Nagraj Popatrao Manjule (born 24 August 1978) is an Indian film director, actor, producer, scriptwriter, poet, screenwriter, and filmmaker. He works in Marathi cinema, and is best known for Sairat and Pistulya—the latter for which he received National Film Award in the National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director (non-feature film). He made his Hindi Cinema debut in 2022, with a film called Jhund, starring Amitabh Bachchan.
At the 61st National Film Awards, Fandry won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director. In 2018, Manjule published a book of poetry in Marathi titled Unhachya Katavirudhha which won the Bhairuratan Damani Sahitya Puraskar.
Early life and education Manjule grew up in Jeur village in the Solapur district of Maharashtra. Baburao Manjule, who is the brother of Nagraj's father Popatrao Manjule, adopted Nagraj due to financial hardships. However, Nagraj decided early on that if he achieved anything significant, he would honor his biological father, Popatrao Manjule. Since starting his career in the film industry, he has been known by the name 'Nagraj Popatrao Manjule' in all his professional endeavors. He belongs to the traditionally-nomadic Waddar community, a Dravidian tribe.
He earned his M.A. in Marathi literature from Savitribai Phule Pune University, followed by a master's in communication studies from New Arts, Science and Commerce College, Ahmednagar.
Career
Manjule is strongly inspired by B. R. Ambedkar, the emancipator of downtrodden and the drafting chairman of the Constitution of India. His films are deeply rooted in his own experience growing up as a Dalit in rural Maharashtra. His films have focused on the plights faced by members of these communities, including social discrimination at the hands of high-caste communities as well as the resulting economic hardships.
His first National Award-winning short film Pistulya is a reflection of his 'felt experience'. The film focuses on the desire of a Dalit boy to attend school, and his inability to do so because of his family's poverty and a deep-seated disdain for formal education within his community.
His debut feature film, Fandry, was released in February 2014; the word means "pig" in the Kaikadi language, which is a metaphor for the dehumanizing treatment of the Dalit community in rural India. This film also addresses caste discrimination. This film won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director.
Manjule's second film, Sairat, premiered at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. Like Fandry and Pistulya, it deals with caste discrimination and honour killing, a practice still widespread in parts of India. Sairat also seeks to address the role of women in society, with the character of Archie (Archana Patil), the female protagonist of Sairat, garnering both popular and critical acclaim. Sairat is one-off the highest grossing Marathi film of all time. In 2019, Manjule hosted Marathi Kaun Banega Crorepati. Manjule made his directorial debut in Hindi films with Jhund starring Amitabh Bachchan.
In 2023, Manjule appeared in Ghar Banduk Biryani, playing the role of a police officer. This film marked his first collaboration with Sayaji Shinde and his third with Akash Thosar.
Filmography
Film
All films are in Marathi, unless mentioned. YearFilmActor Director WriterProducerRole Notes Ref.2010 Pistulya Ambadas National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director 2013 Fandry Chankeshwar "Chankya" Sathe Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director 2015 Baji Inspector Mahesh Highway 2016 Sairat Cricket commentator Selected For 66th Berlin International Film Festival The Silence Uncle 2018 Pavsacha Nibandh Short film Naal Chaitya's father Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director 2020 Taar Postman Short film2022 Unpaused: Naya Safar Hindi film Jhund Hitler Bhai Hindi film (Bollywood Debut) 2023 Ghar Banduk Biryani Raya Patil Dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, TeluguNaal 2Chaitya's father2026FrameChandu Pansare2027Based on K.D. Jadhav
Television +YearTitleLanguageNotes2026Matka KingHindiPrime Video series
Personal life Manjule was married to Sunita Manjule in 1997 when he studied in 12th, but later divorced on November 10, 2014. He gave Sunita ₹7 lakh as permanent alimony. It was revealed that the allegations were false and Manjule found innocent. In 2017, Manjule married Gargi Kulkarni and has two children Raya and Shahu.
Books Unhachya Kataviruddha – poetry.
Awards
YearAwardsCategoriesWork Result Ref.201058th National Film AwardsBest First Non-Feature FilmPistulya201361st National Film AwardsBest Debut Film of a Director Fandry20141st Filmfare Awards MarathiBest Director201765th National Film AwardsBest Director in Non-Feature FilmPavsacha NibandhMaharashtracha Favourite Kon?Favourite DirectorSairat3rd Filmfare Awards MarathiBest DirectorZee Chitra Gaurav PuraskarBest Director201966th National Film AwardsBest Debut Film of a Director Naal2022Maharashtracha Favourite Kon?Favourite Director of the DecadeSairat2023Fakt Marathi Cine SanmanFakt Marathi Cine Sanman for Best Actor in a Lead RoleGhar Banduk Biryani14th MFK AwardsFavourite Supporting ActorNaal 2Favourite ActorGhar Banduk Biryani20173rd Filmfare Awards MarathiFilmfare Award for Best Screenplay – MarathiSairatFilmfare Award for Best Story – MarathiSairat
References
External links