Abhishek Shah

Abhishek Shah (born 29 November 1982) is an Indian filmmaker, writer, director and producer known from his work in Gujarati films and theatre. His movies and plays revolve around significant social issues.

Early life
Abhishek was born on 29 November 1982 in Ahmedabad in a Gujarati family. His late father Jayanti Bhai was a banker and a theatre artist and his mother Kantaben is a homemaker. He did his graduation in Science with Mathematics and post graduation in Journalism from Gujarat University.

In his college days he was involved in several activities related to theatre. He pursued theatre at very early age and emerged as very prominent name in Gujarati theatre with his social concern plays with students.

He married Tejal Panchasara, an actress and professor, in 2007.

Career
He started working as a casting director in Gujarati cinema and with that he has introduced many actors to Gujarati cinema like Malhar Thacker, Yash Soni, Aarjav Trivedi, Mitra Gadhvi, Shraddha Dangar, Kinjal Rajpriya, Jayesh More, Deeksha Joshi, Mayur Chauhan etc. He worked as a casting director in Chhello Divas, Shu thayu?, Karsandas Pay & Use, Union Leader, Pappa Tamney Nahi Samjay, Thai Jashe, Wrong Side Raju, Hellaro, Shubharambh.

In 2019, He made his directorial debut with the Gujarati film Hellaro starring Jayesh More, Shraddha Dangar, Aarjav Trivedi, Niilam Panchal, Tejal Panchasara, Maulik Nayak, Tarjanee Bhadla, Denisha Ghumra and Brinda Trivedi. It was about how women of Runn of Kutch finds their way of expression through dance where women are not allowed to play Garba.

Awards and nominations
Abhishek Shah's Debutant film, Hellaro   won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film at the 66th National Film Awards. It was officially selected as the opening film at Indian Panorama at the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The film was nominated for the 'Best Debut Award' at the Mahatma Gandhi Afro Asian Film Award for the year 2020. He was nominated for the Best Director Award at the Gujarat State Film Awards 2019 and the Best Writer Award at the Critics Choice Film Awards for the year 2019.

Filmography

 * Hellaro (2019)
 * Kamthaan (2024)