Nikoloz Shengelaia was born on August 8, 1903 in Obuji (a village in Tsalenjikha region). He graduated from faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Tbilisi State University. In 1922, he started career in literature. In 1923–1924, he worked in the Soviet merchant fleet. From 1924, he worked in the soviet film stuidio first, as an assistant to a director, later as a filmmaker. He was Honorary Artist of RSSR (1935) and a recipient of Stalin Prize (1941).  Nikoloz Shengelaia died on January 4, 1943.