Pattabhiramaiah 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.

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.

Early life and education

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. He completed his master's degree in Kannada literature and also received a diploma in journalism from University of Mysore.

Career

Before 1990: Journalism Sheshadri began his career working at Navakarnataka Prakashana, a publishing house, where he designed cover pages for the publication. 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.

1990–1995: Entry into films Sheshadri started working in films and television by writing scripts and assisting the established director T. S. Nagabharana, with who he worked in three films Aakasmika (1993), Chinnari Mutha (1993) and Sagara Deepa (1994), "besides serials and documentaries". He called working with Nagabharana "...a good learning experience." Sheshadri then wrote the screenplay and dialogue for Gowrishankar (1995).

1995–2000: Working in television Sheshadri made his television debut as director with 'Inchara in 1995. He then made 'Kamanabillu. When DD Chandana (DD 9) were looking for new directors to make television series for them, Sheshadri made Kalyanamasthu, using predominantly stage actors. His then made Kathegara (1996), an adaptation of short stories such as Kamalapurada Hotelinalli by Panje Mangesh Rao and of Mogalli Ganesh. He co-directed the series alongside Seetharam and Nagendra Sha. The series became popular and was moved from DD Chandana to DD National where it completed the full run of 78 episodes. The trio then made Mayamruga in 1999 which went to become hugely popular as well.

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.

Sheshadri then decided to adapt Bolwar Mahammad Kunhi's book Muttuchera into a film titled Munnudi (2000). 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.

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.

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.

His Mohandas, based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi, an adaptation from Bolwar Mahammad Kunhi's book Papu Gandhi, Bapu Gandhi Aada Kathe and The Story of My Experiments with Truth, was released theatrically in 2021. In 2025, he began working on Ruby Cube, based on a short story of the same name written by his son, Pratham, centering around present-day society and relationships. The filming was completed in 15 days and was shot using three cameras and sync sound.

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 2019 Mookajjiya Kanasugalu 2021 Mohandas 2026 Ruby Cube

Television Year Title 1995 Inchara 1996 Kamanabillu 1996–1997 Kathegaara 1998 Mayamruga 2000–2001 Nikshepa 2001–2002 Kannaamuchaale 2003 Uyyale 2003–2004 Subbanna 2005–2006 Mounaraaga 2008–2009 Suprabhatha 2012 Chakrateertha 2015 Saakshi

Awards

For his Contribution to Kannada Cinema, awarded Honorary Puttanna Kanagal Award in Karnataka State Film Awards 2018.

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 Awards Year Film Category 2000–01 MunnudiSpecial Film of Social Concern 2012 Bharath StoresSecond Best Film 2014VidaayaBest ScreenplayAfter national honour, 'Harivu' bags top State film award 2018Mookajjiya KanasugaluBest Screenplay Lifetime achievementPuttanna Kanagal Award

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

References

External links Official website P. Sheshadri at Youtube