In an interview with a Kannada weekly magazine, Neel said he took to filmmaking initially for the need of money, following which he completed a course in the same, eventually developing interest in it. After having completed the course, he decided to cast his brother-in-law and actor
Sriimurali in
Aa Hudugi Neene, a screenplay that he had written during the time. After the latter expressed his concerns due to his inexperience, Neel changed his mind and began observing Srimurali's mannerisms over a period of time, and came up with the project
Ugramm, an action film. The film turned out to be a massive commercial success and emerged as one of the
highest-grossing Kannada films of 2014. Reports emerged in late 2014 and early 2015 of Neel having been signed to direct three films. The first is a sequel to
Ugramm, entitled
Ugramm Veeram, which would feature Srimurali reprise his role from
Ugramm, but due to unknown circumstances it was shelved. His next film
KGF: Chapter 1 which stands for
Kolar Gold Fields has
Yash playing the role of Rocky, an orphan who becomes a don. The sequel
KGF: Chapter 2, was scheduled for a release in July 2021, but was delayed due to the second wave of the
COVID pandemic in India and was subsequently released in April 2022. In December 2020,
Hombale Films announced the film
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire starring
Prabhas. The film's shoot began in January 2021 and was released in December 2023. The film's sequel
Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryanga Parvam has commenced shooting in October 2024. In May 2021,
Mythri Movie Makers and
N. T. R. Arts have announced a film in collaboration with Neel and
N. T. Rama Rao Jr. The film was officially began in August 202
4, with title reported as
Dragon. ==Filmography==