M. Night Shyamalan Biography: Children, Parents, Siblings, Age, Net Worth, Wife, Movies, Awards, Books

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M. Night Shyamalan is a celebrated filmmaker known for his psychological thrillers that explore supernatural themes with unexpected twists.

He gained global recognition with his 1999 blockbuster The Sixth Sense, which earned six Academy Award nominations and became one of the most successful movies of its genre.

Over the years, Shyamalan has directed several critically acclaimed films, such as Unbreakable and Split, cementing his reputation as a master storyteller in modern cinema.

Profile

• Full name: Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan
•   Date of birth: August 6, 1970
•   Age: 54 years old
•   Gender: Male
•   Place of birth: Pondicherry (now Puducherry), India
•   Nationality: Indian-American
•   Profession: Film director, screenwriter, producer, actor
•   Height: 1.78 meters (5’10”)
•   Parents: Nelliate C. Shyamalan (father), Jayalakshmi Shyamalan (mother)
•   Siblings: N/A
•   Spouse: Bhavna Vaswani
•   Children: Saleka Shyamalan, Shivani Shyamalan, Ishana Shyamalan
•   Relationship status: Married
•   Religion: Hinduism
•   Ethnicity: Indian
•   Net worth: $80 million

Early Life and Education

Manoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan, now 54, was born on August 6, 1970, in Pondicherry, India. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to the United States, settling in the affluent Penn Valley suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

His father, a neurologist, and his mother, an obstetrician-gynecologist, initially encouraged him to pursue a medical career. However, Shyamalan’s inclination toward filmmaking became evident early, spurred by the gift of a Super 8 camera.

He attended Waldron Mercy Academy, a Roman Catholic grammar school, and later the Episcopal Academy, where he faced cultural challenges but excelled academically.

Shyamalan was awarded a Merit Scholarship to New York University, where he graduated in 1992 from the Tisch School of the Arts. During his university years, 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 share three daughters: Saleka, a musician; Shivani; and Ishana, who has ventured into filmmaking.

The family resides in Pennsylvania, balancing public attention with a private life rooted in close family bonds. Details of extramarital affairs or significant controversies in his relationships have not surfaced, reflecting a largely scandal-free domestic life.

Career

Shyamalan’s filmmaking journey began with his 1992 independent drama Praying with Anger, followed by Wide Awake in 1998. His breakthrough came in 1999 with The Sixth Sense, which grossed over $670 million worldwide and secured Academy Award nominations. Subsequent films like Unbreakable (2000), Signs (2002), and Split (2016) further established his unique cinematic voice.

His career also includes commercial missteps such as The Last Airbender (2010) and After Earth (2013), but Shyamalan rebounded with critical successes like The Visit (2015) and Glass (2019). He has directed episodes for the TV series Wayward Pines and launched the production company Blinding Edge Pictures.

Awards

•   Academy Award nominations for The Sixth Sense (1999): Best Director, Best Original Screenplay
•   BAFTA Award nominations for The Sixth Sense
•   Multiple wins and nominations at the Saturn Awards and National Board of Review Awards
•   Razzie Awards for The Last Airbender

Net Worth

M. Night Shyamalan’s net worth is estimated at $80 million. His wealth stems primarily from his directorial projects, production ventures, and the royalties from his critically and commercially successful films.

Social Media

•   Instagram: @mnight
•   Twitter: @MNightShyamalan

Filmography

•   The Sixth Sense (1999)
•   Unbreakable (2000)
•   Signs (2002)
•   The Village (2004)
•   The Happening (2008)
•   The Last Airbender (2010)
•   Split (2016)
•   Glass (2019)
•   Old (2021)
•   Knock at the Cabin (2023)
•   Trap (2024)

Books

•   I Got Schooled: The Unlikely Story of How a Moonlighting Movie Maker Learned the Five Keys to Closing America’s Education Gap (2013)

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