Shankar Shanmugam (born 17 August 1963), credited as S. Shankar or his mononym Shankar, is an Indian filmmaker who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He... made his debut as a director in the film Gentleman (1993), for which he won the Filmfare Best Director Award and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director. He is one of the highest paid film directors in India.[1]
Shankar's films typically deal with the contemporary social issues, vigilante themes and the usage of state of the art technology and VFX. He usually collaborates with composer A. R. Rahman, both having done over 10 films together. Two of his films, Indian (1996) and Jeans (1998), were submitted by India for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by M. G. R. University. His 2.0 (2018), is the third highest-grossing film in India and the seventh highest-grossing Indian film worldwide.[2][3
As director, writer and producer
Year Film Credited as Notes
Director Producer Writer
1993 Gentleman Yes Yes
1994 Kadhalan Yes Yes
1996 Indian Yes Yes
1998 Jeans Yes Yes
1999 Mudhalvan Yes Yes Yes
2001 Nayak Yes Yes Hindi film; Remake of Mudhalvan
2003 Boys Yes Yes
2004 Kaadhal Yes
2005 Anniyan Yes Yes
2006 Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi Yes
Veyil Yes
2007 Sivaji: The Boss Yes Yes
Kalloori Yes
2008 Arai Enn 305-il Kadavul Yes
2009 Eeram Yes
2010 Rettaisuzhi Yes
Anandhapurathu Veedu Yes
Enthiran Yes Yes
2012 Nanban Yes
2014 Kappal Yes
2015 I Yes Yes
2018 2.0 Yes Yes
2023 RC15 Not yet released Yes Yes Filming; Telugu film
TBA Indian 2 Not yet released Yes Yes
As an actor
Year Film Role Notes
1986 Poovum Puyalum Student Uncredited role
Vasantha Raagam Printing press worker
1990 Seetha Japan
1994 Kadhalan Lyricist for "Pettai Rap"
Special appearance in the song "Kadhalikum Pennin"
1996 Indian Policeman special appearance
2002 Kadhal Virus Himself
2007 Sivaji: The Boss Special appearance in the song "Balleilakka"
2010 Enthiran Special appearance
2012 Nanban Special appearance in the song "Asku view more