Aarti Bajaj

Aarti Bajaj is a prominent Indian film editor, popular for working in films like Jab We Met, in 2007, and the psychological thriller film, ‘Aamir’, in 2008, from where she earned her second nomination at the Star Screen Awards. She was also notable for her work in the blockbuster musical romantic drama film, ‘Rockstar’, in 2011, and ‘Highway’, in 2014. She got married to film actor, producer and director, Anurag Kashyap, in the year 2003, but they got a divorce in 2009. They have one daughter named Aliyah. She edited almost all the films of Kashyap, except for Bombay Velvet. 

Aarti has a strong passion for films, and this is the reason she decided to move from Delhi to Mumbai and pursue her dreams. In 1994, she took a film and video production course at the Xavier Institute of Communications in Mumbai. She had internships with prominent editors, Shyam Ramanna and Bardroy Barretto, and this captivated her in the editing console. Aarti also started working in several ads and music videos. It took her eight years to establish herself in the industry and become an independent film editor. 

Aarti started editing an unreleased crime thriller film called ‘Paanch’. This was followed with an acclaimed crime thriller film, Black Friday, in 2007. She earned a nomination for Best Editing at the Star Screen Awards for her brilliant work in this movie. 

Aarti also worked as an editor in the Bollywood comedy drama film, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Limited, in 2007. She is also the editor of the romantic black comedy drama film, Dev D, and the political drama film, ‘Gulaal’, in 2009. Both films were also helmed by Anurag Kashyap. Aarti also worked as a film editor on films like No Smoking, ‘Maharathi’, Karthik Calling Karthik, Mumbai Cutting, Do Dooni Chaar, No One Killed Jessica, ‘Ishaqzaade’, ‘Ugly’, and Revolver Rani, as well as the newly released romantic drama film, ‘Tamasha’, which stars Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. 

Besides her exceptional work as an editor, she was juggling with her demanding career and her role as a mother to Aliyah. Her organizational skills have been a great help to balance her private and professional life. Aside from that, she still managed to continue her passion for photography and made time to travel with her daughter. Her passion for film editing is allowing her to overcome all the barriers along her way. Aarti is completely in love with her work.