S. U. Arun Kumar is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in the Tamil film industry. He is from Paravai near Madurai, Tamil Nadu.[2] He is known for directing the films Pannaiyarum Padminiyum (2014), Sethupathi (2016), Sindhubaadh (2019), and Chithha (2023).
S. U. Arun Kumar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 26 February 1987[1] Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Film director Screenwriter |
| Years active | 2014–present |
Career
editKumar became interested in filmmaking and made a few short films. He joined the second season of Nalaya Iyakunar (a TV competition for short films) to build his portfolio.[3]
Kumar made his feature film directorial debut with Pannaiyarum Padminiyum (2014) starring Vijay Sethupathi.[4] The film was originally a short film and later made into a feature film, retaining the main characters but with a completely different storyline.[5] Though it won critical acclaim and was screened at many international film festivals,[6] it was not successful at the box office.[1]
Kumar later collaborated with Vijay Sethupathi again for Sethupathi (2016) as they both wanted to give a commercial hit together.[7][8] It released to positive reviews and ended up being a commercial success.[1] The film was remade in Telugu as Jayadev with newcomer Ganta Ravi.[9] Arun Kumar joined hands with Vijay Sethupathi for the third time for Sindhubaadh (2019).[10] The actor was cast in the film after 11 other actors could not work in the film due to various reasons.[11] Kumar cast Vijay Sethupathi's son, Surya, in Sindhubaadh although Sethupathi was insistent to cast someone else.[12] Most of the film's footage was shot in Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand.[13]
Kumar made a documentary called Imaikka Vizhigal in 2020 about the chain snatching epidemic in Tenkasi.[14] In addition to being its writer and director, he was also the Cinematographer.
Kumar then directed Chithha (2023) starring Siddharth in the lead. It released on September 28, 2023 and received critical acclaim.[15][16]
His next project is Veera Dheera Sooran Part 2 starring Vikram.[17]
Filmography
edit| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Feature films
edit| Year | Film | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Pannaiyarum Padminiyum | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Third prize Special jury award at 7th Bengaluru International Film Festival |
|
| 2016 | Sethupathi | ||
| 2019 | Sindhubaadh | ||
| 2023 | Chithha | Filmfare Award for Best Director - Tamil | |
| 2025 | Veera Dheera Sooran | [18] |
Short films
edit| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Pannaiyarum Padminiyum |
| 2012 | 5 Rupees |
| 2012 | Nadodi Mannan |
References
edit- ^ a b c "The SU Arun Kumar Interview". Silverscreen India. 27 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Director Arun Kumar gets married". Behindwoods. 9 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Future stock". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Pannaiyarum Padminiyum release date confirmed". Moviecrow. 3 Jan 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "'Pannaiyarum Padminium' isn't a magical movie says Director Arun Kumar". Behindwoods. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Habitat Film Club". Archived from the original on 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "An exclusive interview with Sethupathi director S. U. Arun Kumar". IFlicks. 17 Feb 2016. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Vijay Sethupathi's next: All you need to know about his film helmed by SU Arun Kumar". India Today. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "'Sethupathi' to be remade in Telugu". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Vijay Sethupathi Anjali's film begins shooting with a pooja". Moviecrow. 6 Jun 2018. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "'Sindhubaadh' director Arun Kumar's journey with Vijay Sethupathi". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "I treat success and failure just the same: Vijay Sethupathi". Indian Express. July 2, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ "Wrote the character keeping Vijay Sethupathi's son in mind: 'Sindhubaadh' director Arun". The News minute. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Chain snatch documentary". Chennai patrika. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
- ^ "Siddharth's Chithha gets release date and new poster". The Indian Express. 20 Aug 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ "Siddharth's "Chithha" with Arun Kumar explores the Chithappa relationship". Times of India. 17 Apr 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "Veera Dheera Sooran Part 2: Vikram and SU Arun Kumar grab attention with intriguing teaser". The Indian Express. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Veera Dheera Sooran teaser: Vikram's seemingly compassionate family man has a darker side". The Indian Express. 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-17.