness. She impressed everyone with her vision and control,” says an insider from the unit.

In the past, Nitya has worked as an AD on films such as Lakshya (2004), Don (2006) and The Namesake (2006), among others. "Abhinay and Anil sir trusted her for the episodes because they knew she could do justice to them. And they were not disappointed with the results. Kapoor, especially, is impressed,” adds the unit member.

Last year, it was reported that producer-director Goldie Behl was set to launch Nitya with a youth-centric film. Now, the buzz is rife that Excel Entertainment (co-owned by Farhan) might give Nitya her maiden directorial film project.

Despite repeated attempts, Kapoor couldn’t be reached for a comment.