Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti is an Indian film cinematographer, turned director, screenwriter, and producer known for his works in Hindi, Telugu, and Marathi cinema. In 1999, Reddy made his foray into cinema as an assistant cinematographer under Ajayan Vincent. In 2018 he directed the Marathi feature film Naal, for which he fetched the National Film Award for Best First Film of a Director. He is known for his collaborations with Nagraj Manjule and Vikas Bahl.
Background Reddy was born on 23 March 1976 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh into a Telugu speaking family. Reddy holds A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad, and post graduate diploma in Cinematography from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.
Career Reddy's script was selected by UNESCO and funded a 2003 short film Ek Aakash for which Reddy received the National Film Award – Special Jury Award – "For starting off as a simple rivalry of two kids from different backgrounds; in kite flying, becomes a battle of one-upmanship. Both are led by their ego and aggressive instincts, but eventually reach a point when they need others help" as cited by the Jury.
Ek Aakash has also garnered various international accolades such as Best Youth and Children's film at the Association for International Broadcasting, Special Mention at International Film Festival for Young and Children, Argentina, and was featured at Four Art Film Fest, Slovakia.
Filmography
As short film director 2003: Ek Aakash (Silent film) 2007: II Rewind 2015: Road Safety Film: Jyada Akalmandi
As assistant director of photography 1999: Rajakumarudu 1999: Yamajathakudu
As cinematographer Year Film Language Notes 2005 Nammanna Kannada 2007 MadhumasamTelugu 2008 Pourudu 2010 Mirch Hindi2011 Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appalaraju Telugu Deool Marathi2013 Nautanki Saala! Hindi Dalam TeluguTamil 2015 Highway Ek Selfie AarparMarathi2016 Sairat YZ2018 Veere Di Wedding Hindi Naal Marathi Directorial debut, also writer and producer2019 George Reddy Telugu Also producer Saand Ki Aankh Hindi 2020Pavsacha Nibandh Marathi Short film 2021-present Sunflower Hindi Television series on ZEE52022 Jhund Goodbye2023 Ganapath Naal 2 Marathi Also director, writer, and producer 2024 ShaitaanHindi 2026 Matka King Amazon Prime Video series
References
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