For someone who wanted to be an actor initially, the heights he has achieved as a director today is something unmatched. Director Shankar is a name synonymous with grandeur, rich visuals and socially relevant message, and has been a pioneer, in terms of the massive scale and the unique fantasy elements he has presented in his films.

Starting with a vigilante action hero in Gentleman (1993), he then presented the story of a college student who could go any extent for his love, challenging the most powerful person in the state, and thwarting a destruction plan, in Kadhalan, which was a blockbuster as well. The two successes with Arjun and Prabhudeva as leads, took him to the next level, as none other than Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan teamed up with him for Indian, another movie that turned a blockbuster with its social message against corruption. Shankar presented a typical commercial love story in Jeans next, which emerged successful with its engaging story telling and rich production scale.

Then came another important movie in Shankar's career - with the unique theme of "One day Chief Minister" in Mudhalvan. While winning critics and audience alike, the movie faced the wrath of politicians, but despite the piracy troubles and Rajnikanth and Vijay not featuring in the project, Mudhalvan emerged a massive success, reasserting Shankar's skills as a maker. Shankar then made something that was out of his usual zone in Boys, which though was panned by critics, appealed to youth. After a brief lull, he immediately bounced back, infusing multiple personality disorder concept in a vigilante hero's tale in Anniyan, which was a stunning comeback. And then started his collaboration with Superstar Rajnikanth, something that he was missing till then, and the maker delivered blockbusters like Sivaji, Endhiran and last year delivered 2.0.

With every movie, the director has been constantly redefining himself and strives hard to excel and set a benchmark for other makers to look up to. Shankar has been one maker who constantly churns out entertainers that have a socially relevant message, while also making the best use of technological advancements to deliver a visually stunning product. While he had initially wanted to make a soulful, realistic slice of life movie named Azhagiya Kuyile, destiny had it that he was to transform into one of the biggest makers of the country, with an expertise in making grand, big budget flicks with finesse. With the maker teaming up with Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan for the second time in Indian 2, after 23 years, naturally the expectations are high on the maker and in all probabilities, Shankar is all set to redefine socially responsible commercial entertainers yet again with Indian 2.

Wishing the maker par excellence, the wizard of grandeur, director Shankar a very Happy Birthday, and the wait to witness the magnum opus Indian 2 begins!