Auto Shankar wins MTV IWM DIGITAL AWARDS ‘Best Regional Web Series’

While there has been an array of web series released over OTT platforms, “Auto Shankar” produced by R. Ravindran of Trident Arts in association with Manoj Paramahamsa has etched an impeccable recognition for its top-notch standard of making and presentation. With the web series stealing everyone’s attention and winning appreciations, it has now won a honour of MTV IWM DIGITAL AWARDS ‘BEST REGIONAL WEB SERIES’.

Manoj Paramahamsa said, “Basically, this is the first ever web series of proper format and standard in Tamil industry. I am happy that my maiden production along with Ravindran sir of Trident Arts has received such honours. We shot the entire web series in a span of 35 days across the locales of Chennai. We were keen on retaining the ground reality not compromising with the linguistic authenticity and nativity during the era between 1985 and 1990 which gained us positive appreciations from many leading film icons including critically acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran. It’s delighting to see our ‘Auto Shankar’ step ahead for the next level recognition by winning ‘Best Web Series in Regional Language’ at MTV IWM Digital Awards, which was held yesterday in Mumbai. This awards ceremony is held every year for honoring web series in Hindi and Regional categories.” 

Streamed on Zee 5 OTT platform, Auto Shankar is directed by Ranga and is produced by R. Ravindran of Trident Arts in association with Manoj Paramahamsa in association. Malayalam actor Sarath played the lead role of Auto Shankar with Arjun Chidambaram, Swayam Siddha, Arjun Chidambaram, Rajesh Dev and Praveen Koreografia in important roles. Arrol Corelli has composed music and Manoj Paramahamsa has handled cinematography.

Auto Shankar wins MTV IWM DIGITAL AWARDS ‘Best Regional Web Series’

While there has been an array of web series released over OTT platforms, “Auto Shankar” produced by R. Ravindran of Trident Arts in association with Manoj Paramahamsa has etched an impeccable recognition for its top-notch standard of making and presentation. With the web series stealing everyone’s attention and winning appreciations, it has now won a honour of MTV IWM DIGITAL AWARDS ‘BEST REGIONAL WEB SERIES’.

Manoj Paramahamsa said, “Basically, this is the first ever web series of proper format and standard in Tamil industry. I am happy that my maiden production along with Ravindran sir of Trident Arts has received such honours. We shot the entire web series in a span of 35 days across the locales of Chennai. We were keen on retaining the ground reality not compromising with the linguistic authenticity and nativity during the era between 1985 and 1990 which gained us positive appreciations from many leading film icons including critically acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran. It’s delighting to see our ‘Auto Shankar’ step ahead for the next level recognition by winning ‘Best Web Series in Regional Language’ at MTV IWM Digital Awards, which was held yesterday in Mumbai. This awards ceremony is held every year for honoring web series in Hindi and Regional categories.”

Streamed on Zee 5 OTT platform, Auto Shankar is directed by Ranga and is produced by R. Ravindran of Trident Arts in association with Manoj Paramahamsa in association. Malayalam actor Sarath played the lead role of Auto Shankar with Arjun Chidambaram, Swayam Siddha, Arjun Chidambaram, Rajesh Dev and Praveen Koreografia in important roles. Arrol Corelli has composed music and Manoj Paramahamsa has handled cinematography.

Auto Shankar Stills - Set 2

Auto Shankar Stills With Cast and Crew Details

1: What is the background / the show concept?

Auto Shankar was a renowned Don who terrorized the Metropolitan city of Chennai from (1985 – 1995). Well known for his brothel networks established all over the city, Auto Shankar was not just a pimp but a ruthless murderer. The general saying of “Return back home before Dawn” from mothers to daughters in early 90s was widely popular as Shankar was accused of kidnapping young girls and selling them to brothels across the country. But the crime that made Auto Shankar’s name resonate across the country was the murder of Sampath, Mohan and Govindaraj where he murdered and hid the bodies on the walls of his house which eventually led to his hanging on 1995. Still debated on the judgment of his hanging, Auto Shankar was just another pawn who was used and thrown off by the people in power to carry on their dirty works during their reign.  

2: What is the feel of the show? dark/comedy/reality etc.

The show is not a biopic but an adaptation of the life of Auto Shankar with dramatization of certain events for an effective screenplay.

3: Is there an international show that is similar? 

Narcos

4: Who are we talking to? (TG and insights on the TG that may be useful)

We are talking to the age group between 18 – 50 years.  The 90s generation has heard a lot about Auto Shankar during their early school days with their parents talking about him every day. The fact of Auto Shankar being made as a web series would give them an instant curiosity as what would the series,   ‘AUTO SHANKAR’-  the name that their parents used to terrorize them as kids, would have within.

5: Why will they (TG) watch the show? 

The main reason for people to watch this show is that they are already familiar with the character AUTO SHANKAR where youtubers and news channels keep constantly reminding them off but none knows the complete story. The USP of this show is that, though a lot of news channels and youtube bloggers talk about his life, they never had the chance to view his life as a whole along with the people around him, having an in-depth perspective of his journey. 

6: What is that one thing that we need to communicate?

The tag line ‘Once upon a time in MADRAS’ should reach the consumers as Chennaites today know that Thriuvanmayur and besantnagarare one of the best places to enjoy your evening or hangout with your date but these were the exact same places where AUTO SHANKAR thrived during his era. This is a story of madras which Chennaites never forget. Hence the tagline ‘Once upon a time in Madras’ will take them down the memory lane which they always feared to look back

7: What does the communication need to capture - any stars? the mood? 

1.      Auto Shankar, though a notorious killer also had another side to him when it came to his friends and family.

2.      Auto Shankar was a guy who was highly influenced by movies and even the idea of burying bodies on the walls of his house was inspired from the film ‘(Nooravadhunaal)’

3.      Auto Shankar was not a lone man who terrorized the city. He was a just another sharpened knife created to by the police department to do the dirty jobs for the people in power