Govind Nihalani, director and cinematographer, is a towering figure of India's parallel cinema movement. A recipient of five Filmfare Awards and six National Film Awards, his career spans over five decades with landmark films such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Kalyug and Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, among others. Filmfare's Editor-In-Chief Jitesh Pillaai revisits his filmography, unpacking his craft and offering insight into a body of work that remains deeply influential. In Jitesh Pillaai's own words: He could be the sledgehammer or he could be silent, like Nishant.