Ace filmmaker Shankar celebrates his 62nd birthday today (August 17), a milestone that highlights his remarkable journey in Indian cinema. Despite facing criticism in recent years for a dip in creativity, his contribution as a pioneer who elevated Tamil cinema to global standards remains unmatched.
Starting his career as an assistant to S.A. Chandrasekhar and Pavithran, Shankar made a powerful directorial debut with Gentleman, a film that was both a commercial success and socially relevant. He quickly became known as a director who seamlessly blended technology, social issues, and visual spectacle. Films like Kadhalan, Jeans, and Indian cemented his reputation, with the groundbreaking graphics in Jeans astonishing the industry by showcasing the Seven Wonders of the World on screen.
Shankar’s vision extended beyond available resources—he conceptualized futuristic projects like Robot in the 1990s, long before technology could fully support such ideas. During his peak, both superstars and newcomers aspired to collaborate with him, drawn by his grand storytelling.
Behind this success lay years of struggle. After completing engineering, Shankar aspired to move abroad but instead faced failures in various jobs and ventures. A turning point came when S.A. Chandrasekhar recognized his talent during his theatre days, steering him toward filmmaking.
Though some of his recent films underperformed, fans and critics believe in his ability to stage a strong comeback. Shankar’s name endures in Indian cinema history as the director who combined spectacle with substance, inspiring generations of filmmakers.