Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam (born 5 November 1988) is an Indian film director, actor and screenwriter who works in Telugu cinema. He directed the romantic comedy Pelli Choopulu (2016), which won him the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu and Best Screenplay – Dialogues. He later directed Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi (2018), and made his acting debut in a lead role with Meeku Maathrame Cheptha (2019).
Early life Tharun Bhascker was born on 5 November 1988 in Madras (now Chennai) and was raised in Hyderabad. His father hailed from Warangal, Telangana, while his mother is from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Bhascker studied at The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, and Swami Vivekananda Institute of Technology. He later graduated from New York Film Academy.
His father, Uday Bhaskar, died in 2015. His mother, Geetha Bhaskar, made her acting debut in Sekhar Kammula's Fidaa (2017).
Film career Bhascker started his career directing short films such as Anukokunda, and Sainma. Anukokunda was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
His first full length directorial feature film was Pelli Choopulu (2016). The film received National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu, and Bhasckar won Best Screenplay for Dialogues. The film was remade in Hindi as Mitron (2018), in Malayalam as Vijay Superum Pournamiyum (2019), and in Tamil as Oh Manapenne.
In 2018, Bhasckar made his acting debut with the role of Singeetham Srinivasa Rao in the biopic Mahanati. His second directorial is the buddy comedy film Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi (2018). Later in the year, he wrote the screenplay for the ZEE5 web series, B. Tech.
In 2019, Bhaskar played the lead role in Meeku Maathrame Cheptha.
Keedaa Cola, directed by Tharun Bhascker, was released on 3 November 2023. His upcoming film as a lead actor Gaayapadda Simham is set to release theatrically on 1st May, 2026.
Personal life Bhascker is the son of actress and educational entrepreneur Geetha Bhascker Dhaassyam who has appeared in films such as Fidaa, Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi, and Sita Ramam, among others. He is also the nephew of former Warangal West MLA Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar.
Filmography As a director + Year TitleNotes 2016 Pelli Choopulu National Film Award for Best Screenplay – Dialogues 2018 Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi 2021 Pitta KathaluNetflix anthology film; Ramula segment 2023 Keedaa Cola2026ENE Repeat
As an actor +Acting roles Year Title RoleNotes 2018 Mahanati Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Sammohanam Himself Cameo appearance2019 Falaknuma Das Saidulu Meeku Maathrame Cheptha Rakesh 2020 Middle Class Melodies AE Cameo appearances 2021 Skylab Scientist 2022 Sita Ramam Balaji 2023Das Ka Dhamki Blue Jaguar guy Hostel Boys Editor Telugu version Keedaa Cola Bhakta Naidu Mangalavaaram Cameo appearance in a song 2024 Masthu Shades Unnai Raa Veer Das2025Santhana PrapthirasthuJack Reddy2026Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi Omkar Naidu Gaayapadda Simham Dharahas
As dialogue writer + Year TitleNotes 2018Maa Short film; Telugu dubbed version 2019 Meeku Maathrame Cheptha
As short film director Year TitleNotes 2008Wake upHELPMy India 2009We Can-Blind CricketThe Artist's Poem 2010HPS.wmv 2011HighderabadThis day-Catharsis24 frames-Telugu versionThe MethodMinutes to midnightSerendipityKaala GhodaThe Journey 2012Junun Anukokunda 2015Sainma
As voice actor +YearTitleRoleNotes2023ChinnaVenkateshDubbed in Telugu for Baalaji S. U. in Chithha2024Gorre PuranamGorre/SheepVoice role only
Television Year TitleRoleNetworkNotes2018 B. Tech ZEE5Writer2020Neeku Maathrame ChepthaHostETV Plus2023Anger TalesRajeevDisney+ HotstarEpisode: Food FestivalDhoothaBhupati Varma AvudhuriAmazon Prime Video
Discography YearFilmSongMusicCo-artistsNotes2021 Cinema Bandi"Cinema Teesinam"Varun ReddyRoll Ridaalso lyrics
Awards and nominations Film AwardCeremony Category Result Ref.Pelli ChoopuluNational Film Awards2017National Film Award for Best Feature Film in TeluguNational Film Awards 2016Best Screenplay for Dialogues Filmfare Awards South2017Best DirectorSouth Indian International Movie Awards2017Best Debut Director (Telugu)Santosham Film Awards2017Best Debut Director
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