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Namrata Joshi Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

ProfessionJournalist, Film Critic, Associate Programmer, Author

NationalityIndian

Marital statusUnmarried

Namrata Joshi Biography

Namrata Joshi is an Indian journalist, established film critic and associate programmer known for her long tenure at Outlook and contributions to major d­-

Early life and background

Namrata Joshi trained in English literature and journalism, studying English at the University of Delhi and later completing a certificate course in film appreciation at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. She also earned a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Times Centre for Media Studies in New Delhi. Those academic steps provided the foundation for a career centered on film criticism and journalism.

Career

Joshi built her career in mainstream Indian journalism, moving into film criticism and editorial roles. She spent a substantial period at Outlook, where she served in senior editorial positions and was on staff for roughly sixteen years. After Outlook, she worked with The Hindu (Mumbai edition) from 2015 into 2020 as an associate editor focused on cinema and as a film critic.

Beyond those long-term affiliations, Joshi has contributed work to a broad range of publications and outlets. Her bylines and contributions appear across Indian and international media, including The Guardian, The Wire (India), Al Jazeera, The Print, Deccan Herald, DZone, OPEN, Silverscreen India, NewsClick, National Herald India, Firstpost, Mint, Dawn and Khaleej Times. Those engagements reflect a career that spans feature writing, criticism and commentary on cinema and its wider cultural impact.

Film festival work, jury roles and programming

Alongside journalism, Joshi has been active in the film festival circuit. She serves as an associate programmer at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) and has been invited to serve on juries at several international festivals. Her jury credits include the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and festivals such as the Kerala International Film Festival, the Cluj Transilvania International Film Festival, the Moscow International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Writing and authorship

Joshi has extended her critical practice into long-form work. In July 2019 she published a 250-page book titled Reel India: Cinema off the Beaten Track, which examines cinema beyond mainstream currents and looks at the relationship between films and society.

Public profile

Namrata Joshi is widely recognized in India as a leading film critic. She received the National Film Award for Best Film Critic in 2004. Her public persona includes engagement with food and travel; she shares photographs of dishes and destinations on social media. Personal touches that appear publicly include references to favourite foods, a fondness for the city of Budapest and mentions of a pet dog named Maggy.

Personal life

Joshi is Indian by nationality and is listed as unmarried. Physical details noted in public profiles include a height of approximately 161 cm (5'3"), dark brown eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. Her dietary preference is described on her social accounts as eggitarian.

Latest updates

Recent public activity includes her continuing role in festival programming and maintaining an active presence as a critic and commentator. Her book Reel India, released in 2019, remains a recent major project that highlights her interest in how cinema reflects and shapes social life.
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Recent Work

Reel India: Cinema off the Beaten Track

A 250-page book exploring cinema beyond mainstream currents and its societal impact, launched on 20 July 2019.

2019
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Career Highlights

  1. Senior editorial roles at Outlook, where she worked for about sixteen years
  2. Associate Editor (Cinema) and film critic at The Hindu (Mumbai edition) from 2015 to 2020
  3. National Film Award for Best Film Critic (2004)
  4. Associate Programmer at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA)
  5. Served on juries for FIPRESCI and multiple international film festivals
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Namrata Joshi known for?

Journalist, Film Critic, Associate Programmer, Author

What is Namrata Joshi’s marital status?

Unmarried