Indrajit Lankesh is an Indian filmmaker, producer, and director of Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films. He is also the publisher of the weekly Kannada tabloid Lankesh Patrike. He is the son of iconic writer, journalist and film maker P. Lankesh. Lankesh comes from a prominent family of journalists and media publishers. His father P.Lankesh founded the highly successful weekly tabloid Lankesh Patrike. His sister Kavitha Lankesh is a filmmaker and his other sister Gauri Lankesh was a journalist/activist
Early life of Indrajit Lankesh
Born in Shimoga, Indrajit was raised in Bangalore. He did his schooling at Kumarans and College in St. Joseph College Bangalore. Indrajit played cricket for Karnataka State Junior Level and South Zone Junior level, moving on to represent 1st division Karnataka League. They were champions then. Indrajit excelled at his sports and was awarded the Best Wicket Keeper Award by C Nagaraj -the then Secretary of Karnataka State Cricket Association. He as a sportsman and son of an iconic writer, journalist P Lankesh, started a Kannada sports weekly –All Rounder. It grew to be the highest selling Sports Weekly in Karnataka with a readership of 5 lakhs.
Lankesh Patrike
is an Indian vernacular weekly published in Kannada language from Bengaluru, Karnataka. The weekly newspaper was started by his father, P.Lankesh, in 1980—along the lines of Harijan, a weekly journal published by Mahatma Gandhi. The weekly remains to this day, true to its founding principles, having never published a single advertisement nor having generated any advertisement revenue, surviving on subscription from its readers alone. After working with All Rounder, Indrajit joined Lankesh Patrike as a sub-editor sometime in 1992-93. He now serves as the publisher and managing editor of the weekly newspaper.
Director
Lankesh began his career as a director in 2001. His debut film, Thuntata, was an Aniruddh - Rekha Vedavyas- Chaya Singh starrer, which won him the V. Shantaram Award for Best Debutant Director, along with the Shankarnag Award for the same. Following the success of Thuntata, Lankesh came up with a real-life incident based film Lankesh Patrike. Darshan and singer-turned-actor Vasundhara Das featured in this film. In 2004, Lankesh directed the film Monalisa starring Dhyan and Sadha in the lead roles. This film brought him to the limelight again and he received the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Director and Best Film. Monalisa had a successful run of 25 weeks across Karnataka. The film was one of the first Kannada films to be screened in the Multiplexes. The film 'Monalisa' also had a rare distinction of being dubbed in all South Indian languages. In 2006, he directed the film Aishwarya starring Upendra in the lead. This was the debut film for the Bollywood actressDeepika Padukone. The film opened to full houses, and Lankesh won the Filmfare Award for Best Director. Lankesh then went on to direct the commercial potboiler Huduga Hudugi, with Dhyan in the lead role. Actresses Sadha and Ileana made special appearances in the same film. In 2012, Lankesh’s Diganth and Charmee Kaur starrer, Dev Son of Mudde Gowda released to mostly mixed reviews from the audience and critics alike. In 2015 Lankesh directed Luv U Alia starring V. Ravichandran, Bhumika Chawla and Chandan Kumar.
Social activism
Indrajit Lankesh belongs to a majority Veerashaiva Lingayat community in Karnataka. He is very active and committed to Veerashaiva Lingayat united religious movement. He is a role model to a lot of youngsters by inspiring them in his committed effort to keep the Veerashaiva Lingayat Dharma united. He participated in a huge rally under the leadership of the Panchapeeta Sri Jagadguru from Rambapuri, Ujjain, Shreeshaila and Kashi. Indrajit Lankesh gave an inspiring speech in front of 5 lakhs audience gathered across India. Indrajit Lankesh had also organized a huge function “Leaders in the footsteps of Basavanna” in Town Hall in Bangalore in 2017. Former chief minister Mr B.S. Yeddiyurappa presided over the function along with Veerashaiva Lingayat pontiffs Sri Sri Sirigere Taralabalu Swamiji. Sri Sri Suttur Swamiji and Sri Sri Siddaganga Swamiji. Ms Shoba Karandlaje was the chief guest. With a packed house filled with people across Karnataka, Indrajit Lankesh spoke and inspired people with the history of Basavanna and Veerashaiva Lingayat culture.
Philanthropy
Indrajit Lankesh also is actively working in helping children of the lesser god, mentally challenged kids. He is been celebrating his birthday with them in their homes since 2000. He is been helping them with books, clothes and food every year. Indrajit Lankesh also is been educating two tribal kids since 2005 by looking after their education and school fees, etc. Indrajit Lankesh also honoured late Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad wife with Rs One Lakh after her husband’s sad demise. Indrajit Lankesh has also been condemning murders in Karnataka in the name of religion and caste. He has been actively protesting against politicising the issues, especially of Deepak Rao and Basheer. Lankesh also supported these families of the victims with monetary funds. Indrajit Lankesh also visited Dhanamma’s family. Along with condolences message, Lankesh consoled them with financial aid. Dhanamma, a minor Dalit girl was brutally raped and killed in Vijaypura district in north Karnataka.
Television
Indrajit Lankesh plays the permanent celebrity judge and is a household name with his presence and performance in “MAJA TALKIES”. Maja Talkies, a family comedy show, is the longest run reality show in the history of Indian television. It has the highest TRP and the most popular show among Kannadigas across the world.
