Vishal S. Mahadakar (born 30 November 1978) is a film director in the Indian Film Industry. After having worked on several films at Mahesh & Mukesh Bhatt's production house, Vishesh Films, Vishal was conferred a directorial debut by the Bhatt's in their film Blood Money, which starred Kunal Kemmu and Amrita Puri. After Blood Money, Vishal then wrote and directed 3AM, starring Rannvijay Singh and Anindita Nayar. Early life and education Royal connections to Shivaji Vishal, direct descendant of Murarbaji Deshpande, the legendary General of Shivaji was born and raised at Pali Hill, Mumbai, home to the Top Guns of the Indian Film Industry, it was but only a matter of time, that, films would finally have the better of Vishal and become an integral part of his life. Schooling in Mumbai and England Vishal's father, Capt. Shivaji Mahadkar (an Ex Army Officer and later a businessman) had enrolled him in the renowned Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, Mumbai. However, it was at the behest of Vishal's grandfather, Late Col. Dattatraya Mahadkar who sent Vishal to Oxford, England to study in the elite Dragon School, a top Prep School in Oxford, which saw future global leaders from all spheres of life, pass through its portals. Vishal left Bombay Scottish School, Mahim at the age of 8 and moved to Oxford. Elite schooling in India Having completed the "O levels" at Oxford, he returned to India to study further in Sherwood College, Nainital, where other Bollywood luminaries like Amitabh Bachchan, Kabir Bedi and Dalip Tahil were groomed. Since, Vishal had spent his formative years away from home, overseas, Vishal's father sent him for a year to Shahu Vidyalaya in the precincts of the Kolhapur Palace, to learn and study the rich heritage that he belonged to, under the personal tutelage and the watchful eyes of Shahu, the current heir to the throne of Shivaji. It was at the Kolhapur Palace that Vishal was introduced to the true Indian culture, arts and craft and literally lived through history. Higher studies in Mumbai and Australia Vishal went on to study further in institutions like Mithibai College, Mumbai and Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia where he studied Business Administration. Film career From IT entrepreneur to movies On return to India in 1999, Vishal, under the guidance of his father, initiated his own Information technology business. He founded 'Mahadkar Infotech' and started a Multi Media