I struggled to direct my first film: Kiran Rao

Like any other new filmmaker, she struggled to direct a film. Kiran Rao says her experience has taught her that filmmakers, who are swimming against the tide, should stay true to themselves to get recognition. The 39-year-old started her work as an assistant director in Oscar nominated 2001 movie Lagaan and continued the learning process in films like Monsoon Wedding, Saathiya and Swades, before directing her first film Dhobi Ghat in 2010.