S. Shankar Shanmugam, a prominent Indian filmmaker, is celebrated as one of the most innovative and influential figures in Indian cinema. His journey, marked by consistent success and groundbreaking visuals, has solidified his position as a cinematic icon.

Biography/Wiki

Born on August 17, 1963, in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India, S. Shankar (age 60 as of 2023) initially pursued a diploma in Mechanical Engineering at Central Polytechnic College, Chennai. However, his passion for film steered him towards a career in filmmaking. His early talent was discovered by renowned screenwriter S. A. Chandrasekhar, who witnessed Shankar’s dramatic stage productions.

Physical Appearance

Shankar stands tall at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) and weighs approximately 85 kg (187 lbs). He has black hair and eyes.

Family

Shankar’s parents are Shanmugam (father) and Muthulakshmi (mother). He is married to Easwari Shankar and they have three children: a son, Arjith Shankar, and two daughters, Aditi Shankar and Aishwarya Shankar.

Career

Shankar began his career assisting directors S. A. Chandrasekhar and Pavithran. His first film as an assistant was Jai Shiv Shankar (1990), produced by Rajesh Khanna. His directorial debut was the Tamil film Gentleman (1993). He later entered Hindi cinema with Nayak (2001), starring Anil Kapoor.

His notable directorial works include Indian (Tamil), Jeans, Shivaji, Robot (renamed Enthiran – the most expensive Indian film at the time), Nanban, and I. The commercial triumph of Enthiran (2010) led to the creation of the even more ambitious 2.0 (2015), which holds the record for the most expensive Indian film ever made. He subsequently embarked on Indian 2, a sequel to his acclaimed film Indian.

Net Worth

As of 2017, his estimated net worth was ?116 crore.

Facts

Shankar’s remarkable career is highlighted by several achievements:

• Indian (1996) and Jeans (1998) were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
• He’s been one of the highest-paid directors in Indian cinema.
• He primarily worked in Tamil cinema throughout his career.
• He boasts an unparalleled record with zero box office flops.
• He collaborated with A. R. Rahman on twelve films.
• He won the National Film Award in 2006 for Veyil.
• His penchant for big-budget productions earned him the title of “Steven Spielberg of Indian Cinema”.
• A. R. Rahman and Rajinikanth are his favorite musician and actor, respectively.

Film Budget Comparison