Seshu Shankar, better known by his stage nameShakalaka Shankar, is an Indian actor who works in Telugu-language films. Known for his comic roles, Shankar is one of the highest paid Telugu film comedians in 2017.[2]
Career
Shankar dropped out of school in 10th standard and moved to Hyderabad in 2002 to pursue a career in films. Owing to lack of opportunities, he worked as painter for few years, and took up odd jobs in the film industry such as light-man and office boy.[3]
Shankar got is first opportunity in Notebook (2007).[4] He then went to feature in comedy show Jabardasth, where he gained recognition.[1][5] Shankar subsequently moved on to films. In 2017, he starred in Anando Brahma which was a box office success.[6] Regarding his role, a critic noted that "Shakalaka Shankar brings the house down when he mimics popular actors and their iconic dialogues to baffle the ghost".[7]
He appeared in several comic roles before debuting as a lead actor with Shambho Shankara (2018).[8][9] Later that year, he starred in Driver Ramudu, which is yet to release.[10][11] He considers actor-politician Pawan Kalyan as his role model.[12][13]
In 2020, Shankar played Ram Gopal Varma in the film Parannageevi.[14][15] He is again reprising the role in Ram Gopal Varma's biopic.[16][17] Two more films where Shankar appears in a lead role, Lord Grandfather and Bomma Adirindi - Dimma Tirigindi are also under production.[4][18]
