Yeshoda Prakash
| Yeshoda Prakash | |
|---|---|
| File:Yeshoda Prakash - National Awards - Sep 2025 - PIB Website (Cropped).jpgYeshoda_Prakash_-_National_Awards_-_Sep_2025_-_PIB_Website_(Cropped).jpg Yeshoda Prakash receiving National Film Award from the President of India | |
| Born | Yeshoda Aiyappa Mandeyanda[1] Shirangalli, Kodagu, Karnataka, |
| 💼 Occupation |
|
| 📆 Years active | 2017–present |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Prakash Kariappa (m. 2004) |
| 👶 Children | 2 |
| 🏅 Awards | National Film Awards (1) Karnataka State Film Award (1) |
Yeshoda Prakash Kottukathira is an Indian film producer and film director who works in Kodava and Kannada cinema. Her directorial Kannada feature film Kandeelu – The Ray of Hope (2023) won the Best Kannada Feature Film[2] at the 71st National Film Awards (2025). Yeshoda Prakash is the first female film director[3] from Kodagu district to receive a National Award and 3rd female film director Karnataka[4] to receive the same. Yeshoda received the National Award from the President of India at the 71st National Awards Ceremony[5] held in New Delhi on 23rd September 2025.
Early life and education
Yeshoda Prakash was born in 1979 at Shirangalli village, Kodagu, Karnataka, to Mandeyanda Aiyappa and Radha Aiyappa[6] (Thamane: Kolathanda).
She completed B.Com degree from Cauvery College, Gonikoppa (Kodagu) followed by an M.Com degree from University of Mysuru.
Film career
Yeshoda Prakash began her film journey in 2017 when she ventured into production under her family banner Swasthik Entertainment.[7] Her work as a producer includes several acclaimed films in both Kodava and Kannada, many of which were showcased at prestigious international film festivals (details found under Filmography).
Her Kodava productions include Baake Mane[8] (screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival, 2017), Naada Peda Asha[9] (co-producer; recipient of Karnataka State Film Award as the best regional film), Pommaale Kodag[10] (shortlisted for the Asian NETPAC Award at the Kolkata International Film Festival[10], and featured at the Dasara Film Festival in Karnataka), and Kaangatha Mood[11] (co-producer). In Kannada cinema, she produced Smashana Mouna[12] (screened at the Bangalore International Film Festival) and Deeksha, a children's film with a social message.
Building on her experience as a producer, she made her directorial debut in 2022 with the Kannada film Rangapravesha,[13][14][15][16] featuring Suman Nagarkar in the lead role.
Yeshoda followed this with Kandeelu – The Ray of Hope (2023), which portrayed rituals and practices in rural Karnataka and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Kannada Film and the Second Best Kannada Film[17] award at the Bangalore International Film Festival. Her next film, Koumudi,[18][19][20] continues her focus on socially conscious storytelling, highlighting blind beliefs and superstitions in rural Karnataka and their consequences.
Personal life
Yeshoda is married to Prakash Kariappa Kottukathira, a filmmaker, writer, and former Indian Army veteran. Together, they run the production banners Swasthik Entertainment[7] and Coorg Coffeewood Movies.[21] The couple has 2 daughters[6] - Thejal Kariappa and Thanam Kariappa.
Bibliography
| No. | Title | Language | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mukha Mukhi[22] | Kannada | Kodava Makkada Koota[23] | 2019 |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Genre | Language | Role | Banner | Award | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Ashraya Dama | Children Film | Kannada | Producer | Coorg Coffeewood Movies | GOK Best Children Movie | Won | [24] |
| 2019 | Kodagra Sipayi | Kodava Film | Kodava | Producer | Coorg Coffeewood Movies | KIFF, BIFF | Nominated | [25] |
| 2021 | Nada Peda Asha | Kodava Film | Kodava | Co-producer | VK3 Pictures/ Swasthik Entertainment | Karnataka State Award for Best Regional Movie & Best Director | Won | [26] [27] |
| 2022 | Pommaale Kodag | Kodava Film | Kodava | Producer | Swashtik Entertainment | KIFF | Nominated | [10] |
| 2022 | Rangapravesha | Kannada Film | Kannada | Director | Emerald Creations | [28][14][29][16] | ||
| 2023 | Kandeelu - The Ray of Hope | Feature Film | Kannada | Director/Producer | Swashtik Entertainment | National Film Award, BIFF, KIFF, Dasara Festival | Won | [30] |
| 2024 | Kangatha Mood | Kodava Film | Kodava | Producer | Coorg Coffeewood Movies | BIFF | Nominated | [11] |
| 2024 | Koumudi | Feature Film | Kannada | Director/Producer | Swashtik Entertainment | Jagaran India Film Festival | Nominated | [18][31][32] |
References
- ↑ "Yeshoda Prakash Kottukathira, Maiden Name". December 2021.
- ↑ ""71st National Film Awards for the year 2023 announced"". Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Kodava Woman Wins National Film Award for "Kandeelu", Coffeeland News". 9 August 2025.
- ↑ "MP Yaduveer Wodeyar Felicitates National Award-Winning Filmmaker Yashoda Prakash, Coffeeland News". 9 August 2025.
- ↑ "71st National Film Awards Ceremony". Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Yeshoda Prakash Family". December 2021.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "BIFFES". 15th.biffes.org. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ ""Culture on Film: Kodava cinema playing a major role in chronicling history, culture and life of Kodagu"". 24 September 2023.
- ↑ "Movie Details of 31st Kolkata International Film Festival". kiff.in. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Movie Details of 31st Kolkata International Film Festival". kiff.in. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "BIFFes". biffes.org. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ "BIFFes kicks off with tribute to Ambareesh". Deccan Herald. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ ""Ranga Pravesha – ರಂಗಪ್ರವೇಶ (2022/೨೦೨೨)"". 19 January 2024.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "'ರಂಗಪ್ರವೇಶ' ಚಿತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ನಾಯಕಿಯಾದ 'ಬೆಳದಿಂಗಳ ಬಾಲೆ' ಸುಮನ್ ನಗರ್ಕರ್". Vijay Karnataka. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ ""ಕೊಟ್ಟುಕತ್ತೀರ ಯಶೋಧ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮನ್ ನಗರ್ಕರ್ 'ರಂಗಪ್ರವೇಶ' , Vijaya Karnataka"". 24 February 2022.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "A new direction". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ "BIFFES". 15th.biffes.org. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 ವಾರ್ತೆ, ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ. "Kaumudi Movie | 'ಕೌಮುದಿ'ಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಕ್ಷತಾ ಪಾಂಡವಪುರ". Prajavani. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ ""Shooting of Kannada film Kaumudi has started, Vijayavani"". 17 May 2024.
- ↑ ""Kaumudi by Kandeelu team - Akshata Pandavapura lead role, Public TV"". 20 May 2024.
- ↑ ""Coorg Coffeewood Movies, Star of Mysore"". 26 October 2019.
- ↑ "Mukha Mukhi - book released, Coffeeland News". 24 January 2025.
- ↑ "Kodava Makkada Koota". Deccan Herald. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Kannada Movie - Ashraya Dhama (ಆಶ್ರಯ ಧಾಮ)". YouTube. 11 April 2021.
- ↑ "'Kodagra Sipayi' movie to hit screens on Sept 24". Deccan Herald. Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Karnataka State Awards Full Winners List, News18, 4-Oct-2025".
- ↑ "Kodava Film wins Best Regional Film Award in Karnataka, Times of India, 4 Oct 2025". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Ranga Pravesha – ರಂಗಪ್ರವೇಶ (2022/೨೦೨೨)". 19 January 2024.
- ↑ "ಕೊಟ್ಟುಕತ್ತೀರ ಯಶೋಧ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನದಲ್ಲಿ ಸುಮನ್ ನಗರ್ಕರ್ 'ರಂಗಪ್ರವೇಶ' , Vijaya Karnataka". 24 February 2022.
- ↑ "71st National Film Awards for the year 2023 announced". Retrieved Sep 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Shooting of Kannada film Kaumudi has started, Vijayavani". 17 May 2024.
- ↑ "Kaumudi by Kandeelu team - Akshata Pandavapura lead role, Public TV". 20 May 2024.
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