Shekhar Kapur is one of the rare directors who have a strong presence both in Indian and Western Cinema. While his films like Masoom and Mr India are considered iconic films of Indian cinema, it was Bandit Queen, presented in Cannes, that brought him international recognition. He then directed Cate Blanchett in her breakthrough film, Elizabeth, which was nominated for 7 Oscars, and went on to direct Heath Ledger in Four Feathers. Cate and Shekhar teamed up again to make their sequel Elizabeth: The Golden Age which got multiple Oscar nominations, including one for Cate. Shekhar, who also writes popular comic books, cocreated the Musical Bombay Dreams with Andrew Lloyd Webber, and is a well known water activist. He is currently engaged in his passion project "Paani" (Water) about the impending water wars in the world.