Director

Raj B. Shetty

Raj B. Shetty is one of contemporary Indian cinema's most exciting voices, though if you've only caught him in Bollywood, you're missing out on where he's really been making waves. Born in Karnataka and primarily working in Kannada cinema since 2015, Shetty announced himself spectacularly with his debut film Ondu Motteya Kathe (2017), which snagged the Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Film and immediately positioned him as a filmmaker to watch. He followed this up with the critically acclaimed Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021)—a film that earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada and garnered festival buzz far beyond regional cinema circles. Through his production house, Lighter Buddha Films, Shetty has maintained creative control over his projects while establishing himself as a truly multifaceted artist who writes, produces, and directs his own vision. What sets Shetty apart is his commitment to rooted, authentic storytelling that feels refreshingly grounded in a landscape often dominated by spectacle. His cinematic style is distinctly contemplative and character-driven, mining depth from seemingly ordinary moments and exploring the complexities of human nature with remarkable nuance. While he's built his reputation in Kannada cinema, winning multiple SIIMA Awards and critical accolades, Shetty's recent foray into Malayalam cinema with Rudhiram (2023) signals his expanding footprint across Indian film industries. He represents a new generation of regional filmmakers who refuse to compromise their artistic integrity for wider commercial appeal—and somehow, audiences keep rewarding him for it.