Nagesh Kukunoor was born on March 30, 1967, in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. He grew up in a Telugu-speaking family and developed an early interest in cinema, influenced by the diverse films he watched during his childhood. Kukunoor pursued a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Osmania University and later moved to the United States, where he earned a master's degree in environmental engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He initially worked as an environmental consultant before transitioning to filmmaking. Nagesh is known for his contributions to parallel cinema in India, with notable films like "Hyderabad Blues," "Rockford," "Iqbal," and "Dor." He has received several awards, including two National Film Awards and seven International Awards. Kukunoor is married to his long-time partner, and they have children together.