Biography

Kabir Mehta is an award-winning film director and screenwriter.

Mehta directed Season 1 of 'Class', a Netflix original series that explores the lives of three working-class students entering an elite, scandal-ridden high school through a scholarship program. Class, the official adaptation of the Spanish series 'Elite', was the #1 show in India for eight weeks and ranked in the "Top 10" across multiple international territories.

His debut feature, 'Buddha.mov', is a hybrid non-fiction film about a flamboyant pro-cricketer who grants unrestricted access to the most private aspects of his life, from racing sports cars to intimate encounters with supermodels. The film premiered at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, followed by its Indian premiere at the Mumbai Film Festival, and enjoyed a successful run on the international festival circuit. 'Buddha.mov' received critical acclaim from international media, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it "Racy, revealing, and hilariously deadpan!" It also garnered praise from Indian media, with Film Companion recognizing Mehta as one of the top disruptors in Indian entertainment in 2019. The film was later released globally on MUBI.

Mehta's first short film, 'Sadhu in Bombay', presents a mockumentary-style portrait of a former ascetic transformed by urban life. It premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival and won several awards, including Best Film at the Ann Arbor Film Festival, the European Media Art Festival, and Mammoth Lakes Film Festival. The film was released on both MUBI and The Slamdance Channel. Mehta's short films have also screened at Chicago Underground, Winterthur, Kassel Dokfest, and Dharamshala Film Festival.

In 2023, Mehta directed all eight episodes of Netflix's Class, gaining recognition for bringing an authentic portrayal of privilege and social dynamics. His journey into filmmaking began unexpectedly after winning a student competition at Delhi University. A pivotal experience in Mumbai exposed Mehta to the world of avant-garde cinema, where he honed his craft and began developing his own distinctive voice.

Mehta balances his love for intimate independent cinema with larger-scale commercial projects. His approach reflects an interest in immersive storytelling that merges personal experiences with broader societal themes.

Mehta is an alumnus of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and holds a degree from the University of Delhi.
- IMDb mini biography by: Anonymous