About the Director
The creative vision behind authentic Kannada cinema
Biography
Ninasam Manju
Ninasam Manju is a distinguished Kannada film director whose artistic vision draws deeply from his roots in Karnataka’s rich theatrical tradition. His journey in storytelling began at the renowned Ninasam cultural center in Heggodu, where he absorbed the essence of performance, narrative craft, and the power of connecting with audiences on an emotional level.
With his Directionl Debtue Mooka Hakki(2017) & Kanneri (2022), Manju established himself as a filmmaker with a distinctive voice—one that celebrates the beauty of ordinary lives while exploring the profound depths of human emotion. His approach to cinema is characterized by authenticity, a deep respect for his subjects, and an unwavering commitment to honest storytelling.
Manju’s work reflects his belief that the most powerful stories are often found in the everyday experiences of people. His films explore themes of love, loss, community bonds, and the resilience of the human spirit, always grounded in the cultural landscape of Karnataka.
Buddideepa Cinema House
Buddideepa Cinema House is the creative engine behind Ninasam Manju’s cinematic projects. It serves as his independent production banner, and its name itself carries deep meaning: “Buddi” (intellect/wisdom) and “Deepa” (lamp/light), symbolizing a “Lamp of Wisdom.”
Key Activities of Buddideepa Cinema House
Production of Socially Conscious Films: The banner is best known for producing and presenting Kanneri (2022). Under this house, Manju ensures that the production values reflect the raw and authentic nature of the stories he tells, often filming on location in tribal areas to maintain realism.
Platform for New Talent: True to his roots in theatre, Manju uses Buddideepa to provide opportunities for theatre artists and newcomers. Many of the actors in his films come from a stage background rather than the mainstream “star” system.
Creative Freedom: By running his own production house, Manju maintains full creative control. This allows him to tackle sensitive subjects—like the Diddalli tribe’s eviction or nomadic life—without the pressure of making the story more “marketable” for a traditional mass audience.
Digital Presence and Experiments: Interestingly, the banner has also experimented with short-form digital content and collaborations. For example, it has been associated with various digital sketches and promotional content featuring popular Kannada comedic talent like Kuri Gangu, showing that the house is also exploring the modern digital landscape.
Awards & Recognisation
Karnataka State Film Award (2019): Manju’s film Kanneri won the Best Film of Social Concern. This is one of the highest honors in the state, awarded to films that tackle significant societal issues—in this case, the displacement and struggle of the Diddalli tribal community.
Critical Acclaim for “Mooka Hakki”: While it didn’t sweep major commercial awards, his debut film Mooka Hakki was widely praised at film festivals and by critics for its “realistic and empathetic” portrayal of nomadic tribes.
Other Awards
ಕರುನಾಡ ರತ್ನ
ಕಲಾರತ್ನ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ
ಅತ್ಯುತಮ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ
ಅತ್ಯುತಮ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ
Nominations & Film Festivals
ಗೋಲ್ಡನ್ ಜೂಬ್ಲೀ ಅಂತಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಫೈನಾಲಿಸ್ಟ್
ನಿಟ್ಟೆ ಅಂತರ್ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಿಯ ಸಿನಿಮೋತ್ಸವ
ಟ್ಯಾಗೋರ್ ಅಂತರರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರೋತ್ಸವ (TIFF)
ಮೂಕ ಹಕ್ಕಿ ಅಂತರ್ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಸಿನಿಮೋತ್ಸವದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗಿ
ಕನ್ನೇರಿ ಸಿನೆಮಾಕ್ಕೆ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ಕಾಳಜಿ ಚಿತ್ರ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಅವಾರ್ಡ್ ವಿನ್ನರ್
Recognisation
Kanneri and Ninasam Manju received significant international recognition at the Tagore International Film Festival (TIFF) in West Bengal.
The film was highly celebrated there, winning awards that highlighted both Manju’s direction and the film’s social impact. Here are the specific accolades:
Tagore International Film Festival (TIFF) Awards
Best Director: Ninasam Manju won this for his sensitive and visually compelling storytelling.
Best Film on Women: This was a major win, recognizing the film’s focus on the female protagonist, Kanneri, and her struggle against the systemic displacement of her people.
Outstanding Achievement Award: The film received this for its overall cinematic quality and narrative depth.
Why These Awards Are Notable
Winning at the Tagore International Film Festival is particularly meaningful for a filmmaker like Manju because:
Cultural Context: TIFF is held in Shantiniketan, the “Abode of Peace” founded by Rabindranath Tagore. For a director whose work is deeply rooted in literature and social realism, receiving an award from a land associated with India’s greatest literary figure is a significant “full-circle” moment.
Global Platform: These wins helped Kanneri gain visibility outside of Karnataka, proving that the local struggles of the Diddalli tribe had a universal emotional resonance.
Fun Fact: The film didn’t just win at TIFF; it also made waves at the Port Blair International Film Festival and the Gangtok International Film Festival, making it one of the most decorated Kannada films of 2022 in the “Social Concern” category.
Creative Philosophy
Authenticity
Every frame must breathe truth. Characters should feel like people you might know, their struggles and joys universally relatable.
Emotion
Cinema is the art of evoking feelings. A film succeeds when it moves the heart and lingers in memory long after the credits roll.
Roots
Karnataka's landscapes, traditions, and people provide an endless well of inspiration. Local stories carry universal truths.
Theatre & Influences
The Ninasam heritage—a cultural institution that has shaped generations of artists— runs deep in Manju’s creative DNA. The discipline of theatre, with its emphasis on live performance, ensemble work, and direct audience connection, has profoundly influenced his approach to filmmaking.
His cinematic language draws from masters of Indian parallel cinema, particularly those who championed realism and social consciousness. At the same time, he remains deeply connected to Karnataka’s folk traditions, finding in them a treasure trove of storytelling techniques, visual motifs, and emotional textures.
"Cinema, like theatre, is ultimately about truth—the truth of human experience, captured in light and shadow, in silence and sound."