Puri Jagannath is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer, who works primarily in the Telugu cinema. He is a three-time Nandi Award recipient. In 2006 he directed Pokiri, premiered at the 7th IIFA Film Festival held in Dubai. The path breaking blockbuster was later remade into several Indian Languages, and catapulted Jagannadh to national recognition. He made his Bollywood debut in 2004, with the film Shart: The Challenge.