Bhanu Athaiya made history as the first Indian to win an Academy Award, receiving the Oscar for Best Costume Design in 1982 for her work on Richard Attenborough’s acclaimed film Gandhi. With a career spanning over five decades in the Hindi film industry, she contributed to the visual identity of numerous iconic films and worked with some of the most celebrated directors in Indian cinema. Her meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of period aesthetics earned her international recognition and established her as a pioneer in costume design.

Born as Bhanumati Annasaheb Rajopadhye in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Bhanu Athaiya displayed artistic talent from a young age and began her career as a painter before transitioning to costume design. She was married to Satyendra Athaiya, a poet and lyricist in the Hindi film industry; however, their marriage eventually ended in separation, and she chose not to remarry. Bhanu Athaiya’s legacy continues to inspire generations of designers and filmmakers, both in India and abroad.