| Chandrashekar Bandiyappa | |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Other Names: | CSB, Chandru, Shekar |
| Birth Place: | Mandya district, India |
| Years Active: | 2013–present |
| Spouse: | Pooja A. V. |
| Children: | Bhoomi. B. Gowda and Raahitya B gowda |
| Occupation: | Film director and writer and advocate |
Chandrashekar Bandiyappa is a South Indian film director[1] [2] who was born in Ummadahally a small village from Mandya district. With an academic qualification of M.sc from mysore university, LLB from KSLU, and B.Ed. from Bangalore University and a diploma in film technology from KANFIDA, he has worked as an associate with many directors including S. Narayan and Rajendra Singh Babu. He made his debut in 2013 with the film Aane Pataaki and rose to fame with the Kannada film Rathavara.
Chandrashekhar, has often been described as "India's trailblazer in story telling" by his fans as he is the trend setter. His story in Rathaavara and Taarakaasura were out of the box, it touched upon the lives of transgender and Budbudke tribe. CSB has directed over 6 films now and has written story for Karavali (in pre production).
Born into a humble family, CSB's upbringing was rooted in simplicity. His father, Kalegowdru, was not only a farmer but also a passionate stage artist. His mother, Thayamma, played the dual roles of a farmer and a dedicated housewife. As one of four children, CSB stood out as a bright student from an early age. Watching movies and drama shows after school time was routine, it was his father's portrayal of the character Duryodhana from the epic Mahabharata that left an indelible mark on young CSB.
At the age of 14, CSB made a major decision: he would get into the film industry. The path ahead was unknown, but his determination and passion towards film making made him unstoppable. With unwavering resolve, he embarked on a journey that would lead him to the silver screen.
In 2016, CSB’s life took another significant decision, entered into an arranged marriage with Pooja, and together they were blessed with two beautiful daughters. Her support has been pillar of his success, as CSB was working on projects Pooja made sure kids grew up in the right and nurturing environment. Hence, he has always stated she is the source of his creativity.
After finishing his studies, he spent close to five years working for a multinational corporation. His passion for cinema then led him to join the film industry, where he started his journey as an associate to the renowned director, Jai Jagadish. His first project was the 2006 film, Madana His career took a significant turn when he teamed up with the esteemed director, S. Narayan. As an assistant director, he contributed to acclaimed projects such as ‘Veera Parampare, Shyloo, and Munjane.
In the midst of these ventures, he also explored the Malayalam film industry. He worked on Chattambinadu, a film where the celebrated actor, Mammootty, played the lead role. This diverse experience enriched his understanding of cinema and laid a strong foundation for his future endeavors in the film industry.
In the year 2013, he took on hat of Director and directed Aane Pataaki which was remake of Hollywood film The Party (1968) by Blake Edwards starring Srujan Lokesh. This is a comedy entertainer, the movie is about a wannabe actor who comes to the city aspiring to become a hero. However, because of his innocence and naivety he is often teased and made fun. He is invited to a party at the house of a movie producer because of an error made by the producers secretary. There he falls in love with a "Star Guest".
Then came blockbuster movie Rathaavara, The initial reports said the filming to start by October 2014, the actual rolling of the film commenced from December 2014. The first look of the film was released on 17th December 2014. The film was shot at a rapid pace in and around Mysore, with an action sequence filmed at the tourist destination, Srirangapatna. Notably, actor Sri Murali lent his voice for a track in the film. The climax scenes, shot in April 2015, were particularly challenging for the actor, who reportedly spent nearly 12 hours underwater for the shoot.
Tarakaasura (transl. Demon Protector) a 2018 Indian action thriller, marked another milestone in his career. Written and directed by Chandrashekar Bandiyappa and produced by Narasimhulu, the film introduced Vybhav and also starred Manvitha. The film marked the Kannada debut of Danny Sapani, who played the lead villain. The film received a tremendous response for its unique storyline based on the “Budbudke” tribe, also known as Halakki Vokkaliga, which is on the brink of extinction. This film further showcased his versatility and commitment to bringing diverse stories to the screen.
| Year | Film | Director | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Aane Pataaki | Remake of the Hollywood film The Party (1968 film) by Blake Edwards | ||
| 2015 | Rathavara | Nominated SIIMA Best Director[3] | ||
| 2018 | Tharakaasura | Nominated to SIIMA best debut hero and best male negative role and 'chitrasanthe' award for best story[4] [5] | ||
| 2023 | Red collar | Shoot complete | ||
| 2024 | Chowkidar | The Sandalwood film Pruthvi Ambaar and Dhanya Ramkumar | ||