D. Shankar Singh

His first directorial project was Jaganmohini in 1951. The film is recorded in history as one of the first Kannada films to have screened for over 100 days in cinema halls. Some of the popular films under his production and direction include Bhakta Ramadas (1948), Nagakannika (1949), Dallali (1953), Madiddunno Maraaya (1954), Gandharva Kanya (1955), Bhale Kiladi (1970) and Bangarada Kalla (1973).

• Name — D. Shankar Singh • Birthplace — Kingdom of Mysore, British India • Occupation — Film director, screenwriter, producer • Spouse — Prathima Devi • Relatives — S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu (son) Vijayalakshmi Singh (daughter) Jai Jagadish (son-in-law) Aditya (grandson) Rishika Singh (grand daughter)

Shankar Singh was an employee with the Brooke Bond Tea company. His interest towards films brought him closer to yet another budding director B. Vittalacharya. In 1942, they both initially formed two touring talkies named after Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru and called them "Mahatma Touring Talkies" and "Jawahar Touring Talkies" respectively. He actively took part in the freedom struggles during the British rule in India and was a staunch follower of Gandhi. Following the successful run of the touring talkies units, the duo formed a new production house and named it "Mahatma Pictures" in 1946. In 1947, the production house released their first venture Krishnaleela, starring Kemparaj Urs in the lead role, the film also featured Varadaraj, younger brother of actor Rajkumar and Sharadamma, both making their debuts. The film was directed by C. V. Raju and had a musical score by P. Kalinga Rao, who was noted from this film and also marked the debut of the lyricist Kunigal Prabhakar Shastry and acclaimed writer Hunsur Krishnamurthy. The film was received well with Varadaraj's comedy role of Makaranda being appreciated. Their second production project was in 1948, with the Kemparaj Urs-directed devotional drama Bhakta Ramadas. In 1949, Singh and Vittalacharya produced Nagakannika, directed by G. Vishwanathan and featuring Jayashri in the lead role. The film was talked about for its glamorous role portrayed by Jayashri. In the next decade, Singh became a full-fledged screenwriter and director with his debut film Jaganmohini, becoming one of the first most commercially successful films in Kannada cinema history. Starring Harini and Prathima Devi, the film screened across Karnataka for more than 100 days. In 1952, he partnered with Vittalacharya in both direction and production for the film Sri Srinivasa Kalyana, featuring Vimalananda Das and Prathima Devi in stellar roles. It also marked the film-acting debut of Rajkumar, who was given a brief character to play; one of the seven Saptarishis. In 1953, Singh produced and directed Dallali, featuring Subbanna in the lead role and in the same year he introduced his son Rajendra Singh Babu in the film Chanchala Kumari. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Singh produced and directed many successful films and became one of the most commercially viable artists in Kannada cinema. All his films were shot at the Navajyothi Studio in Mysore.

Shankar Singh was married to the actress Prathima Devi, who played lead roles in many of his directorial and production projects. Their son Rajendra Singh Babu and daughter Vijayalakshmi Singh are both Kannada film directors and producers. Actor Auditya is his grandson and actress Rishika Singh is his granddaughter.

• Year — Film — Credited as — Notes • Director — Story — Producer • 1947 — Krishnaleela — Debut feature • 1948 — Bhakta Ramadas • 1949 — Nagakannika • 1951 — Jaganmohini — Released in Kannada and Tamil • 1952 — Sri Srinivasa Kalyana • 1953 — Dallali • 1953 — Chanchala Kumari • 1953 — Sowbhagya Lakshmi • 1953 — Sri Krishna • 1954 — Muttidella Chinna • 1954 — Maadiddunno Maharaaya • 1955 — Gandharva Kanya • 1955 — Aashadaboothi • 1955 — Shivasharane Nambiyakka • 1956 — Daiva Sankalpa • 1957 — Prabhulinga Leele • 1958 — Mangala Suthra • 1960 — Shivalinga Sakshi • 1961 — Raja Satyavrata • 1961 — Bhakta Chetha • 1962 — Sri Dharmasthala Mahathme • 1970 — Bhale Khiladi • 1971 — Onde Kula Onde Daiva • 1973 — Jwala Mohini • 1973 — Bangarada Kalla • 1975 — Nagakanye