P. Sheshadri

P. Sheshadri (born 23 November 1963) is an Indian film director who works in Kannada cinema. He is known for his films Munnudi, Atithi, Beru, Tutturi, Vimukthi, Bettada Jeeva, Bharath Stores and December-1. He has also worked as a director in various television serials.[1]

P. Sheshadri
Born (1963-11-23) 23 November 1963
Dandinashivara, Tumkur, Mysore State (now Karnataka), India
OccupationFilm director
Websitehttp://www.psheshadri.com/

Sheshadri became the first director to win a National Film Award eight times consecutively when his film December-1 won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada and the National Film Award for Best Screenplay.[2][3][4]

Early life and education
Parents of P. Sheshadri

Sheshadri was born on 23 November 1963 in the village of Dandinashivara in Karnataka to Pattabhiramaiah, a primary school teacher, and Kamalamma. He is the youngest of four siblings.[2] He completed his Master's degree in Kannada literature and also received a Diploma in journalism.

P. Sheshadri, with wife and son

Career

Before 1990: Journalism

Sheshadri began his career working at Navakarnataka Prakashana, a publishing house, where he designed cover pages for the publication.[2] His next job was at Suddi Sangaati, a Kannada weekly. He wrote film reviews and features on films during his time there which provided him an opportunity to understand the Kannada film industry. He began attending film festivals where he was exposed to world cinema for the first time. This inspired him to make his own films.[2]

P. Sheshadri, V.Manohar at a ceremony
P. Sheshadri (first in second row), V.Manohar (third in second row) and Bolwar Mahammad Kunhi (fourth in second row)

1990–1995: Entry into films

Sheshadri started working in films and television by writing scripts and assisting the established Kannada film director T. S. Nagabharana.[2]

1995–2000: Working in television

Sheshadri began to direct television serials as a way to earn a living. His first serial was Inchara in 1995 followed by Kamanabillu and Kathegaara in 1996 and Maayamriga in 1999.

2000–present: First film and directorial career

During the 31st International Film Festival of India in New Delhi in 2000, Sheshadri watched the Malayalam film Karunam which had won the Best Feature Film award at the festival. He learnt during a conversation with the film's director that it was made on a budget of ₹1 million. This gave him the confidence that a film could be made with a small budget.[2]

Sheshadri then decided to adapt Bolwar Mahammad Kunhi's book Muttuchera into a film titled Munnudi. He approached numerous producers assuring them he could make the film on a budget of ₹1 million but he was turned down by all of them and was also told that no Hindus would watch the film as all the characters in the story are Muslims and no Muslims would watch the film either since the story speaks up against their beliefs.[2]

It was at this point that the idea to finance the film in a cooperative model struck him and he approached his friends from the film industry who each agreed to invest ₹100,000 each into the project. Munnudi ended up making a profit of ₹1 million at the end of its run.[2]

Sheshadri and his friends decided to invest those profits into making his next film titled Atithi which starred Prakash Raj in the lead role. Sheshadri has continued to use this cooperative model and has financed five of his films using this method.[2]

Filmography

Films
Year Title
2000 Munnudi
2002 Atithi
2004 Beru
2005 Thutturi
2008 Vimukthi
2010 Bettada Jeeva
2012 Bharath Stores
2014 December-1
2015 Vidaaya
2017 Beti
2018 Mookajjiya Kanasugalu
2019 Mohandas

Television
Year Title
1995 Inchara
1996 Kamanabillu
1996–1997 Kathegaara
1999–2000 Maayamriga
2000–2001 Nikshepa
2001–2002 Kannaamuchaale
2003 Uyyale
2003–2004 Subbanna
2005–2006 Mounaraaga
2008–2009 Suprabhatha
2012 Chakrateertha
2015 Saakshi

Awards
Sheshadri receiving the Roopakala Award, 2011

National Film Awards
Year Film Category
2000 Munnudi Best Film on Other Social Issues
2001 Atithi Best Feature Film in Kannada
2004 Beru
2005 Thutturi Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation
2008 Vimukthi Best Feature Film in Kannada
2010 Bettada Jeeva Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation
2012 Bharath Stores Best Feature Film in Kannada
2013 December-1 Best Feature Film in Kannada
Best Original Screenplay

Karnataka State Film Award
Year Film Category Ref
2000-01 Munnudi Special Film of Social Concern
2012 Bharath Stores Second Best Film
2014 Vidaaya Best Screenplay [6]
2018 Mookajjiya Kanasugalu Best Screenplay [7][8]
life time achievements Puttanna Kanagal Award [9]

Dhaka International Film Festival
Year Film Category
2006 Thutturi Children's Film: Best Audience Award

References
  1. Rajapur, V S (23 January 2010). "P. Sheshadri wins fifth National Award". Now Running. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  2. "Setting a new benchmark". The Hindu. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  3. "National Awards for Bharath Stores". The New Indian Express. 19 March 2013.
  4. "Producers lack interest in artistic films: Sheshadri". The Hindu. The Hindu Group. 5 December 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  5. "KARNATAKA STATE FILM AWARDS 2018: RAGHAVENDRA RAJKUMAR AND MEGHANA RAJ BAG TOP HONOURS; CHECK OUT ALL WINNERS". bangalore mirror. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  6. After national honour, 'Harivu' bags top State film award
  7. "KARNATAKA STATE FILM AWARDS 2018: RAGHAVENDRA RAJKUMAR AND MEGHANA RAJ BAG TOP HONOURS; CHECK OUT ALL WINNERS". bangalore mirror. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  8. "Karnataka State Film Awards 2018: Raghavendra Rajkumar and Meghana Raj Bag Top Honours". News18. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  9. "KARNATAKA STATE FILM AWARDS 2018: RAGHAVENDRA RAJKUMAR AND MEGHANA RAJ BAG TOP HONOURS; CHECK OUT ALL WINNERS". bangalore mirror. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
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