Nagraj Manjule

Manjule grew up in Jeur village in the Solapur district of Maharashtra.[5][6] He belongs to the traditionally-nomadic Waddar community, a Dravidian tribe considered low caste.[7]

He earned his M.A. in Marathi literature from University of Pune, followed by a master's in communication studies from New Arts, Science and Commerce College, Ahmednagar.[1][8]

Nagraj Manjule is strongly inspired by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the emancipator of downtrodden and the father of the Indian constitution.[9][10][11]

Nagraj's films are deeply rooted in his own experience growing up as a dalit in rural Maharashtra.[12] [13]

His films have focused on the plights faced by members of these communities, including social discrimination at the hands of high-caste communities as well as the resulting economic hardships.[14]

His first National Award-winning short film Pistulya is a reflection of his 'felt experience'.[15] The film focuses on the desire of a dalit boy to attend school, and his inability to do so because of his family's poverty and a deep seated disdain for formal education within his community.

His debut feature film, Fandry, was released in February 2014; the word means "pig" in the Kaikadi language.[1][8] The film focuses on the hardships faced by a Kaikadi family living in poverty on the outskirts of a village whose social and economic structure is dominated by members of savarna communities. Fandry garnered critical acclaim.[16]

Manjule's second film, Sairat, premiered at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. Like Fandry and Pistulya, it deals with caste discrimination and honour killing, a practice still widespread in parts of India. Sairat also seeks to address the role of women in society, with the character of Archie (Archana Patil), the female protagonist of Sairat, garnering both popular and critical acclaim. Sairat is currently the highest grossing Marathi film of all time.[17] Manjule is making his directorial debut in hindi films with Jhund starring Amitabh Bachchan.[18]

Starting from 2019, Manjule stepped into Amitabh Bachchan’s shoes, to host Marathi Kaun Banega Crorepati.[19]

• Unhachya Kataviruddha - poetry

• Nagraj Manjule at IMDb
• NAGRAJ MANJULE at nagrajmanjule.in