Shankar Melkote is a Telugu comedian, supporting actor and CEO of a marketing company in Hyderabad. He started his film career with Jandhyala's Srivariki Premalekha and went on to appear in 180 films. He is one of the speakers and writers at the Hyderabad Literary Festival. Melkote received the 17th Yudhvir Memorial Award in 2008 for outstanding contribution.