[2][3] He made his directorial debut with Shock (2006), produced by Ram Gopal Varma.

[5] Ramayya Vasthavayya (2013) grossed a worldwide share of ₹309 million (US$3.6 million)[citation needed] and DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017) grossed ₹150 crore,[6] both of which were directed by him.

Harish Shankar was born in Dharmapuri, Telangana into a Telugu Brahmin family and was brought up in BHEL Township, Hyderabad.

[3][4][8] Shankar started stage acting with Seeta Nilayam and Lalitha kala Mandiram, based in Telangana.

[citation needed] He was associated with Kona Venkat, Puri Jagannadh, Ram Gopal Varma, and has worked as an associate director for films such as Ninne Istapaddanu and Veede.