Mahesh Rao

Last updated

Mahesh Rao
Mahesh Rao.jpg
Born1982 (age 4142)
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s) Film director
Screenwriter
Dialogue writer
Years active2008 – present
SpouseKirthika M Rao (2012–present)
ChildrenHasini M Rao Nainika M Rao

Mahesh Rao (born 14 February 1982) is an Indian director, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Kannada films. He is known for the movies Dheemaku, Murali meets Meera (2011) and Bhadra (2011). His next movie is with Yash and Radhika Pandit which is in pre-production stage to be produced by K.Manju. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Mahesh Rao was born on 14 February 1982 at Bangalore. He studied in St.Josephs High School Bangalore & did his graduation at PES College Bangalore. He was performing dramas since his school days. His friend Thilak introduced him to a theater performing dramas. He performed plays under Nataranga, Samudhaya, C.R.Simha's Vedike & Snehasamooha. In 2012 he married Kirthika, CO-producer of popular television serials Puttagowri Maduve & Akka.

Mahesh Rao started his career as an assistant director to acclaimed director K. M. Chaitanya for his T.V show Ee Prashne. He acted in veteran director Nagabharana's T.V serial Joku Joke. After this he assisted Sunil Kumar Singh for his serials Godhooli, Thulasi, Yava Janmada Maithri for 6 years along with acting in those serials too.

Film career

After his successful stint at television serials, Mahesh Rao made his debut through Dheemaku (2008), starring Naveen Krishna in the lead role. The movie got rave reviews from critics and was an average grosser at box office. In 2009 he collaborated with Milana fame director Prakash for the screenplay of Gokula . His second film, Murali Meets Meera , a romantic film based on a novel, was released in 2011, with Prajwal Devraj in the lead role. Murali Meets Meera too earned positive response from critics, with The Times of India and Bangalore Mirror rating it 4/5 and Sify rating it 3/5. The movie subsequently went on to become a sleeper hit after running for 50 days at the box office. Following the success of Murali Meets Meera, Mahesh Rao's next was Bhadra, a remake of the Telugu movie Ranam , and introduced Daisy Shah pairing with Prajwal Devraj. He made some changes to the screenplay to suit the nativity of the Kannada audience and the movie went on to become a super hit running 75 days at the box office with overall critics rating it as 3/5 and praising his direction skills. In 2013, he was roped in to direct Case No. 18/9, a remake of the Tamil hit Vazhakku enn 18/9 . After its release, the film received generally positive reviews from critics. The performances of Niranjan Shetty, Sindhu Lokanath, Shwetha Pandit and Rangayana Raghu, and the film's direction, screenplay and narration received praise from critics. Case No. 18/9 was a profitable venture for the producers fetching 1.57 crores (US$230,000) only from satellite rights from Suvarna TV. Then he went on to direct Endendu Ninagagi which was a remake of Engeyum Eppothum and was a box office failure even after receiving positive reviews from critics. His next movie was Kwatle Satisha which was again a remake of Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom . Kwatle Satisha received positive reviews from critics and was a profitable venture for the producer. His next stint was as dialogue writer for the Ganesh starrer movie Khushi Khushiyagi released in 2015. Initially there were speculations that he would direct a movie starring Yash for the remake of Tamil movie Vaalu but eventually the remake idea was scrapped. Mahesh Rao wrote his own script and it was finalised by producer K.Manju. This film got the final title Santhu Straight Forward and will go on floors February 2016 starring Yash and Radhika Pandit. [2] [3] [4]

Filmography

YearTitleDirectorScreenwriterDialoguesNotes
2008 Dheemaku YesYesYes
2009 Gokula NoYesNo
2010 Vaare Vah NoNoYes
2011 Murali Meets Meera YesYesYes
2011 Bhadra YesYesNo
2012 Case No. 18/9 YesYesNo
2014 Endendu Ninagagi YesYesNo
2014 Kwatle Satisha YesYesNo
2016 Prachanda YesYesNo
2015Yogi G RajNoNoYes
2016 Santhu Straight Forward YesYesYes
2017 Tarak NoYesNo

Television shows

TitleRole
E Prashne(quiz show) Assistant Director
Godhuli Associate Director
Thulasi Associate Director
Yava Janmada Maithri Episode Director
Utsava Director
Chikkamma Screenwriter
Lakumi Screenwriter
Sose Tanda sowbhagya screenwriter
Putta gowri Maduve Screenwriter
Akka Screenwriter
Mangala Gowri Maduve Screenwriter
Geetha screenwriter
Naagini 2 Screenwriter
Kamali Screenwriter
Amruthadhare Screenwriter

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganesh (actor)</span> Indian actor and television presenter (born 1980)

Ganesh Kishan, known mononymously as Ganesh, is an Indian actor, director, producer and television presenter known for his work in Kannada cinema. Through his career in films and television shows, he has become one of the most popular celebrities and highest-paid actors in Kannada cinema. He is the recipient of several awards, including two Filmfare Awards.

Radhika Pandit is an Indian actress who is primarily known for her work in Kannada films. Considered as one of the most popular and highest-paid Kannada actress, Pandit is a recipient of several accolades including three Filmfare Awards South, one Karnataka State Film Award and one SIIMA Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yash Gowda</span> Indian actor

Naveen Kumar Gowda well known by his stage name Yash is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Kannada films. His career began in Television and landed in cinema. He is a recipient of three Filmfare Awards South and two SIIMA awards.

<i>Krishnan Love Story</i> 2010 Indian action drama film

Krishnan Love Story is a 2010 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by Shashank and stars Ajay Rao, Radhika Pandit in the lead roles, alongside Umashri, Achyuth Kumar, Sharan, Pradeep, Harsha and Kaddipudi Chandru in supporting roles. The music was composed by Sridhar V. Sambhram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shashank (director)</span> Indian Kannada cinema film director

Shashank is an Indian film director, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Kannada cinema. He made his debut as a director with the 2007 film Sixer. His second directorial Moggina Manasu (2008) received critical acclaim for its screenplay and its coming-of-age theme. He went on to direct other successful films in the romance genre such as Krishnan Love Story (2010), Bachchan (2013), Krishna-Leela (2015), Mungaaru Male 2 (2016) and Love 360 (2022) He is also credited to have introduced actors Yash, Radhika Pandit, Prajwal Devraj and Neha Shetty who went on to become successful actors in Kannada cinema.

<i>Murali Meets Meera</i> 2011 Indian film

Murali Meets Meera is a 2011 Kannada film in the romance genre starring Prajwal Devaraj and Reema Vohra in the lead roles. The film has been directed and written by director Mahesh Rao and produced by Yogish Hunsur. Abhiman Roy has composed the soundtrack and the background score. The film was released on 22 April 2011.

<i>Mr. Duplicate</i> 2011 Indian film

Mr. Duplicate is a 2011 Indian Kannada film in the romance genre starring Diganth and Prajwal Devaraj in the lead roles. Sheetal Injudhan Khan, a newcomer is the main female lead. The film is directed by veteran Kodlu Ramakrishna. Mano Murthy is the music director of the film. Kashyap Dakoju has produced the film under the banner Real Wealth venture productions. The film is a remake of 2001 Tamil hit Minnale starring R. Madhavan, Abbas and Reema Sen.

Prajwal Devaraj is an Indian actor who mainly works in Kannada cinema. He made his debut with the Kannada film Sixer (2007) for which he won the Best Debut actor award at the Suvarna Film Awards. This was followed by the gangster drama Geleya (2007) which was a box-office success. Prajwal has been appreciated for his recent films like Chowka (2017), Gentleman (2020) and Inspector Vikram.

<i>Aakasa Ramanna</i> 2010 Indian film

Aakasa Ramanna is a 2010 Indian Telugu-language black comedy film which is a remake of a Hollywood movie, 11:14. This film is directed by G. Ashok, produced by Manyam Ramesh under the Manyam Entertainments banner, and stars Allari Naresh, Sivaji, Rajiv Kanakala, Meera Jasmine, and Gowri Pandit in the lead roles. The soundtrack was composed by Chakri and cinematography was handled by Sai Sriram. The dialogues for the film were written by Chandrashekar Gundimeda while screenplay was handled also by G. Ashok. This was G. Ashok's second film as director. It marked the debut of editor Prawin Pudi. The film was released on 12 March 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harsha (director)</span> Indian choreographer (born 1980)

A. Harsha is an Indian film director and choreographer who works in Kannada cinema. Harsha has choreographed many popular songs.

<i>Drama</i> (2012 film) 2012 Indian film

Drama is a 2012 Indian Kannada romantic comedy thriller written, directed and co-produced by Yogaraj Bhat under the banner Yogaraj Movies and Jayanna Combines. It stars Yash, Radhika Pandit, Sathish Ninasam and Sindhu Lokanath in leading roles and veteran actor Ambareesh in an extended cameo appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S. Krishna</span> Indian cinematographer and film director (born 1975)

S. Krishna is an Indian cinematographer and film director who primarily works in Kannada cinema. He gave a new dimension to cinematography through his breathtaking visuals in Mungaru Male. He's an alumnus of the Government Film and Television Institute, Bangalore.

<i>Super Shastri</i> 2012 Indian film

Super Shastri is a 2012 Indian Kannada-language action comedy film directed by Raviraj and produced by G. Ramachandran. It stars Prajwal Devraj and Haripriya in the lead roles. The film is a remake of the 2007 Telugu comedy film Seema Sastri starring Allari Naresh and Farzana. Rangayana Raghu, Umashree, Bullet Prakash and Rekha Kumar among others play the supporting roles. Deva is the score and soundtrack composer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachita Ram</span> Indian actress

Rachita Ram is an Indian actress who primarily works in Kannada films. After appearing in various television shows, Rachita made her film debut with the 2013 film, Bulbul, for which she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Kannada nomination. Rachita has won various awards including one Filmfare Award South and three SIIMA Awards.

Sixer is a 2007 Indian Kannada language film about a teenager who dreams of becoming a cricket player and who works for an underworld don, only to fall in love with the daughter of his boss's rival. The film marks the debut of director Shashank and Prajwal Devaraj and was released with average reviews and performed positive at the box office.

<i>Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari</i> 2014 Indian film

Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari is a 2014 Indian Kannada romantic drama film written and directed by Santhosh Ananddram and produced by the duo Jayanna and Bhogendra under the banner Jayanna Combines. It stars Yash and Radhika Pandit in the lead roles. The supporting cast features Srinath, Achyuth Kumar and Malavika Avinash. The story revolves around two characters: a tearaway and hot-headed youngster, Ramachari, who is a diehard fan of Vishnuvardhan, and his love interest, the sophisticated Divya.

<i>Case No. 18/9</i> 2013 Indian film

Case No.18/9 is a 2013 Indian Kannada language film directed by Mahesh Rao, a remake of the Tamil film Vazhakku Enn 18/9 (2012). The film stars Niranjan Shetty and Sindhu Lokanath. The supporting cast features Abhishek, Shweta Pandit and Rangayana Raghu.

<i>Santhu Straight Forward</i> 2016 film directed by Mahesh Rao

Santhu Straight Forward is a 2016 Indian Kannada-language romantic action comedy film directed by Mahesh Rao and produced by K. Manju. The film features Yash and Radhika Pandit. The music is composed by V. Harikrishna.

<i>Kwatle Satisha</i> 2014 Indian film

Kwatle Satisha is a 2014 Indian Kannada-language comedy film directed by Mahesh Rao and starring Sathish Ninasam, Chikkanna, Anand, Suri, and Sonia Gowda. It is a remake of the Tamil film Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012).

Guru Deshpande is an Indian film director, producer and distributor, known for his work in Kannada film industry. He is well known for Raja Huli starring Yash and Meghana Raj. In 2019, Guru Deshpande turned produced launching his banner G Cinemas and started a Film Institute under the name G Academy in Bengaluru.

References

  1. "MAHESH RAO TO DIRECT YASH". cineloka.co.in. 27 May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  2. "Mr & Mrs back to rock!". Deccan Chronicle. 25 November 2015.
  3. "Yash and Radhika Pandit together again!". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 19 November 2015.
  4. "Radhika and Yash Back Again?". newindianexpress.com. 5 October 2015. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015.