Shankar Shanmugam(born 17 August 1963) is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter, primarily known for his work inTamil cinema.He has also worked inTeluguandHindifilms. Shankar's films are known for addressing contemporarysocial issues,vigilantethemes, and incorporating state-of-the-art technology andvisual effects(VFX) with magnificence. Throughout his career, he has won several awards, including oneNational Film Award,fourFilmfare Award South,and sixTamil Nadu State Film Awards.Additionally, six of his films have won theNational Film Award for Best Special Effects.
S. Shankar | |
|---|---|
 Shankar in 2018 | |
| Born | Shankar Shanmugam 17 August 1963 Kumbakonam,Madras State(present-day Tamil Nadu), India |
| Alma mater | Central Polytechnic College |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, film producer, screenwriter |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouse | Easwari Shankar |
| Children | 3, includingAditi[1] |
Shankar made his debut as a director in the filmGentleman(1993), for which he won theFilmfare Best Director Awardand theTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director.He usually collaborates with composerA. R. Rahman,both having done over 11 films together. Two of his films,Indian(1996) andJeans(1998) were commercially very successful and were submitted byIndia for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film,but neither earned a nomination. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by M. G. R. University.
Shankar'spsychological thrillerAnniyanwas released in 2005 with highly critical and commercial success. After Anniyan, Shankar teamed up withRajinikanthonSivaji(2007), the most expensive Indian film at that time.[2]He again collaborated with Rajinikanth for thescience fictionfilmEnthiran(2010), which again turned out to behighest grossing Tamil filmat that time and also its sequel2.0(2018), is theseventh highest-grossing film in Indiaand thetenth highest-grossing Indian film worldwide.[3][4]It is alsothe highest-grossing Indian film of 2018.
Early life
editShankar was born on 17 August 1963 inKumbakonam,Thanjavur district,Tamil Nadu to Muthulakshmi and Shanmugam. He completed his diploma inmechanical engineeringfromCentral Polytechnic Collegeand worked in an typewriting company before entering the film industry.[5]He was roped into the film industry as a screenwriter byS. A. Chandrasekhar,who accidentally saw the drama stage shows made by Shankar and his team. Though Shankar wanted to be an actor, he chose to be a director instead.[5][6]
Career
edit1985-1990
editShankar was a wannabe actor who, after small and unnoticed roles in two films suchVesham(1985) andPoovum Puyalum(1986), eventually grabbed the opportunity to assist directorsS. A. ChandrasekharandPavithran.[6]He began his career as an actor in the filmsVasantha Raagam(1986),Neethikku Thandanai(1987) andSeetha(1990).
1993-2002
editIn 1993, Shankar made his directional debut throughGentleman,starringArjun Sarjain the lead role. The film was made with a higher-than-average budget inTamil cinemaduring that time. It received a positive response and became ablockbuster.[7]A. R. Rahman,the film's music composer, continued to work with Shankar in his next six directorial ventures.
Shankar's second film,Kadhalan,a romantic thriller film, released the following year and featuredPrabhu Devain the lead role. In 1996, he collaborated withKamal HaasanforIndian.It was dubbed in Hindi asHindustaniandTeluguasBharateeyudu.The film was selected as the country's submission for theAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.FollowingIndian,Shankar began work onJeans,which released in 1998 and became the most expensive film in Indian cinema at that time with a budget of₹200 million. Upon release, it became one of the highest grossing Tamil films of the 1990s. He made his production debut throughMudhalvan(1999), where he collaborated withArjun Sarjafor the second time as lead actor. The film was a hit at the box office.
Shankar opted to remakeMudhalvaninHindiasNayak,thus making hisBollywooddebut.Nayakreleased in September 2001 and was declared aflopbyBox Office Indiadue to its poor marketing, high budget, and distribution price. It went on to gain cult status despite not doing well at the box office.[8][9][10]Shankar started work on his next film, which was supposed to be ascience fiction filmtitledRobotthat was slated to haveKamal Haasanin the lead. The project was stalled since Haasan was busy with other projects. Later, the project could not move forward due to budgeting problems.[11]
2003-2009
editShankar's coming-of-age musical filmBoysreleased in 2003. It received mixed reviews from the critics and audience, resulting in average business. However,A. R. Rahman's soundtrack for the film became a major sensation. On the box office front, the Telugu-dubbed version ofBoyswas a hit inAndhra Pradesh.[12]
Shankar'spsychological thrillerAnniyan,featuringVikramin three distinct characters (Ambi, Remo and Anniyan), was released in 2005. Shankar collaborated with composerHarris Jayarajfor the first time.Anniyanturned out to become the second-highest grossing Tamil film of 2005.
Shortly after the release ofAnniyan,it was reported that Shankar had teamed up with Rajinikanth andAVM Productionsfor a film. He renewed his association withA. R. Rahmanfor the film.Sivajiwas made at a budget of₹600million,[2]themost expensive Indian filmto that point. He was paid a record salary of₹100 million for the film. After two years of filming, the film released in 2007 and ultimately became one of the highest grossing Tamil films of that time.
2010-2018
editFollowingSivaji,Shankar revisited the possibilities of opinion regarding the script ofRobot.He later decided to make the project inTamilwithRajinikanthandAishwarya Rai.The film was produced by South Indianmedia proprietor,Kalanithi Maran,was renamedEnthiran,and was made on a budget of₹1.32billion,which was again the most expensive Indian film to that point. Some reports also make it one of the highest grossing Tamil films of the time.[13][14]
Shankar started to work onNanban,the Tamil remake of the 2009 Hindi film3 IdiotsstarringVijay,JiivaandSrikanth.The film opened in January 2012. AfterNanban,it was wrongly reported that Shankar's next film would be calledTherdal.[15]
On 21 June 2012, Shankar announced his next film titledI.[16]A romantic thriller,Vikramessayed the roles of a bodybuilder, fashion model, and hunchback. It was his second collaboration with Shankar afterAnniyan.Amy Jacksonwas the female lead, collaborating with Vikram for the second time afterThaandavam.The film, made over a period of 2.5 years, released on 14 January 2015 to mixed-to-positive reviews and earned almost₹2 billion in 19 days.[17]
Shankar then started working on2.0,a sequel toEnthiran,which released on 29 November 2018 and received highly mixed reviews. However, it went on to become thehighest-grossing Indian film of 2018as well as theseventh highest-grossing Indian film of all timeat release. To date, the film is still thehighest-grossing Tamil film of all time.
2019-present
editShankar then began work onIndian 2,the sequel toIndian,reuniting with Kamal Haasan. It was produced by Lyca Productions, marking the production company's second collaboration with Shankar after2.0.However, due to Haasan contesting the2019 Indian general election,an accident on the sets,[18]and the COVID-19 pandemic, production was stalled.
In February 2021, Shankar announced his debut in Telugu cinema,Game Changer,starringRam CharanandKiara Advani;with the story written byKarthik Subbaraj.[19]It was produced byDil RajuunderSri Venkateswara Creations.
In April 2021, he also announced his return toHindi cinemawithRanveer Singh,a remake ofAnniyan.It was to be produced byJayantilal GadaunderPen Studios.[20]However, Shankar faced legal difficulties regarding rights to remake the film, and the production never commenced.[21]
Production onGame Changerbegan, and after Haasan became available following the release ofVikram,Shankar stated that he will work on and direct bothGame ChangerandIndian 2simultaneously.[22]During filming ofIndian 2,it was decided that the film would be split into two parts due to the length of the material. Both parts were simultaneously shot.[23]Indian 2was released on 12 July 2024. It was panned by critics and audiences alike,[24]and was abox-office bomb.[25]It also included a teaser forIndian 3,which was better received.[26]
Game Changerwas released on 10 January 2025, coinciding withSankranti.[27]It opened to lukewarm reviews from critics and audience and emerged as Shankar's second consecutivebox-office bomb.[28][29]
Indian 3was scheduled to be released on 24 January 2025, but is currently undergoing reshoots due to the panning of its predecessor.
Personal life
editShankar is married to Easwari Shankar. The couple has two daughters and a son. Their younger daughter,Aditi Shankar,made her acting debut withViruman(2022).[1]In April 2024, Shankar's older daughter Aishwarya's second marriage was with Tarun Karthikeyan, after her divorce from cricketerDamodaran Rohit.[30][31][32]Shankar's son Arjith Shankar is also an actor.[33]
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
As director
edit- All films in [[unless otherwise noted
| Year | Title | Languages | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Gentleman | Tamil | Debut film |
| 1994 | Kadhalan | Lyricist for "Pettai Rap" | |
| 1996 | Indian | ||
| 1998 | Jeans | ||
| 1999 | Mudhalvan | ||
| 2001 | Nayak: The Real Hero | Hindi | Hindi debut; Remake ofMudhalvan |
| 2003 | Boys | Tamil | |
| 2005 | Anniyan | ||
| 2007 | Sivaji: The Boss | ||
| 2010 | Enthiran | ||
| 2012 | Nanban | Remake of3 Idiots | |
| 2015 | I | ||
| 2018 | 2.0 | ||
| 2024 | Indian 2 | ||
| 2025 | Game Changer | Telugu | Telugu debut |
| Indian 3† | Tamil | Post production[34] |
As producer
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Mudhalvan | As producer |
| 2004 | Kaadhal | |
| 2006 | Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi | |
| Veyil | ||
| 2007 | Kalloori | |
| 2008 | Arai Enn 305-il Kadavul | |
| 2009 | Eeram | |
| 2010 | Rettaisuzhi | |
| Anandhapurathu Veedu | ||
| 2014 | Kappal | As distributor |
| 2023 | Aneethi |
As an actor
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Vesham | Worker | |
| 1986 | Poovum Puyalum | Student | |
| Vasantha Raagam | Printing press worker | ||
| 1987 | Neethikku Thandanai | Reporter | |
| 1990 | Seetha | Japan | |
| 1994 | Kadhalan | Spectator | Uncredited special appearance in the song "Kadhalikum Pennin" |
| 2002 | Kadhal Virus | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2007 | Sivaji: The Boss | Person who telephones | Uncredited special appearance in the song "Balleilakka" |
| 2010 | Enthiran | Army soldier | Uncredited special appearance |
| 2012 | Nanban | Director in Asku Laska song | Uncredited special appearance in the song "Asku Laska" |
| 2025 | Game Changer | Raa Macha Macha song | Uncredited |
Awards and nominations
editNational Film Awards
edit| Year | Film | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Veyil | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil | Won | [35] |
Filmfare Awards South
edit| Year | Film | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Gentleman | Best Director | Won | [36] |
| 1994 | Kadhalan | [37] | ||
| 2005 | Anniyan | [38] | ||
| 2006 | Veyil | Best Film – Tamil | [39] | |
| 2007 | Sivaji: The.Boss | Best Director | Nominated | [40] |
| 2010 | Enthiran | [40] | ||
| 2015 | I | [41] |
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
edit| Year | Film | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Gentleman | Best Director | Won | [42] |
| 1996 | Indian | Best Film (First prize) | [43] | |
| 2005 | Anniyan | Best Film (Second prize) | [44] | |
| Best Director | [44] | |||
| 2006 | Veyil | Best Film (First prize) | [45] | |
| 2007 | Sivaji: The.Boss | [46] |
Vijay Awards
edit| Year | Film | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Enthiran: The Robot | Favourite Director | Won | [47] |
| 2013 | Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema | [48] | ||
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards
edit| Year | Film | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2.0 | Best Animation and Visual Effect | Won | [49] |
References
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- ^"EXCLUSIVE: Kamal Haasan's Indian is now a trilogy– Shankar simultaneously shoots part 2 and 3".Pinkvilla.26 July 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 31 July 2023.Retrieved15 October2023.
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- ^Seta, Fenil (12 July 2024)."Exclusive: Kamal Haasan-starrer Indian 3's exciting glimpse to appear as mid-credit scene in Indian 2; is 2 minutes and 30 seconds long".Bollywood Hungama.Archivedfrom the original on 12 July 2024.Retrieved12 July2024.
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- ^"Game Changer (Hindi) Final Worldwide Box Office: Ram Charan and Kiara Advani's political drama to end run with JUST Rs 39 crore globally".Pinkvilla.21 January 2025.Retrieved23 January2025.
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External links
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