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{{Short description|Indian filmmaker (born 1982)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Anup Bhandari
| image = File:Anup Bhandari.jpg
| caption = Bhandari at SIIMA Awards
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|03|02|df=yes}}<ref name="db">{{cite web|title=Read about Rakshit Shetty's books of dreams|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Read-about-Rakshit-Shettys-book-of-dreams/articleshow/46026641.cms|work=The Times of India|date=27 January 2015|access-date=4 February 2015|archive-date=29 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729185530/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Read-about-Rakshit-Shettys-book-of-dreams/articleshow/46026641.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Puttur, Karnataka|Puttur]], [[Karnataka]], India<ref name="toi1"/>
| occupation = Film director, composer, lyricist
| alma_mater = [[Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering & Technology|VVIET]]
| yearsactive = 2015–present
| spouse = Neetha Shetty
| children = 1
| relatives = [[Nirup Bhandari]] (brother)
}}

'''Anup Bhandari''' (born 2 March 1982) is an Indian film director, composer and lyricist who works primarily in [[Cinema of Karnataka|Kannada cinema]]. He made his directorial début with the mystery thriller film ''[[Rangitaranga]]'' (2015), featuring his brother [[Nirup Bhandari]], with whom he frequently collaborates with.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Srinivasan|first1=Latha|date=13 October 2015|title='RangiTaranga' director Anup Bhandari talks about his debut Kannada film completing 100 days {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|work=DNA India|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview-rangitaranga-director-anup-bhandari-talks-about-his-debut-kannada-film-completing-100-days-2134339|access-date=25 August 2016|archive-date=16 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816020917/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview-rangitaranga-director-anup-bhandari-talks-about-his-debut-kannada-film-completing-100-days-2134339|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=3d胆码预测10中10-官网|url=http://www.rangitaranga.com/crew|website=www.rangitaranga.com|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-date=10 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910075854/http://www.rangitaranga.com/crew|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Anup Bhandari was born on 2 March 1982 in Puttur, Karnataka to Sudhakar Bhandary, the director of the television serials ''Premada Kadambari'' (1996) and ''Kurigalu Sir Kurigalu'',<ref name="B">{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/saying-it-aloud/articleshow/21909836.cms|title=Saying it aloud|website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref> and Rathna Bhandary. He was brought up in Mysore, where he started learning piano at the age of four<ref name="B"/> and obtained his bachelor's degree in Information Science from [[Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering & Technology|Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering and Technology]]. After graduating, he joined [[Infosys Technologies]] as a Software Engineer in Mysore and eventually moved to New York, where he worked for almost a decade before returning to India to make his debut feature film.<ref name="toi1">{{cite news|last1=Christopher|first1=Kavya|date=31 May 2015|title=It's hard to away from my family: Anup Bhandari - Times of India|work=The Times Of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Its-hard-to-away-from-my-family-Anup-Bhandari/articleshow/47480379.cms|access-date=25 August 2016|archive-date=11 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111075310/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Its-hard-to-away-from-my-family-Anup-Bhandari/articleshow/47480379.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/anup-bhandari-rangitaranga/articleshow/45845314.cms|title=Techie dumps job to make Kannada flick|website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref>

==Career==
Bhandari started off making short films while working for Infosys and won several awards. While in the US, he directed a short film called ''[[Words (film)|Words]]'' starring [[Russell Harvard]].<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/mar/23/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-anup-bhandari.htm|title=Filling the silence with Words|website=Rediff}}</ref> This paved way for his debut feature film ''[[RangiTaranga]]'', starring his brother [[Nirup Bhandari]], [[Radhika Narayan]], [[Avantika Shetty]] and [[P. Sai Kumar|Sai Kumar]].<ref>{{cite web|title=RANGITARANGA - Bengaluru International Film Festival|url=http://biffes.in/movie/rangitaranga/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813070730/http://biffes.in/movie/rangitaranga/|archive-date=13 August 2016|access-date=25 August 2016|publisher=engaluru International Film Festival}}</ref>

''RangiTaranga'' turned out to be one of the biggest blockbusters. It also opened overseas market for Kannada films in a big way. It became the first Kannada film to release in many countries, the first Kannada film to appear on the New York Box Office Listing and the first and only Kannada film to run for 50 days in USA.<ref>{{cite web|last=IBTimes|date=2015-08-18|title=Box Office Collection: 'RangiTaranga' Creates History to Overpower 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan', 'Baahubali', 'Vaalu' but fails to Beat "Brothers in US|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/us-box-office-collection-rangi-taranga-overpower-bajrangi-bhaijaan-beats-vaalu-brothers-643247|access-date=2021-09-07|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907003937/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/us-box-office-collection-rangi-taranga-overpower-bajrangi-bhaijaan-beats-vaalu-brothers-643247|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2020-07-28|title=Rangitaranga|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/from-kgf-to-rangitaranga-top-5-recent-films-which-made-kannada-film-industry-proud/photostory/77220737.cms|access-date=2021-09-07|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907003939/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/from-kgf-to-rangitaranga-top-5-recent-films-which-made-kannada-film-industry-proud/photostory/77220737.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 18, 2015|first=Shyam Prasad |last=S|title=Rangi Taranga does a Bahubali in USA|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/rangi-taranga/articleshow/48518571.cms|access-date=2021-09-07|website=Bangalore Mirror|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2015-08-18|title=RangiTaranga Becomes Biggest Overseas Release Ever|url=https://www.desimartini.com/news/kannada/rangitaranga-becomes-biggest-overseas-release-ever-article23229.htm|access-date=2021-09-07|website=Desimartini|language=en|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907003940/https://www.desimartini.com/news/kannada/rangitaranga-becomes-biggest-overseas-release-ever-article23229.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''RangiTaranga'' was also one of the 305 films shortlisted for the Academy Awards (The Oscars) but did not make it to the final nominations.<ref>{{cite web|date=2015-12-16|title=Never expected 'RangiTaranga' to make it to Oscar race: Anup Bhandari|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/never-expected-rangitaranga-to-make-it-to-oscar-race-anup-bhandari/|access-date=2021-09-07|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=7 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907003937/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/never-expected-rangitaranga-to-make-it-to-oscar-race-anup-bhandari/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/88th_reminder_list.pdf 88th reminder list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021011825/https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/88th_reminder_list.pdf |date=21 October 2021 }} oscars.org</ref>

Anup won several awards for his direction, music direction and lyrics including Filmfare, SIIMA, IIFA and Karnataka State Award.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Anup followed this up with ''[[Rajaratha]]'' starring Nirup and [[Avantika Shetty]]. The film is narrated from the point of view of a bus, which was voiced by [[Puneeth Rajkumar|Puneeth]]. He also provided the music and wrote lyrics for [[Rockline Productions]]' ''[[Aadi Lakshmi Puraana]]'' directed by [[V. Priya]] and starring Nirup and [[Radhika Pandit]]. 2022 saw the release of the mystery thriller ''[[Vikrant Rona]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kiccha Sudeep - Anup Bhandari's film to be titled 'vikrantrona|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sudeep-work-director-anup-bhandari-new-film-titled-phantom-109931|work=The Times of India|access-date=26 October 2019|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026190354/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sudeep-work-director-anup-bhandari-new-film-titled-phantom-109931|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Anup Bhandari is married to Neetha Shetty, who works as costume designer for all his films. They have a daughter Nishka Bhandari. His brother [[Nirup Bhandari]] is an actor, who has featured in all of his directorials.

==Filmography==
===As film director===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Notes !! {{tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 2015
| ''[[RangiTaranga]]'' || ||
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Rajaratha]]'' || ||
|-
| 2022
|''[[Vikrant Rona]]''
| || <ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/phantom-first-look-sudeep-is-vikranth-rona-6548438/|title=Phantom first look: Sudeep is Vikranth Rona|website=Indian Express|date=11 August 2020|author=Manoj Kumar R|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923222351/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/phantom-first-look-sudeep-is-vikranth-rona-6548438/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2026
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" |''Billa Ranga Baashaa '' {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}|| ||<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kiccha-sudeep-shelves-billa-ranga-baashaa-work-director-anup-bhandari-104939|title=Kiccha Sudeep shelves 'Billa Ranga Baashaa' to work with director Anup Bhandari?|website=The News Minute|date=6 June 2019|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129194428/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kiccha-sudeep-shelves-billa-ranga-baashaa-work-director-anup-bhandari-104939|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{TBA}}
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" |''Ashwattama'' {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}|| ||
|-
|}

===As an actor===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Film
!Role!! Notes
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Words (film)|Words]]'' || 'R' announcer || Short film<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WrN3v7Aw-E|title=WORDS - A Film By Anup Bhandari (FULL MOVIE HQ) *ing RUSSELL HARVARD, MIRIAM GANZ|date=27 June 2012|via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| 2015
| ''[[RangiTaranga]]''
| Gautham Suvarna||
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Rajaratha]]''
| Media reporter|| rowspan="2" | Cameo appearances
|-
| 2022
|''[[Vikrant Rona]]''
|Old photographer
|-
| 2025
| ''[[Just Married (2025 film)|Just Married]]''
| Anand|| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2024/Apr/22/cr-bobbys-directorial-debut-just-married-wraps-shoot|title=CR Bobby's directorial debut, Just Married, wraps shoot|work=Cinema Express.com|date=22 April 2024}}</ref>
|-
|}

===As lyricist===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Film !! Notes !! {{tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 2015
| ''[[RangiTaranga]]'' || ||
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Rajaratha]]'' ||
|
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Aadi Lakshmi Puraana]]'' || ||
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Dabangg 3]]''
| Kannada dubbed version || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/music/anup-bhandari-on-writing-dabangg-3-kannada-lyrics/articleshow/71982960.cms|title=Anup Bhandari on writing Dabangg 3 Kannada lyrics - Times of India|website=The Times of India|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=10 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110084952/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/music/anup-bhandari-on-writing-dabangg-3-kannada-lyrics/articleshow/71982960.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Kotigobba 3]]''
| ||
|-
| 2022
|''[[Vikrant Rona]]''|| || <ref name="auto"/>
|-
| 2024
| ''[[Max (2024 film)|Max]]''
| ||
|-
| 2026
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" |''Billa Ranga Baashaa '' {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}|| ||<ref name="auto1"/>
|-
| {{TBA}}
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" |''Ashwattama'' {{dagger|alt=Films that have not yet been released}}|| ||
|-
|}

===Short films===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! {{tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| 2005 || ''Life Meets Life'' || rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2015/Dec/21/rocking-the-box-office-with-his-first-shot-858779.html|title=Rocking the Box Office With his First Shot|first=Akram|last=Mohammed|date=19 December 2015|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/saying-it-aloud/articleshow/21909836.cms|title=Saying it aloud|work=[[Bangalore Mirror]]|date=7 March 2010|access-date=5 February 2026}}</ref>
|-
| {{N/a}} || ''Nemesis''
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Words (film)|Words]]''
|}

== Discography ==
===As composer and playback singer===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Songs
!Score!! Notes !! {{tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
| {{N/A}} || ''Kurigalu Sir Kurigalu'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || TV serial; composer of title song || <ref name="auto2"/>
|-
| 2015
| ''[[RangiTaranga]]'' || {{yes}}
|{{no}}|| Playback singer for "Akka Pakka" ||
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Rajaratha]]'' || {{yes}}
| {{no}} || Playback singer for "Gandaka", "Banana" and "Mundhe Banni"
|
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Aadi Lakshmi Puraana]]'' || {{yes}}
| {{yes}} || Playback singer for "Mutthaala"||
|-
|}

==Awards==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Movie !!Award !!Category !!Result !! {{tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
|rowspan=12|''[[RangiTaranga]]''
| [[2015 Karnataka State Film Awards]]
| [[Karnataka State Film Award for Director's First Time Best Film|Best Debut Film Of Newcomer Director]]
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Karnataka-State-Film-Awards-2015-Full-List/articleshow/52311976.cms|title=Karnataka State Film Awards, 2015: Full List|last=May 17, 2016|website=Bangalore Mirror|language=en|access-date=2020-02-17|archive-date=18 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518094804/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/entertainment/south-masala/Karnataka-State-Film-Awards-2015-Full-List/articleshow/52311976.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=4|[[1st IIFA Utsavam]]
|Best Picture
|{{won}}
|rowspan=4|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/srimanthudu-rangitaranga-win-laurels-at-iifa-utsavam/|title='Srimanthudu', 'Rangitaranga' win laurels at IIFA Utsavam|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=27 January 2016|archive-date=21 June 2017|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621140743/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/srimanthudu-rangitaranga-win-laurels-at-iifa-utsavam/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Best Direction
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Music Direction
|{{won}}
|-
|Best Lyrics (for "Kareyole")
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[63rd Filmfare Awards South]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada|Best Director]]
|{{won}}
|rowspan=2|<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Winners-63rd-Filmfare-South-Awards/articleshow/52816168.cms|title=Winners: 63rd Filmfare South Awards|newspaper=The Times of India|date=19 June 2016|archive-date=23 June 2016|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623012921/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Winners-63rd-Filmfare-South-Awards/articleshow/52816168.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Kannada|Best Music Director]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=4|[[5th South Indian International Movie Awards]]
|[[SIIMA Award for Best Film|Best Film- Kannada]]
|{{nom}}
|rowspan=4|<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://siima.in/2016/winners.html|title=5th SIIMA WINNERS LIST|access-date=24 June 2020|archive-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714054004/http://siima.in/2016/winners.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scooptimes.com/awards/siima-awards-2016-winners/4203|title=5th SIIMA Awards 2016 Winners List, Nominees, Voting Details|publisher=Scoop times|date=30 June 2016|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=8 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808055459/https://www.scooptimes.com/awards/siima-awards-2016-winners/4203|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[South Indian International Movie Awards|Best Debut Director]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[South Indian International Movie Awards|Best Music Director]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|Best Lyricist for "Ee Sanje"
|{{won}}
|-
| IBNLive Movie Awards
| Best Director South
| {{won}}
|<ref>IBNLive Movie Awards
* {{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/ibnlive-movie-awards-anup-bhandari-wins-best-southern-director-for-rangi-taranga-1213964.html|title=IBNLive Movie Awards: Anup Bhandari wins Best Southern director for 'Rangi Taranga'|access-date=9 March 2016|archive-date=12 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612111813/http://www.news18.com/news/movies/ibnlive-movie-awards-anup-bhandari-wins-best-southern-director-for-rangi-taranga-1213964.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Filmfare Award for Best Director - Kannada}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhandari, Anup}}
[[Category:Kannada film directors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:IIFA Utsavam winners]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]

Anup Bhandari - Revision history

Diazonium at 04:42, 26 February 2026