Anup Bhandari was born on March 2, 1982 (43 Years Old), in Puttur, Karnataka. His success in the industry has not only earned him recognition but also added to his net worth.
He grew up in Mysore and was passionate about music and storytelling from a young age. Before joining the film industry, he worked in a different field, but his love for cinema led him to take a new path.
Today, he is one of the well-known names in Kannada films, creating stories that connect with audiences. His mix of storytelling and music has made him stand out in the industry.
Want to know more about his wiki, personal life, wife, education, and career? Keep reading for the full biography!
Wiki
| Full Name | Anup Bhandari |
|---|---|
| Profession | Film Director, Composer and Lyricist |
| Famous As | Film Director |
| Nick Name | Anup |
| Date of Birth | 2 March 1982 |
| Age | 43 Years Old |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Mangalore, Karnataka |
| Hometown | Mangalore, Karnataka |
| Country | India |
| Mother Tongue | Kannada |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Hobbies | Yet To Update |
| Food Habits | Non-Vegetaria |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in Information Science |
| School Name | Not Known |
| College/University | Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering and Technology |
| Debut | Film: Rangitaranga (2015) |
Family
Anup Bhandari’s parents are Sudhakar Bhandary and Rathna Bhandary. He has a brother, Nirup Bhandari, who is also in the film industry.
| Father Name | Sudhakar Bhandary |
|---|---|
| Mother Name | Rathna Bhandary |
| Brother Name | Nirup Bhandari |
| Sister Name | None |
Physical Appearance
Anup Bhandari is 5 feet 5 inches (165.1 cm) tall and weighs approximately 67 kg (147.7 lbs). He has black eyes and black hair. His body measurements have yet to be updated.
| Height (Approx.) | in centimeters – 165.1 cm in meters – 1.65 m in feet inches – 5’ 5” |
|---|---|
| Weight (Approx.) | in kilograms – 67 Kg in pounds – 147.7 Lbs |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
Relationship Status
Anup Bhandari is married to Neetha Shetty, who has been a part of his personal and professional journey. The couple has a daughter, Nishka Bhandari.
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Neetha Shetty |
| Children | Daughter – Nishka Bhandari |
Anup Bhandari Career
Anup Bhandari started his career by making short films while working at Infosys. His talent in filmmaking gained recognition when he directed WORDS, a short film featuring Hollywood actor Russell Harvard. He later successfully entered Kannada cinema, earning praise for his direction, music, and storytelling.
Early Days and Short Films
Anup Bhandari’s filmmaking journey started while he was working at Infosys. During this time, he created short films and won several awards. Later, while living in the United States, he directed a short film called WORDS, featuring Hollywood actor Russell Harvard, known for There Will Be Blood and Fargo. This project helped him take the next big step in his career.
Breakthrough in Kannada Cinema
His first feature film became a massive success and played a key role in expanding the overseas market for Kannada films. It was the first Kannada movie released in multiple countries and appeared on the New York Box Office listing. It remained in theatres in the USA for 50 days, a record for a Kannada film. The movie was also one of the 305 films shortlisted for the Academy Awards, though it did not reach the final nominations.
More Films and Musical Contributions
After his debut, he directed another film featuring his brother Nirup Bhandari and actors Avantika Shetty and Arya. This film had a unique narrative style, where the story was told from the perspective of a bus, voiced by Puneeth Rajkumar.
Apart from directing, Anup contributed as a music director and lyricist for Aadi Lakshmi Puraana, a Rockline Productions film starring Nirup Bhandari and Radhika Pandit. He also wrote the lyrics for the Kannada version of Dabangg 3.
Success with Vikrant Rona
In 2022, Anup Bhandari directed Vikrant Rona, starring Kichcha Sudeep. The film was praised for its strong performances, technical quality, and high production standards. It was an unrelated prequel to his debut film and became another blockbuster in his career.
Awards
Anup Bhandari has received several awards for his work in Kannada cinema. His talent in directing, music composition, and lyric writing has been recognised by prestigious film awards. Here is a list of his notable achievements:
| Award Name | Year | Category | Result | Film |
| Filmfare Awards South | 2016 | Best Director | Winner | RangiTaranga |
| South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) | 2023 | Best Director | Nominee | Vikrant Rona |
| SIIMA | 2016 | Best Lyricist | Winner | RangiTaranga |
| SIIMA | 2016 | Best Debut Director | Winner | RangiTaranga |
| SIIMA | 2016 | Best Music Director | Nominee | RangiTaranga |
| IBNLive Movie Awards | 2016 | Best Southern Debut | Nominee | RangiTaranga |
| IIFA Utsavam | 2016 | Best Director | Winner | RangiTaranga |
| IIFA Utsavam | 2016 | Best Music Direction | Winner | RangiTaranga |
| IIFA Utsavam | 2016 | Best Lyrics (“Kareyole”) | Winner | RangiTaranga |
Controversies
Like many filmmakers, Anup Bhandari has faced a few controversies during his career. Some incidents involved public remarks, while others were related to film production challenges. Here are a couple of notable controversies:
| Date | Controversy | Description |
| April 2018 | ‘Rajaratha’ Interview Remarks | During a Rajaratha promotional interview, Anup and Nirup Bhandari called those who wouldn’t watch their film “kachada nan maklu” (schmucks) and “kachada loafer nan maklu” (dirty loafers). The remarks sparked outrage and boycott calls, leading them to apologize. |
| February 2025 | ‘Billa Ranga Baasha’ Land Dispute | The production of Billa Ranga Baasha faced a land dispute when a legal complaint alleged encroachment on the planned set location. To resolve the issue, Kichcha Sudeep and Anup Bhandari sought help from Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, who mediated the matter. |
Net Worth & Salary
Anup Bhandari’s net worth is estimated to be around $3-4 million, approximately INR 30 crore in Indian rupees.
| Net Worth in USD (Approx.) | $3-4 Million |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Indian Rupees (Approx.) | ₹30 Cr |
| Salary in Indian Rupees (Approx.) | Yet To Update |
| Car & Bike Collection | Yet To Update |
| Income Source | Filmmaking |
Social Media Handles
| @anupsbhandari | |
| @AnupBhandariS | |
| @anupsbhandari |
Anup Bhandari Songs Lyrics
- Hot'tu Mamma
- Maximum Mass
- Chikki Bombe
- Chikki Bambe
- The Devil's Fury - Gumma Banda Gumma
- The Devil's Fury - Gumma Banda Gumma
- Hey Fakira
- Hey Fakira
- Rajkumari
- Rajkumari
- Ra Ra Rakkamma
- Malebille
- Pataki Poriyo
Interesting Facts About Anup Bhandari
- Before becoming a filmmaker, Anup Bhandari was a software engineer at Infosys.
- Anup Bhandari introduced a unique storytelling style by narrating a film from the perspective of a bus.
- Despite being a director, he is known for his music compositions and lyrics.
- Anup’s work was key in expanding the overseas market for Kannada films.
FAQs
How old is Anup Bhandari?
Anup Bhandari is 43 Years Old.
What is Anup Bhandari’s height?
Anup Bhandari is 5 feet 5 inches (165.1 cm) tall.
What is Anup Bhandari’s Net Worth?
His net worth is around $3-4 million (INR 30 crore).