In his five-year career, actor Aparshakti Khurrana has worked with a host of women directors. In 2018, filmmaker Leena Yadav cast Aparshakti in Rajma Chawal, a slice-of-life film. The actor’s performance was closely sketched and moulded by the director. In 2019, Aparshakti appeared in Ruka Ruka, a music single with singer Shalmali. The music video was directed by Ukrainian director Dar Gai and captured the relationship crisis between a young couple in a hyper-connected world.  

A while back, Aparshakti shot for an anthology and one of the directors on that anthology is Nitya Mehra of Made In Heaven and Baar Baar Dekho fame. He was also directed by filmmaker-writer Tahira Kashyap when he turned singer, composer and lyricist with the music video Kudiye Ni. 

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Aparshakti says that working with female directors has been an enriching experience for him. “I have had the good fortune of working with these women directors. They are more sensitive when they tell a story and there is a different vibe on their sets.”

Talking about his directors, he says, "Leena is a keen observer and understands the complexities of human behaviour very well. Dar Gai was amazing to work with. We had a relevant storyline but it was her vision and aesthetics that made Ruka Ruka a visual spectacle."

Aparshakti adds, “As for Nitya, I’m a big fan of Made In Heaven, especially her episode. So, when I got the chance to be directed by her, I was really excited. She is extremely warm and calm and that reflects in her work. I have known Tahira bhabhi for a long time now. I love her way of organic storytelling and With her, work never felt like work; it was like a vacation. Plus she has a very keen eye for emotions.”