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Kavitha Lankesh: The Lankesh Daughter Who Chose the Camera Over the Tabloid

Born into Bangalore's most famous newspaper family, she made Deveeri and more than fifty documentaries instead.

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  • Kavitha Lankesh is a Kannada film director born in Bangalore on 13 December 1974, daughter of writer P. Lankesh.
  • Her debut feature Deveeri (1999), starring Nandita Das, won the Karnataka State Award for best film.
  • She has also made Tananam Tananam (2006), Summer Holidays (2018) and more than fifty documentaries.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam September 24, 2026 • 2 min read • Updated October 17, 2026
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A film set on an old tree-lined street at dusk with a camera on dolly tracks, a director's chair, a monitor, clapperboard and studio lights

Kavitha Lankesh was born in Bangalore in 1974.

“Kavitha Lankesh, daughter of the illustrious writer cum journalist, in her maiden directorial venture has proved herself to be a chip of the old block.”

• Sify review of Deveeri

Kavitha Lankesh is a Kannada film director, screenwriter and lyricist born in Bangalore on 13 December 1974. She is the daughter of the writer and editor P. Lankesh, founder of Lankesh Patrike. She holds a master's in English literature from Bangalore University, began with documentaries, and directed her first feature, Deveeri, in 1999.

Her sister Gauri ran the paper and her brother Indrajit publishes it. Kavitha took a different road, and it led to national and international awards. Here is the documented record.

Quick Information

In a family that ran Karnataka's most feared tabloid, she decided a camera could say just as much.

Born
13 December 1974, Bangalore
Parents
P. Lankesh and Indira
Siblings
Gauri Lankesh; Indrajit Lankesh
Education
MA English, Bangalore University; diploma in advertising
First feature
Deveeri (1999), starring Nandita Das
Deveeri honours
Karnataka State Award for best film
Other films
Tananam Tananam (2006); Summer Holidays (2018)
Documentaries
More than fifty

Who Is Kavitha Lankesh?

Kavitha Lankesh is a Bangalore filmmaker known for Kannada features and documentaries. She owned an advertising business before moving into film, and has made more than fifty documentaries and information films along with over forty corporate films.

What Is Deveeri?

Deveeri is her 1999 debut feature, adapted from her father P. Lankesh's novel Akka, with Nandita Das in the lead. It won the 1999 to 2000 Karnataka State Award for best film and was shown at international festivals.

What Other Films Has Kavitha Lankesh Made?

She directed Tananam Tananam in 2006, with Ramya and Rakshita together for the first time, and the children's film Summer Holidays in 2018, shot in English and Kannada.

  • Deveeri 1999
  • Preethi Prema Pranaya Feature
  • Tananam Tananam 2006
  • Summer Holidays 2018

How Is Kavitha Lankesh Connected to Lankesh Patrike?

Her father P. Lankesh founded Lankesh Patrike, the first Kannada tabloid. After his death in 2000, the paper split between her sister Gauri and her brother Indrajit.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

Her mother Indira runs a sari shop in Bangalore.

Why Does Kavitha Lankesh Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

She was born and educated in Bangalore and has built her film career from the city.

FAQs

Who is Kavitha Lankesh?

A Kannada film director and screenwriter from Bangalore.

Who is Kavitha Lankesh's father?

The writer, editor and filmmaker P. Lankesh.

What was Kavitha Lankesh's first film?

Deveeri (1999).

Is Kavitha Lankesh related to Gauri Lankesh?

Yes. Gauri Lankesh was her elder sister.

Seen Deveeri?

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Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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