Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari has often been associated with sensitive, women-led narratives, but she is clear that she does not see herself confined to that space. “I’m eager to move beyond the label of a women-oriented filmmaker,” she says, reflecting on how easily the industry and audiences tend to categorise storytellers.

“We often pigeonhole ourselves into categories. Bareilly Ki Barfi was a romcom. It had two strong male characters — so it’s really about the narrative you choose and how others perceive it,” she explains.

For Ashwiny, the tag has more to do with perception than intention. She says, “People often say I haven’t capitalized on my previous films or spoken much about them. But I have made a conscious effort not to limit myself to women-led films. I don’t think breaking that image is difficult.”

Even as she continues to build her own slate of films, Ashwiny harbours the ambition of directing a large-scale, pan-India spectacle, the kind of cinematic event that defines a season. For now, she is closely observing that world through husband and filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari, who is immersed in mounting an ambitious project. He’s directing Ramayana, a highly anticipated Indian mythological action epic scheduled for a 2026 release, featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana.

She added, “He’s been working on it for five years now. Producer Namit Malhotra’s vision deeply influences the director. With my background in art, costume and styling, I contribute ideas, but ultimately, it’s his vision. I’m extremely proud because it takes immense patience, which I’m not sure I have.”