As an actor

Shankar's first film was with superstar Jayan starred Sharapanjaram in 1979.Then Shankar as the lead actor of Oru Thalai Ragam, through audition. Oru Thalai Ragam not only completed 365 days run in theatres^[4][5] but also became a cult romantic film of Tamil film history. Then Navodaya Studio signed Shankar for their romantic film Manjil Virinja Pookkal along with newcomers Mohanlal and Poornima Jayaram, directed by Fazil. The success of Manjil Virinja Pookal ^[6] and films like Kadathu opposite Roja Ramani, Oothikachiya Ponnu with Poornima Jayaram and Ente Mohangal Poovaninju cemented Shankar as the romantic hero of Malayalam films.^[7] Simultaneously his Tamil films Sujatha, Koyil Puraa, Mouna Yuddham and Raagam Thedum Pallavi also done okay business.^[8]

Success continued in Malayalam with Shanker getting chance in movies of hit directors like P.G. Viswambharan , Joshiy and I.V. Sasi with movies like Padayottam, Anuragakodathy, Veendum Chalikkunna Chakram, Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu and Engane Nee Marakkum, so he decided to concentrate on Malayalam films. His other successful films of 1983 are Mortuary, Hello Madras Girl and Himam.^[7] In 1984, Shankar appeared in Ente Kalithozhan, Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla, Muthodumuthu, Poochakkoru Mookkuthi and Itha Innu Muthal.^[7] Next year he was a part of the films Archana Aaradhana, Ambada Njaane!, Aram + Aram = Kinnaram and Vannu Kandu Keezhadakki.

In mid 80's Shankar began losing his market for doing repetitive roles, so he became a producer to save his career^[8] with Sibi Malayil's Chekkaeran Oru Chilla, but the film flopped. His other major films of that year were Naale Njangalude Vivahum, Oppam Oppathinoppam and Sughamo Devi along with Mohanlal. Shankar had fewer Malayalam releases in the late '80s and his attempt to become director with Suresh Gopi starrer Rakshakan also did not materialize, so he decided to take a break^[8] from films to concentrate on business, although he did guest roles in the films Manathe Kottaram, Gandharvam and Guru.

Shankar staged a comeback as lead hero in the films Sooryavanam (1998), Bhadra, Sundarippravu and The Fire. He also acted in Stalin Sivadas with Mammootty, but all these films failed at the box-office.^[9] So he moved to television with a successful serial Ithu Manju Pole and continued to perform in serials Swara Raagam and Parasparam. He also won the 2006 Film Critics Television Best Actor Award for his performance in TV serial Chithrashalabham. His last serial Ammakkayi (aired in Surya TV) was a success. As he wanted to concentrate in films, he stopped doing serials and made his debut as a director with Virus,^[8] a film on HIV/AIDS, which was censored in 2007.

Later Shankar appeared in films like Ividam Swargamanu, Casanovva alongside Mohanlal, Rhythm, Koottukar, Banking Hours 10 to 4, Hide N' Seek, Father's Day, Oomakkuyil Padumbol and Bhoomiyude Avakashikal. In 2013, he was appreciated for his good performance in a comic role in Anoop Menon scripted film Hotel California. His other releases were Miss Lekha Tharoor Kaanunnathu and Cleopatra, Naku Penda Naku Taka and in 2015, Shankar played the lead role in Vishwasam... Athallae Ellaam along with Shine Tom Chacko directed by Jayaraj Vijay, but the film flopped. In 2018 he starred in Niranjana Pookkal as hero. He also starred in Bhramam along with Prithviraj Sukumaran in 2021.

As a director

Shankar directed a video film Kaatti in 2006 based on child labour which won him the best director award from Malayalam Television viewers DRISHYA awards for video film. He made his feature film debut with Virus,^[8] an Indo-American co-production urging society not to shun HIV/AIDS affected people.^[9] His first commercial Malayalam directorial venture Keralotsavam 2009^[10] starred Kalabhavan Mani and Vinu Mohan dealt with how three youngsters falling prey to terrorist links.^[9] In 2015, he directed Sand City, a Tamil film^[7] based at U.A.E. to good review.^[11][12][13]