Kishan Shrikanth

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. , 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.

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.

Career

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

As an actor + Acting roles Year Title Role Notes 2001 Grama Devathe Kishan Hello Narada 2002 Law and Order Kishan Vamshakobba Chandu Bablu Laali Haadu Kishan Hello Kishan also singer Neenu Ilde Naanu Illa Kane 2003 Excuse Me Kishan Swathi Muthu Krishnamurthy 2004 Saradara 2005 Maharaja Jogi Thunta Shambu Encounter Dayanayak Dayanayak (young) 2006 C/o Footpath Slummu Also director, singer Thutturi Abhin Miss California Boy in the song "Mailari Linga" Also playback singer Aishwarya Chintu 2007 Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide Chili Pili Hakkigalu 2008 Moggina Manasu Chanchala's brother Gnana Jyothi Sri Siddaganga 2013 Teenage Arya Also editor 2015 Care of Footpath 2 Krishna 2015 Kill Them Young Krishna Hindi film

As singer Jootata (2005)

Awards and recognitions 2003 Hello Gandhinagara Awards – Best Child Actor for Swathi Muthu

2006

Golden Lotus National Film Award for Best Children's Film (Care of Footpath) – 54th National Film Awards Jury's Special Award (Care of Footpath) – Karnataka State Award Best Child Actor (Care of Footpath) – Karnataka State Award Opening Film – Kids for Kids International Film Festival, Cyprus

2007

Telephono Azzuro (Children's Right) – Giffoni International Film Festival, Italy Chamber of Deputies Award - Second Best Film for Care of Footpath – Giffoni International Film Festival, Italy Children's Rights Award – The Film and Television Association of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India Closing Film – Busan International Film Festival, South Korea Official Selection – Chinh India Film Festival, New Delhi, India Official Selection – Mumbai Children's Film Festival

2008

National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement – Government 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.