Nagraj Manjule is an famous Indian film director, actor, producer, scriptwriter, poet and screenwriter. His full name is Nagraj Popatrao Manjule. He was born on 24th August 1978 in Jeur, Maharashtra, India. He made his directorial debut with the feature film Fandry in 2014, a powerful commentary on caste-based discrimination in rural India. The title, which translates to “pig” in the Kaikadi language, serves as a stark metaphor for the dehumanization faced by the Dalit community. Fandry received widespread acclaim and earned the prestigious Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director, marking Manjule as a bold new voice in Indian cinema.

Following the success of Fandry, Manjule directed Sairat (2016), which premiered at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. Sairat tackled issues of caste discrimination and honor killings, themes consistent with his earlier works. The film also explored gender dynamics through the strong and independent female lead, Archie (Archana Patil), whose character became an icon. Sairat broke numerous box office records to become the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time, cementing Manjule’s status as a filmmaker of substance and popularity.

In addition to filmmaking, Manjule hosted the Marathi version of Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2019, showcasing his versatility and connection with the public. He ventured into Hindi cinema with his directorial debut Jhund (2022), starring Amitabh Bachchan, a film that was both critically and commercially appreciated.

In 2023, Manjule acted in Ghar Banduk Biryani, portraying a police officer. This role marked his first on-screen collaboration with Sayaji Shinde and his third with actor Akash Thosar, further expanding his creative journey.