Nag Ashwin

Nag Ashwin Reddy is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his works in Telugu cinema. He made his directorial debut in 2015 with the coming-of-age philosophical drama film Yevade Subramanyam.
In 2018, he directed the biographical film Mahanati, starring Keerthy Suresh as yesteryear actress Savitri. At the 66th National Film Awards 2019, the film won accolades including the Best Feature Film in Telugu. Nag Ashwin received the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu at the 66th Filmfare Awards South.
Mahanati was showcased in the Indian Panorama Mainstream section at the 49th International Film Festival of India, and has also garnered the "Equality in Cinema Award" at the 2018 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
Early life
Nag Ashwin was born in Hyderabad, Telangana to Jayaram and Jayanthi Reddy, both of whom are doctors. He has a younger sister, Nikhila Reddy, who is also a doctor. He studied in Hyderabad Public School and received bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from MIC, Manipal. He then did a Film Direction course at the New York Film Academy.
Career
Early career
Nag Ashwin began his career as an assistant director for the film Nenu Meeku Telusa?. He then proceeded to work as an assistant director with Sekhar Kammula for the films Leader and Life Is Beautiful and acted in a minor role in this film as a "gold phase" guy.
Debut and Critical acclaim
He made his directorial debut with Yevade Subramanyam (2015), which received mixed-to-positive reviews. It was a sleeper-hit and gained a cult following post-release. In May 2016, he announced that his next film would be a biopic of the Indian actress, Savitri, titled Mahanati. He spent six months researching about her life by reading articles and books, in addition to meeting old journalists and actors that associated with her.
Backed by Vyjayanthi Movies, principal photography for the film began in May 2017 and was completed by March 2018. The film released on 9 May 2018 garnering both critical and commercial acclaim, and went on to win several awards.
In February 2020, he announced his next project, a science fiction action film, with the working title, Project K, with Vyjayanthi Movies. However, the production was delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming began in July 2021, with a futuristic set erected at Ramoji Film City, in Hyderabad. Being produced on a 600 crore budget, it is one of the most expensive Indian film to be made. Prabhas was roped in as the lead actor, following which, Deepika Padukone was signed to play opposite him. In October, Amitabh Bachchan was confirmed to be playing a full-length role. In May 2022, Disha Patani joined the cast and in June 2023, Kamal Hassan was confirmed to be a part of the film. The music is being composed by Santhosh Narayanan, and cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic. It is slated to release in January 2024.
Personal life
In December 2015, Ashwin married Priyanka Dutt, the second daughter of producer C. Ashwini Dutt, of Vyjayanthi Movies. The couple has a son.
Filmography
All films are in Telugu, unless noted otherwise.
As assistant director
All films are in Telugu, unless noted otherwise.
Awards and nominations
References
External links
Telugu film directors
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Film directors from Hyderabad, India
Screenwriters from Hyderabad, India
Indian male screenwriters
Filmfare Awards South winners
21st-century Indian film directors
New York Film Academy alumni