Indrajit Lankesh

Biography:

Indrajit Lankesh, an Indian filmmaker, and director of Kannada and Hindi films, is prominently recognized for his contributions to cinema and media. Born into a distinguished family of journalists and media publishers, Lankesh inherits his legacy from his father, the iconic writer, journalist, and filmmaker P. Lankesh. His familial background includes his sister, Kavitha Lankesh, also a filmmaker, and his late sister, Gauri Lankesh, a notable journalist and activist.

Lankesh’s journey in the realm of media and filmmaking commenced with the renowned weekly Kannada tabloid, Lankesh Patrike. Established by his father in 1980, the tabloid remains a steadfast publication, adhering to its founding principles without featuring advertisements, solely sustained by reader subscriptions. Indrajit Lankesh’s involvement in Lankesh Patrike evolved from his role as a sub-editor to his current position as the publisher and managing editor.

Venturing into the world of cinema, Lankesh made his directorial debut in 2001 with the film “Thuntata,” garnering accolades such as the V. Shantaram Award for Best Debutant Director. He further solidified his directorial prowess with films like “Monalisa” (2004), which earned him the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Director and Best Film, and “Aishwarya” (2006), featuring Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone in her debut Kannada film.

Throughout his career, Lankesh has showcased versatility in his directorial ventures, ranging from real-life incident-based narratives to commercial potboilers. His notable works include “Huduga Hudugi” (2010), “Dev Son of Mudde Gowda” (2012), and “Luv U Alia” (2016), each contributing to his repertoire of cinematic achievements.

In 2020, Lankesh directed the Hindi film “Shakeela,” starring Richa Chadda and Pankaj Tripathi, marking his foray into Hindi cinema. Beyond the silver screen, he enjoys widespread recognition as the permanent celebrity judge on the popular family comedy show “Majaa Talkies,” a testament to his multifaceted presence in the entertainment industry.