P Sheshadri is an Indian film director and producer, specifically associated with Kannada feature films. He has made twelve Kannada feature films and eight of them have won the prestigious National Film Awards. He holds a Master’s degree in Kannada Literature and a Diploma in Journalism. After a short stint as a journalist, he entered the world of television and films.
P. Seshadri’s debut film as a director is an adaptation of a Kannada short story that narrates the life of the Muslim community living along the sea coast in Mangalore. The film, titled ‘Munnudi’, won two National Awards: the Best Film on Other Social Issues and the Best Supporting Actor. It also bagged and six Karnataka State film awards.
Along with this, the eight other feature films he has made deal with issues of social concern that have national importance. To give a brief account of his films, his second feature film ‘Atithi’ (2002) – ‘The Guest’ - deals with the effects of terrorism on a common man. ‘Beru’ (2004) – ‘The Root’ -is a visual treatment of the life of a folk singer; the film also deals with deep-rooted corruption in society. ‘Thutturi’ (2005) – ‘The Bugle’ - is a children’s film that portrays how urbanization is affecting the lives of children in the present. ‘Vimukthi’ (2008)- ‘Liberation’ - deals with Electra Complex and the significance attached to dying in Kashi for attaining salvation. ‘Vidaaya’, (2015) – ‘Adieu’ – brings varied opinions on euthanasia in the Indian context to the fore. ‘Bharath Stores’ (2012) is a comment on the impact of major economic phenomena like FDI and LPG on the local economy. ‘BettadaJeeva’ (2010) -‘Life on the Mountains’ –a tribute to the zest for life of an individual and upholds value systems and deep bonds of human relationships. ‘December 1’ (2013) is a satire on the nature of electoral politics which treats the suffering of the poor as an opportunity to shore up its image, and the role of the media in sensationalizing it. ‘Beti’ (2016) – ‘A Girl Child’ – is a reflection on the social evil of preferring a male child over a girl.
In addition to feature films, P. Seshadrihas spearheaded many documentaries and television serials. A feather to his cap is that he has served the Government of India as one of the jury members for the National Awards and been serving in various capacities to the Government of Karnataka in organising film festivals.