Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi

Padma Shri Awardee, Actor, Director, Writer and Historian

Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi is a filmmaker and scriptwriter, renowned for directing the 1991 TV epic “Chanakya,” in which he also portrayed the title role. His notable works include the 2003 film “Pinjar,” a tragic love story adapted from Amrita Pritam’s novel of the same name, and the 1996 television series “Mrityunjay,” centered on the life of Karna, for which he received a Best Director award. He is also affiliated with Rishihood University, serving on the board of founders.

Dr. Dwivedi, a qualified medical professional, abandoned his medical career due to his profound interest in Indian history and literature, transitioning to work in the theatre. Between 1990 and 1992, he wrote, directed, and acted in the TV serial “Chanakya,” which gained immense popularity in India for its well-crafted dialogue, command of Hindi, and insights into politics and philosophy. In the late 1990s, he served as the Programming Division Head at Zee TV.

In 2009, the South Asian Cinema Foundation honored Dr. Dwivedi with its Cultural Catalyst Award, recognizing his dedication to exploring India’s ancient culture and history in television and popular cinema.