Kishan Shrikanth (born 6 January 1996), also known as Kishan SS or Master Kishan, is an Indian filmmaker and actor recognized by Guinness World Records as the youngest director of a professionally made feature-length film from Bangalore, Karnataka. As of January 2006[update], having acted in 24 films and in many popular Indian soap opera (more than 299 episodes), he directed a feature film, C/o Footpath (Care of Footpath), about an orphaned boy who wants to go to school. The film is adapted from a short story written by himself, and the cast includes prominent Indian actors such as Jackie Shroff and Saurabh Shukla.

In 2006, Kishan Shrikanth was recognized by Guinness World Records as the youngest director of a professionally made feature-length film, having directed Care of Footpath at the age of 9.

Personal life

Kishan Shrikanth was born on 6 January 1996 in Bangalore to Shrikanth H. R., a commercial tax officer, and Shylaja, a sound technician-turned-composer. He has a sister.[citation needed]

Education

Kishan Shrikanth finished his 10th Standard at Camlin English School. He wrote to the government requesting to grant permission to directly take up a Masters Program (Master of Arts in Multimedia & Animation) directly after 10th grade at age of 15. It took him a year to convince various authorities and a technical evaluation was conducted to confirm his eligibility to take up the course. He was admitted into the Masters Program at the age of 16 and went on to become the youngest master's degree earner. He holds an MA in Multimedia.

Films

Care of Footpath

In 2006, at the age of 9, Kishan directed Care of Footpath, a Kannada-language film featuring several prominent Indian actors. The film was later dubbed into multiple Indian languages and screened at international film festivals.

The story follows an orphaned boy adopted by an old lady living in a slum who, after being mocked by schoolchildren for being uneducated, resolves to pursue an education despite overwhelming odds. The narrative, reportedly inspired by the lives of Thomas Alva Edison, Michael Faraday, and former Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, explores themes of perseverance and social upliftment.Rao, Subha J. (17 October 2006). . The Hindu. The film was originally released in Kannada on 26 November 2006. It successfully ran for more than 100 days in Karnataka.

Shroff commented on him saying that "He is such a genius that I had to work in his film. He is constantly thinking about his next shot, constantly innovating to make it better. He is sure about what he wants from his actors".

Later Work

In 2015, Kishan Shrikanth directed Care of Footpath 2, a trilingual sequel to his earlier film. The movie explores themes of juvenile delinquency and the justice system, featuring actors such as Esha Deol and Avika Gor.

The film was submitted for consideration at the 88th Academy Awards through a qualifying theatrical release in Los Angeles. The film premiered in Los Angeles in October 2015, ahead of its Indian release.

Filmography

Directed feature films

Film
YearTitleNotesRef.
2006C/o FootpathAlso story writer and playback singer
2015Care of Footpath 2Also editor and music composer

As an actor

Acting roles
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2001Grama DevatheKishan
Hello Narada
2002Law and OrderKishan
Vamshakobba
ChanduBablu
Laali HaaduKishan
HelloKishanalso singer
Neenu Ilde Naanu Illa Kane
2003Excuse MeKishan
Swathi MuthuKrishnamurthy
2004Saradara
2005Maharaja
Jogi
Thunta
Shambu
Encounter DayanayakDayanayak (young)
2006C/o FootpathSlummuAlso director, singer
ThutturiAbhin
Miss CaliforniaBoy in the song "Mailari Linga"Also playback singer
AishwaryaChintu
2007Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide
Chili Pili Hakkigalu
2008Moggina ManasuChanchala's brother
Gnana Jyothi Sri Siddaganga
2013TeenageAryaAlso editor
2015Care of Footpath 2Krishna
2015Kill Them YoungKrishnaHindi film

As singer

Awards and recognitions

2003

  • Hello Gandhinagara AwardsBest Child Actor for Swathi Muthu

2006

2007

2008

  • National Child Award for Exceptional AchievementGovernment of India
  • International Children's Jury Prize – Cairo International Film Festival for Children, Egypt
  • International Jury Prize (Adult Jury) – Cairo International Film Festival for Children, Egypt
  • Special Honorary Award – Alexandria International Film Festival (Journalist Syndicate, Cairo)
  • Best Film Children's Jury Award (Care of Footpath) – 5th International Youth Film Festival (FICI), Spain
  • Best Actor Award (Care of Footpath) – 5th International Youth Film Festival (FICI), Spain
  • Special Honorary Award – 2nd Emotion Pictures International Festival on Disability-Athens, Greece
  • Best Child Actor Silver Elephant Award – 15th Golden Elephant International Children's Film Festival, India
  • Special Jury Award – South India Cinematographers Association-Chennai, India
  • Closing Film – Flicks International Film Festival for Children, Saskatoon, Canada
  • Official Selection-22nd International Festival of Films for Children & Young Adults, (competitive section), Tehran, Iran
  • Official Selection –Armenia International Film Festival for the Children, Armenia

2009

  • Official Selection & American Premier- SAIFF (South Asian International Film Festival), New York

2012

  • Karnataka Government permits to take Post graduation directly after 10th standard.
  • 4th TiE-Aspire Young Achiever Award

2014

  • Kishan enters The Forbes India 30 Under 30 List, the youngest entrepreneur to be recognised by Forbes.
  • , Rediff, 12 January 2006. Accessed 13 January 2006.
  • , Viggy.com, undated. Accessed 13 January 2006.
  • Dean Nelson, . The Sunday Times (London), 22 January 2006. Accessed 4 February 2006.
  • Varuna Verma, , The Telegraph (Calcutta), 2 October 2005. Accessed 13 January 2006.
  • . BBC. Accessed 25 January 2006.
  • . BBC, 24 January 2006. Accessed 4 February 2006.
  • Rediff Patcy N | 16 January 2006 21:59 IST
  • NDTV 24 March 2008.
  • "New York Daily News" 22 September 2012.
  • IANS, "DNA India" 17 September 2008.
  • Prathibha Joy, "Times of India" 6 February 2013.
  • Youngest in Forbes' 30 under 30, filmmaker Kishan is raring to go, Times of India. 10 Feb 2014

External links