# Shashank (director)

Shashank (born 24 June 1972) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Kannada cinema. He made his debut as a director with the 2007 film Sixer. His second directorial Moggina Manasu (2008) received critical acclaim for its screenplay and its coming-of-age theme. He went on to direct other successful films in the romance genre such as Krishnan Love Story (2010), Bachchan (2013), Krishna-Leela (2015), Mungaaru Male 2 (2016) and Love 360 (2022) He is also credited to have introduced actors Yash, Radhika Pandit, Prajwal Devraj and Neha Shetty who went on to become successful actors in Kannada cinema.

## Early life

Shashank was born in a small village called Talya, in Chitradurga district, Karnataka. He is the third child of his parents Hanumanthappa and Lakkamma, his father was a small farmer. However he was later adopted by his maternal uncle and aunt, Chandrashekarappa and Shantamma. Since Chandrashekarappa worked in VISL, Bhadravati, Karnataka. Shashank completed his matriculation from Bhadravati. Later he did his diploma in civil engineering (1988–91) in Chikmagalur. His birth name was Umesh B.H. which he later changed to Shashank at his mentor Hamsalekha's insistence.

## Personal life

He is married to Veena H.M and has two daughters, Chaitra and Khushi.

## Career

Shashank trained as an engineer, and worked as a site engineer in Bangalore as a site engineer. He became an assistant to S. Mahendar for the film Taayi illada tavaru (1994). He subsequently worked with music director Hamsalekha. His first movie as an independent director was Sixer from 2007, produced by Ramoji Rao with music composed by Hamsalekha.
In addition to writing screenplays, dialogues and storylines for films, he has also written song lyrics.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Director | Story & Sreenplay | Producer | Notes |
| 2007 | Sixer | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2008 | Moggina Manasu | Yes | Yes | No | Also lyricist |
| 2010 | Krishnan Love Story | Yes | Yes | No | Also lyricist |
| 2011 | Jarasandha | Yes | Yes | No | Also lyricist |
| 2013 | Bachchan | Yes | Yes | No | Also lyricist |
| 2015 | Krishna-Leela | Yes | Yes | No | Also lyricist |
| 2016 | Mungaru Male 2 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2018 | Thayige Thakka Maga | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also Lyricist |
| 2022 | Love 360 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also Lyricist |
| 2023 | Kousalya Supraja Rama | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also Lyricist |
| 2024 | Untitled with Upendra & Hariprriya† | Yes | Yes | Yes | Filming |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Film | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
| 2008 | Moggina Manasu | 56th Filmfare Awards South | Best Director | Won | |
| 2008 | Moggina Manasu | 56th Filmfare Awards South | Best Lyricist | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Krishnan Love Story | 58th Filmfare Awards South | Best Director | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Krishnan Love Story | Udaya Film Awards | Best Director | Won | |
| 2010 | Krishnan Love Story | Suvarna Film Awards | Best Director | Won | |
| 2010 | Krishnan Love Story | Bengaluru Habba Award | Best Director | Won | |
| 2013 | Bachchan | Chitra Santhe Awards | Blockbuster Director | Won | |
| 2015 | Krishna Leela | 2015 Karnataka State Film Awards | Best Screenplay | Won | |
| 2015 | Krishna Leela | 2015 Karnataka State Film Awards | Best Family Entertainer | Won | |
| 2015 | Krishna Leela | 63rd Filmfare Awards South | Best Director | Nominated | |
| 2015 | Krishna Leela | 1st IIFA Utsavam | Best Director | Nominated | [12] [13] |
| 2015 | Krishna Leela | 1st IIFA Utsavam | Best Lyrics | Nominated | [12] [13] |
| 2022 | Love 360 | Critics Award | Best Lyrics | Won | |
| 2022 | Love 360 | Chitra Santhe Award | Best Thriller Movie Of The Year | Won | |
| 2024 | Kousalya Supraja Rama | 3 August 2024 | Best Film – Kannada | Nominated | |