Nag Ashwin

Nag Ashwin Reddy[1] is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his works in Telugu cinema. He made his directorial debut in 2015 with the coming-of-age philosophical drama film Yevade Subramanyam.

Nag Ashwin
Ashwin in 2023
Born
Nag Ashwin Reddy

Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
Years active2008–present
SpousePriyanka Dutt
Children1

In 2018, he directed the biographical film Mahanati, starring Keerthy Suresh as yesteryear actress Savitri.[2] At the 66th National Film Awards 2019, the film won accolades including the Best Feature Film in Telugu.[3][4] Nag Ashwin received the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu at the 66th Filmfare Awards South.[5]

Mahanati was showcased in the Indian Panorama Mainstream section at the 49th International Film Festival of India,[6] and has also garnered the "Equality in Cinema Award" at the 2018 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.[7]

Early life

Nag Ashwin was born in Hyderabad, Telangana to Jayaram and Jayanthi Reddy, both of whom are doctors. He has a younger sister, Nikhila Reddy, who is also a doctor.[8] He studied in Hyderabad Public School and received bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from MIC, Manipal.[9] He then did a Film Direction course at the New York Film Academy.[10]

Career

Early career
Ashwin (third from right) receiving an award from Venkaiah Naidu (third from left), the Vice President of India in 2018

Nag Ashwin began his career as an assistant director for the film Nenu Meeku Telusa?.[11] He then proceeded to work as an assistant director with Sekhar Kammula for the films Leader and Life Is Beautiful and acted in a minor role in this film as a "gold phase" guy.[12][13]

Debut and Critical acclaim

He made his directorial debut with Yevade Subramanyam (2015), which received mixed-to-positive reviews. It was a sleeper-hit and gained a cult following post-release. In May 2016, he announced that his next film would be a biopic of the Indian actress, Savitri, titled Mahanati. He spent six months researching about her life by reading articles and books, in addition to meeting old journalists and actors that associated with her.

Backed by Vyjayanthi Movies, principal photography for the film began in May 2017 and was completed by March 2018. The film released on 9 May 2018 garnering both critical and commercial acclaim, and went on to win several awards.

In February 2020, he announced his next project, a science fiction action film, with the working title, Project K, with Vyjayanthi Movies. However, the production was delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming began in July 2021, with a futuristic set erected at Ramoji Film City, in Hyderabad. Being produced on a 600 crore budget, it is one of the most expensive Indian film to be made. Prabhas was roped in as the lead actor, following which, Deepika Padukone was signed to play opposite him.[14] In October, Amitabh Bachchan was confirmed to be playing a full-length role. In May 2022, Disha Patani joined the cast and in June 2023, Kamal Hassan was confirmed to be a part of the film. The music is being composed by Santhosh Narayanan, and cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic. It is slated to release in January 2024.

Personal life

In December 2015, Ashwin married Priyanka Dutt, the second daughter of producer C. Ashwini Dutt, of Vyjayanthi Movies.[8] The couple has a son.[15]

Filmography
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
  • All films are in Telugu, unless noted otherwise.
Year Film Director Writer Producer Notes Ref.
2015Yevade Subramanyam YesYesNo
2018Mahanati YesYesNo
2021Pitta Kathalu YesYesNo Netflix anthology film; Segment: xLife [16][17]
2021 Jathi Ratnalu NoNoYes[18]
2024 Kalki 2898 AD † YesYesNoFilming [19]

As assistant director
  • All films are in Telugu, unless noted otherwise.
Year Film Notes
2008Nenu Meeku Telusa
2010Leader
2012Life Is BeautifulActed in a minor role as a gold phase guy.

Awards and nominations
Film Awards Category Result Ref.
Yevade Subramanyam Nandi Awards Best Debut Director Won [20]
5th SIIMA Award Best Director Nominated [21]
Mahanati 66th Filmfare Awards South Best Director Won [22]
66th National Film Awards Best Feature Film - Telugu Won [4]
8th SIIMA Award Best Director Nominated [23]
Zee Cine Awards Telugu Best Director Won [24]
Ramineni Foundation Awards Best Director Won [25]

References
  1. "Vice Prez presents Ramineni foundation awards". Business Standard. 7 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  2. "Nag Ashwin's next a biopic on legendary actress Savitri". The Indian Express. 27 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 23 October 2016."Dulquer surrenders to his role: Nag Ashwin - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  3. "66th National Film Awards winners' list: 'Andhadhun', 'KGF', 'Padmaavat' win the prestigious award - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  4. "66th National Film Awards: Full winners list". India Today. Ist. Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  5. "Winners of the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  6. "IFFI 2018 Announces Official Selection for Indian Panorama Film Section". 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  7. "Mahanati: 100 glorious days of an undisputed classic! - in.com". in.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018.
  8. "PIX: Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu at Nag Ashwin-Priyanka's wedding reception". Rediff. Archived from the original on 14 January 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  9. Chowdhary, Y. Sunita (9 February 2015). "An eye for story". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  10. "Nag Ashwin to Tharun Bhascker, 7 Telugu directors who studied abroad". The News Minute. 25 December 2020. Archived from the original on 25 December 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  11. "Nenu Meeku Telusa - Full Cast & Crew". IMDB. Archived from the original on 26 September 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  12. "An eye for story". The Hindu. 9 February 2015. Archived from the original on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  13. "This film came at the right time". The Hindu. 17 February 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  14. "Prabhas and Deepika Padukone to star in Nag Ashwin's film". The Indian Express. 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  15. "It's a boy for Nag Ashwin & Priyanka! - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  16. "Pitta Kathalu teaser: Netflix's first Telugu film looks intriguing". The Indian Express. 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 2 March 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  17. "NetFilx Pitta Kathalu : తెలుగులో మొదటిసారిగా నలుగురు హీరోయిన్స్‌తో నెట్‌ఫ్లిక్స్ అలాంటీ వెబ్ సిరీస్.. టీజర్ విడుదల." News18 Telugu. 20 January 2021. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  18. "'Mahanati' director Nah Ashwin turns producer". The Hindu. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  19. K, Janani (24 July 2021). "Prabhas gives first clap for Amitabh Bachchan as Nag Ashwin's sci-fi film goes on floors". India Today. Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  20. "2015 Nandi Awards". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  21. "SIIMA 2016 Telugu movie nominations revealed; 'Baahubali,' 'Srimanthudu' lead the list5". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 26 May 2016.
  22. "Winners of the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  23. "SIIMA 2019 winners full list: Dhanush, Trisha, Prithviraj win big". Indian Express. 17 August 2019. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  24. "Tollywood's first and biggest Awards event of the Year on Zee Telugu". Zee News. 25 January 2019. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  25. "Tollywood's first and biggest Awards event of the Year on Zee Telugu". Zee News. 25 January 2019. Archived from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
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