Nitesh Tiwari is a prominent Indian film director, screenwriter, and lyricist, widely recognized for his impactful contributions to Bollywood. Born on May 22, 1973, in Madhya Pradesh, Tiwari graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 1996 with a degree in Metallurgy and Material Science Engineering. Before transitioning to filmmaking, he worked in advertising industry for 18 years.
Nitesh Tiwari Age
Nitesh Tiwari was born on 22 May 1972. As of 2024, he is 52 years old.
Nitesh Tiwari Biography
| Full Name | Nitesh Tiwari |
| Date of Birth | 22 May 1972 |
| Birth Place | Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 75 kgs (approx.) |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Education | Graduation from IIT Bombay |
| Profession | Director, Producer, Writer |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Social Media | Instagram, X, Facebook |
Nitesh Tiwari Family
Nitesh Tiwari is married to Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, who is also a well-regarded filmmaker and writer. She is his former colleague from Leo Burnett. The couple is famous for heartfelt storytelling and social message oriented movies. Nitesh and Ashwiny are parents to twins, son Amaarisa and daughter Aaradhya, who are the apple of their eyes.
| See also: Rasha Thadani Biography |
Nitesh Tiwari Early Life & Career
Tiwari grew up in Ganj Basoda, a small town in Madhya Pradesh. His interest in storytelling emerged during his school years at Bharat Mata Convent School, where he participated in a play titled Tapori – Mughal-e-Azam. The exposure ignited his passion for stories, drama and performance. Later, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy and Material Science Engineering from the prestigious IIT Bombay, graduating in the year 1996. Despite his technical background, Tiwari was drawn to the arts, which he explored through writing and directing plays during his college years.
After completing his education, Tiwari briefly worked at a software company. He later switched to advertising by working as a copywriter at FCB Ulka, Lowe Lintas before finally setting to Leo Burnett, where he served as Chief Creative Officer for over a decade. His 18 year experience in advertising honed his storytelling skills, which later proved to be pivotal in his filmmaking career.
In 2011, Tiwari made his directorial debut with Chillar Party in 2011, a children’s film that won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film. He followed this success by directing Bhoothnath Returns in 2014. His next film Dangal came in 2016; based on the true story of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat training his daughters, that catapulted him to fame. The film became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, particularly successful in China. In 2019, Tiwari directed Chhichhore, a film that resonated with audiences for its themes of friendship, failures and resilience against societal pressures. In 2023, he directed movie Bawaal that was released on Amazon Prime.
Looking ahead, Tiwari is definitely going to be a part of some more exciting projects. His latest announced project is the ambitious adaptation of the Ramayana, with plans for its release during Diwali 2026 and 2027.
Nitesh Tiwari Income & Net Worth
As of 2024, Nitesh Tiwari’s estimated net worth is around 70 crores which is going to rise with his involvement in high-budget projects like the movie Ramayana, which has reportedly a budget of ₹800 crore.
His major income sources are his direction & screenwriting gigs and production company.
Nitesh Tiwari Awards
Nitesh Tiwari Controversies
The most significant controversy arose from Tiwari’s film Bawaal, which features Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor. The film includes a scene between lead couple discussing Auschwitz, which sparked backlash for its perceived insensitivity. Critics argued that the film trivialized the Holocaust by comparing personal relationship struggles to the horrors of World War II. Specific lines, such as “Every relationship goes through its Auschwitz,” and “We are all little like Hitler” were particularly criticized, leading to accusations of being “far-fetched and insensitive”.
Nitesh Tiwari defended the film in an interview, stating that it was created with “love, care, and good intentions.” He emphasized that the characters’ emotional responses to their experiences at Auschwitz were meant to highlight their development rather than to be disrespectful.
Conclusion
Nitesh Tiwari is a master storyteller with an amazing combination of directorial skills. His journey from engineering to filmmaking reflects his passion for storytelling and creative expression, making him a significant figure in contemporary Indian cinema.
FAQs
Nitesh Tiwari is married to Ashwini Iyer Tiwari who is also a director and producer.
Nitesh Tiwari is the director of upcoming Ramayana which is going to be one of the costliest Indian film.
He is a graduate from IIT Bombay with a degree in Metallurgy and Material Science Engineering.
Nitesh Tiwari owns a production house Earthsky Pictures with his wife.
Nitesh Tiwari’s upcomg movies are Ramayana Part 1 and part 2 to be released on Diwali in 2026 and 2027.