Jagadeesh Kanna

Last updated

Jagadeesh Kanna
Born (1988-09-22) 22 September 1988 (age 37)
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Education Hindustan University
IIT Madras
Occupations
  • Actor
  • playwright
  • film director
  • entrepreneur
  • author
Years active2015–present
Known forFounder of Vaayusastra Aerospace

Jagadeesh Kanna (born 22 September 1988) is an Indian stage actor, [1] playwright, author, film director, [2] and entrepreneur. He is the author of the book Science with Young Hanuman [3] and is best known for writing and directing The Stealer, an experimental film that utilizes the Rashomon effect. [4] [5]

Contents

Kanna made his acting debut in the crowd-funded Tamil film Naalu Peruku Nalladhuna Edhuvum Thappilla (2017). [6] [7] He is the founder and CEO of Vaayusastra Aerospace, an educational firm incubated under IIT Madras's RTBI that combines theatre arts with aeronautical science. [8] [9]

Education

Kanna holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautics from Nehru Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore. He obtained a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Hindustan University, [10] and attended IIT Madras as a PhD coursework student in creative writing within the Humanities and Sciences department. [11]

Career

Entrepreneurship and Research

As CEO of Vaayusastra Aerospace, Kanna developed a curriculum combining theatre and aeronautics for children. [12] Under his leadership, the company achieved "Space Tutor" status from ISRO [13] and partnered with the Government of Tamil Nadu's "Naan Mudhalvan" program to train engineering students in drone technology. [14]

In 2025, Kanna became the CTO of "Drone Hub," an edutainment center at VGP Wonder World. [15] He heads the R&D unit contributing to research in aerostats, space suits, and space food.

Selected Research Publications

  • Rawal, S., Madhubalan, A., Manikandan, P., & Kanna, J. (2022). "Study on the Design of Space Gloves and EVA Suits with Future Challenges". Textile & Leather Review, 5, 18–30. doi : 10.31881/TLR.2021.25. [16]
  • Mahalakshmi, D., Sankarganesh, P., & Kanna, J. (2025). "Formulation... of a Calcium-enriched, Millet-based Freeze-dried Yogurt Mix... for Long-term Space Missions". Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research. doi : 10.18805/ajdfr.DR-2307. [17]
  • Manikanda Bharath, K., et al. (2026). "Geo-pedological controls on soil erosion vulnerability... in diverse landscapes of Tamil Nadu". Remote Sensing of Environment, 332. doi : 10.1016/j.rse.2025.115098. [18]

Entertainment

Kanna began his stage career with The Little Theatre (2009–2012) [19] and performed in Grand Rehearsals at The Hindu Theatre Fest in 2015. [20] He wrote the play Never Give Up (2016), inspired by Olympian Derek Redmond. [21]

In film, Kanna acted in Naalu Peruku Nalladhuna Edhuvum Thappilla (2017) and worked as an assistant director on Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2019) and 90 ML (2019). He directed the short film Oru Cup Coffee, dealing with euthanasia, [22] and the feature film The Stealer. [23]

Literary Works

Kanna writes "Sky High," a fortnightly column for The Hindu Young World , which re-imagines the Ramayana through the lens of aeronautical science. [24] These were compiled into the book Science with Young Hanuman (2025). [25]

"Sky High" Articles

Articles published in The Hindu Young World
TitleDateDescriptionRef
Take to the skies8 Feb 2021Meghnath's first flying lesson. [24]
Of flying and freedom22 Feb 2021Ravana's flying machines. [26]
Lessons in the air7 Mar 2021Hanuman learns about air mass. [27]
On top of the world26 Mar 2021Leaving Earth's atmosphere. [28]
The power of perseverance5 Apr 2021Importance of knowledge in flying. [29]
The real power26 Apr 2021Energy from minute elements. [30]
The science behind his flight7 Jun 2021Aerodynamics of Hanuman's flight. [31]
Power of the pull21 Jun 2021Moon's orbit and gravity. [32]
Ready for take off9 Jul 2021Secrets behind Lord Vishnu's weapons. [33]
It's all in the shape30 Jul 2021Aerofoils and wings. [34]
Sailing across space23 Aug 2021New ways of flying. [35]
Designing a simple spaceship4 Sep 2021Buoyancy and Venus. [36]
The light of knowledge18 Sep 2021Electrolysis lesson from Sukracharya. [37]
Ready for take off!25 Oct 2021Making rockets at home. [38]
Across space and time13 Dec 2021Communicating with ethereal beings. [39]
Travelling through time5 Jan 2022Wormholes and communication. [40]
Inspired by Nature17 Jan 2022Wright Brothers and nature. [41]
Swimming in the air20 Feb 2022Sampati teaches flying. [42]
Jatayu's epic flight7 Mar 2022Story of Jatayu's wings. [43]
Magnetic attraction21 Mar 2022Lecture on magnetism. [44]
When things heat up2 Apr 2022How Sampati's wings burnt. [45]
Energy and Quantum physics4 Jun 2022Meghnath meets Shakti. [46]
Unravelling a surprise4 Jul 2022Building an air-powered vehicle. [47]
Can stones float25 Jul 2022Curse on Nala and Nila. [48]
On Stealth mode29 Aug 2022Stealth technology. [49]
Balancing act5 Sep 2022Centre of gravity. [50]
Forces that power us23 Sep 2022Different types of forces. [51]
Weapons of power14 Oct 2022Goddess Durga's weapons. [52]
The potential of power5 Nov 2022Building a rocket launcher. [53]
Smoke effect17 Nov 2022Illusionary tricks. [54]
electrifying invention2 Dec 2022Wireless electricity. [55]
Nature, the teacher15 Dec 2022Inventions inspired by Nature. [56]
Getting crafty21 Jan 2023Principles of war. [57]
A matter of favouritism9 Feb 2023Quantum physics connection. [58]
The artist in the sky27 Feb 2023Science behind Nature's art. [59]
Churning the 'matter'7 Mar 2023Black hole phenomenon. [60]
A baffling mystery31 Mar 2023Origin of matter. [61]
Drawing with music14 Apr 2023Sound vibrations. [62]
A view like no other28 Apr 2023Supersonic flight and vortex. [63]
Celestial relationships9 Jun 2023Moon and stars. [64]
On a lunar mission24 Jun 2023Remote exploration of Moon. [65]
View from space8 Jul 2023Sputnik and Moon rabbit. [66]
All in the shape21 Jul 2023Aerodynamics. [67]
A hibernating mentor18 Aug 2023Jambhavan's hibernation. [68]
The story of Jambhavan8 Sep 2023Meeting Jambhavan. [69]
A musical interlude23 Sep 2023Music and spacecraft. [70]
Powered by air27 Oct 2023Kinds of aircraft. [71]
A battle and two boons16 Nov 2023Dasaratha and Shambara. [72]
Enter the twins1 Dec 2023Science behind archery. [73]
The Prince of Ayodhya6 Jan 2024Thrust vectoring and guided missiles. [74]
Of universes and multiverses2 Feb 2024Magnitude of the universe. [75]
Learning of the Raman Effect22 Feb 2024Sir C.V. Raman. [76]
Earthy matters29 Mar 2024Planet's wonders. [77]
Spheres that spin26 Apr 2024Mysteries of the Solar System. [78]
Ready for the race26 Jun 2024Test by Prahasta. [79]
The first challenge12 Jul 2024Stormy winds and turbulence. [80]
Winging it16 Aug 2024Piloting craft using Nature. [81]
Fight over a flying machine20 Sep 2024Pushpaka Vimana story. [82]
A question of frequency25 Oct 2024Resonance and oscillations. [83]
Preparing for war29 Nov 2024Ravana and Kubera. [84]
The glowing pillars of Alakapuri26 Jan 2025Kubera's city. [85]
The wonders of Alakapuri28 Feb 2025Science in daily life. [86]
Ravana's weapons28 Mar 2025Learning about weapons. [87]
Ravana wins the Pushpaka Vimana13 Jun 2025Ravana takes the vehicle. [88]
The secret of the vajrayudha18 Jul 2025Indra's weapon and lightning. [89]
The wind beneath their wings5 Sep 2025Making a drone. [90]
The secret of the curve17 Oct 2025Torque and drones. [91]
Learning from the ants21 Nov 2025Bio mimicry. [92]
The secret of Jambavan’s palace12 Dec 2025Keplers laws. [93]
Here comes the Sun16 Jan 2026Science of sankranti. [94]

Filmography

Feature Films, Short Films, and Series
YearTitleDirectorWriterActorRoleNotesRef
2015Oru Cup CoffeeYesYesNoShort film [22] , [95]
2017 Naalu Peruku Nalladhuna Edhuvum Thappilla NoNoYesJohnnyFeature film [6] , [96]
2022Kadhal NeeyeNoNoYesWarriorMusic Video (Lyricist) [97]
2022Hey BabeNoNoNoLyricist [98]
2024The StealerYesYesNoFeature film [2] , [4]
2024Call Kill RepeatNoNoYesKumarMicro Series [99]
TBAThiraikadalNoYesYesUnreleased [96]

References

  1. ↑ "Theatre's T-20 format lures Chennai youth on stage". DT Next. 3 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017.
  2. 1 2 "The Stealer 2024". IMDb.
  3. ↑ "Science with young Hanuman". The Hindu. 2 August 2025.
  4. 1 2 "The Stealer bags awards at International Film Festivals". News Today. 25 October 2024.
  5. ↑ "The Stealer". FilmFreeway.
  6. 1 2 "A successful crowd funded film". Deccan Chronicle. 1 April 2017.
  7. ↑ "Crowdfunded film hits screens finally". Deccan Chronicle. 1 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "Great Companies: Jagadeesh Kanna". Great Companies. 2021.
  9. ↑ "SRMIST and The Hindu host webinar on experiential learning in science". The Hindu. 29 May 2021.
  10. ↑ "Campus Talk Hindustan University Newsletter". Issuu. 20 March 2014.
  11. ↑ "for-the-child-in-you". The Hindu. 11 July 2013.
  12. ↑ "Vaayusastra – Aeronautical Dreams and Paper Planes". Government of Tamil Nadu.
  13. ↑ Kandavel, Sangeetha (7 December 2022). "Chennai based Vaayusastra Aerospace accorded status of registered Space Tutor of ISRO". The Hindu.
  14. ↑ Kandavel, Sangeetha (21 July 2023). "Students under 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme will now get to learn about drones and AI". The Hindu.
  15. ↑ "start-up-stars-series-16-vaayusastra-aerospace". Vikatan. 2025.
  16. ↑ Rawal, S. (5 February 2022). "Study on the Design of Space Gloves and EVA Suits with Future Challenges". Textile & Leather Review. 5: 18–30. doi: 10.31881/TLR.2021.25 .
  17. ↑ Mahalakshmi, D. (12 June 2025). "Formulation, Standardization and Microbial Viability Analysis..." Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research. doi: 10.18805/ajdfr.DR-2307 .
  18. ↑ Manikanda Bharath, K. (January 2026). "Geo-pedological controls on soil erosion vulnerability" . Remote Sensing of Environment. 332. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2025.115098.
  19. ↑ "The story of the bak-bak tree". 18 January 2014.
  20. ↑ "take-3three-oneact-plays-citizen-reviews". The Hindu. 18 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Never Give Up". The New Indian Express. 2016.
  22. 1 2 "want-some-coffee". The Hindu. 16 February 2015.
  23. ↑ "This investigative drama is set in the corporate world". The Times of India. 5 November 2024.
  24. 1 2 "Take to the skies". The Hindu. 8 February 2021.
  25. ↑ "The Hindu Young World presents two new books for children". The Hindu. 18 July 2025.
  26. ↑ Kanna, J. (22 February 2021). "Of flying and freedom". The Hindu.
  27. ↑ Kanna, J. (7 March 2021). "Lessons in the air". The Hindu.
  28. ↑ "On top of the world". The Hindu. 26 March 2021.
  29. ↑ Kanna, J. (5 April 2021). "The power of perseverance". The Hindu.
  30. ↑ Kanna, J. (26 April 2021). "The real power". The Hindu.
  31. ↑ Kanna, J. (7 June 2021). "The science behind his flight". The Hindu.
  32. ↑ Kanna, J. (21 June 2021). "Power of the pull". The Hindu.
  33. ↑ "Ready for take off". The Hindu. 8 July 2021.
  34. ↑ "It's all in the shape". The Hindu. 29 July 2021.
  35. ↑ Kanna, J. (23 August 2021). "Sailing across space". The Hindu.
  36. ↑ Kanna, J. (4 September 2021). "Designing a simple spaceship". The Hindu.
  37. ↑ Kanna, J. (18 September 2021). "The light of knowledge". The Hindu.
  38. ↑ Kanna, J. (25 October 2021). "Ready for take off!". The Hindu.
  39. ↑ Kanna, J. (13 December 2021). "Across space and time". The Hindu.
  40. ↑ "Travelling through time". Young World Club. 5 January 2022.
  41. ↑ Kanna, J. (17 January 2022). "Inspired by Nature". The Hindu.
  42. ↑ Kanna, J. (20 February 2022). "Swimming in the air". The Hindu.
  43. ↑ Kanna, J. (7 March 2022). "Jatayu's epic flight". The Hindu.
  44. ↑ Kanna, J. (21 March 2022). "Magnetic attraction". The Hindu.
  45. ↑ Kanna, J. (2 April 2022). "When things heat up". The Hindu.
  46. ↑ Kanna, J. (4 June 2022). "Meghnath meets Shakti Energy". The Hindu.
  47. ↑ Kanna, J. (4 July 2022). "Unravelling a surprise". The Hindu.
  48. ↑ "Can stones float". The Hindu. 24 July 2022.
  49. ↑ Kanna, J. (29 August 2022). "On stealth mode". The Hindu.
  50. ↑ "Balancing act". The Hindu. 5 September 2022.
  51. ↑ "Forces that power us". The Hindu. 23 September 2022.
  52. ↑ "Weapons of power". The Hindu. 14 October 2022.
  53. ↑ "The potential of power". The Hindu. 5 November 2022.
  54. ↑ "Smoke effect". The Hindu. 17 November 2022.
  55. ↑ "electrifying invention". The Hindu. 2 December 2022.
  56. ↑ "Nature, the teacher". The Hindu. 15 December 2022.
  57. ↑ "Getting crafty". The Hindu. 21 January 2023.
  58. ↑ "A matter of favouritism". The Hindu. 9 February 2023.
  59. ↑ "The artist in the sky". The Hindu. 27 February 2023.
  60. ↑ "Churning the 'matter'". The Hindu. 7 March 2023.
  61. ↑ "A baffling mystery". The Hindu. 31 March 2023.
  62. ↑ "Drawing with music". The Hindu. 14 April 2023.
  63. ↑ "A view like no other". The Hindu. 28 April 2023.
  64. ↑ "Celestial relationships". The Hindu. 9 June 2023.
  65. ↑ "On a lunar mission". The Hindu. 24 June 2023.
  66. ↑ "View from space". The Hindu. 8 July 2023.
  67. ↑ "All in the shape". The Hindu. 21 July 2023.
  68. ↑ "A hibernating mentor". The Hindu. 18 August 2023.
  69. ↑ "The story of Jambhavan". The Hindu. 9 September 2023.
  70. ↑ "A musical interlude". The Hindu. 23 September 2023.
  71. ↑ "Powered by air". The Hindu. 27 October 2023.
  72. ↑ "A battle and two boons". The Hindu. 16 November 2023.
  73. ↑ "Enter the twins". The Hindu. 1 December 2023.
  74. ↑ "The Prince of Ayodhya". The Hindu. 6 January 2024.
  75. ↑ "Of universes and multiverses". The Hindu. 2 February 2024.
  76. ↑ "Learning of the Raman Effect". The Hindu. 22 February 2024.
  77. ↑ "Earthy matters". The Hindu. 29 March 2024.
  78. ↑ "Spheres that spin". The Hindu. 26 April 2024.
  79. ↑ "Ready for the race". The Hindu. 26 June 2024.
  80. ↑ "The first challenge". The Hindu. 12 July 2024.
  81. ↑ "Winging it". The Hindu. 16 August 2024.
  82. ↑ "Fight over a flying machine". The Hindu. 20 September 2024.
  83. ↑ "A question of frequency". The Hindu. 25 October 2024.
  84. ↑ "Preparing for war". The Hindu. 29 November 2024.
  85. ↑ "The glowing pillars of Alakapuri". The Hindu. 26 January 2025.
  86. ↑ "The wonders of Alakapuri". The Hindu. 28 February 2025.
  87. ↑ "Ravana's weapons". The Hindu. 28 March 2025.
  88. ↑ "Ravana wins the Pushpaka Vimana". The Hindu. 13 June 2025.
  89. ↑ "The secret of the vajrayudha". The Hindu. 18 July 2025.
  90. ↑ "The wind beneath their wings". The Hindu. 5 September 2025.
  91. ↑ "The secret of the curve". The Hindu. 17 October 2025.
  92. ↑ "Learning from the ants". The Hindu. 21 November 2025.
  93. ↑ "The secret of Jambavan's palace". The Hindu. 12 December 2025.
  94. ↑ "Here comes the Sun". The Hindu. 16 January 2026.
  95. ↑ "Arav starrer A Cup of Coffee". Talks of Cinema. 13 December 2023.
  96. 1 2 "Jagadeesh on a roll". Deccan Chronicle. 15 April 2017.
  97. ↑ "Kadhal Neeye". YouTube. 13 September 2017.
  98. ↑ "Bjorn's new Tamil single is a feel-good number". The Times of India. 26 March 2022.
  99. ↑ "Call. Kill. Repeat". Madras Meter. 24 December 2024.
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