M. Night Shyamalan is a renowned filmmaker known for his psychological thrillers that explore supernatural themes with unexpected twists and turns.
He gained global recognition with the 1999 blockbuster The Sixth Sense, which was nominated for six Academy Awards and became one of the most successful films of its genre.
Over the years, Shyamalan has directed a number of critically acclaimed films such as Unbreakable and Split, cementing his reputation as a master of modern cinematic storytelling.
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- Full name: Manoj Neliatu Shyamalan
- Date of birth: August 6, 1970
- Age: 54 years old
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Pondicherry, India (now Pondicherry)
- Nationality: Indian-American
- Occupation: Film director, screenwriter, producer, actor
- Height: 1.78 meters (5’10”)
- Parents: Nelliate C. Shyamalan (father), Jayalakshmi Shyamalan (mother)
- Siblings: Not applicable
- Spouse: Bhavna Vaswani
- Children: Saraika Shyamalan, Shivani Shyamalan, Ishana Shyamalan
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Hinduism
- Ethnicity: Indian
- Net worth: $80 million
early life and education
Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan, 54 years old, was born on August 6, 1970 in Pondicherry, India. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania Valley, a wealthy suburb of Philadelphia.
His father, a neurologist, and his mother, an obstetrician-gynecologist, initially encouraged him to pursue a career in medicine. However, Shyamalan’s interest in filmmaking emerged early, spurred by Super 8 cameras.
He attended Waldron Mercy Academy, a Roman Catholic grammar school, and later Episcopal Academy, where he faced cultural challenges but excelled academically.
Shyamalan graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1992, receiving a Merit Scholarship from New York University. While in college, he adopted the name “Night” as part of his professional identity.
personal life
Shyamalan has been married to psychologist Bhavna Vaswani since 1993. The couple met at New York University and have three daughters: Saleka, a musician; Bhavna Vaswani, a musician; Vaani; and Ishana, who is involved in film production.
The family lives in Pennsylvania, balancing public attention with a private life rooted in close family ties. Details of his extramarital affairs or major controversies in relationships have yet to surface, reflecting his largely scandal-free home life.
Profession
Shyamalan’s filmmaking journey began with the 1992 independent film “A Prayer of Anger,” followed by 1998’s “The Awakening.” His breakthrough came in 1999 with The Sixth Sense, which grossed over $670 million worldwide and was nominated for an Academy Award. Subsequent films Unbreakable (2000), Signs (2002) and Split (2016) further established his unique cinematic voice.
His career also included commercial missteps like The Last Airbender (2010) and Back to Earth (2013), but Shyamalan has made a name for himself with films like The Visit (2015) and Glass (2019) Bounce back with great success. He directed episodes of the TV series Wayward Pines and founded the production company Blinding Edge Pictures.
Awards
- The Sixth Sense (1999) Academy Award nominations: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay
- ‘The Sixth Sense’ nominated for BAFTA awards
- Winner and nominated for multiple Saturn Awards and National Board of Review Awards
- “The Last Airbender” Golden Raspberry Award
net worth
M. Night Shyamalan’s net worth is estimated at $80 million. His wealth comes primarily from his directing projects, production ventures, and royalties from his critically and commercially successful films.
social media
- Instagram: @mnight
- Twitter: @MNightShyamalan
film chronology
- The Sixth Sense(1999)
- Unbreakable(2000)
- Signs(2002)
- Village(2004)
- What Happened (2008)
- The Last Airbender(2010)
- Split (2016)
- Glass(2019)
- Old(2021)
- Knock on the Cabin(2023)
- Trap(2024)
books
- I Got Schooled: The Incredible Story of How a Part-Time Filmmaker Learned Five Keys to Closing America’s Education Gap (2013)
