A. Karunakaran | |
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 | |
| Born | Devakottai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation(s) | Director, writer, screenwriter. |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Children | 2 |
A. Karunakaran (born 25 December 1971) is a Telugu film director known for Tholi Prema (1998), Happy (2006), Ullasamga Utsahamga (2008) and Darling (2010). [1]
Karunakaran began his career as a clap director for Kadhal Desam (1996) after Sasi introduced him to Kathir. [2] He worked as an assistant to Bhagyaraj and Shankar before making his directorial debut with Tholi Prema (1998). He conceived the script while in Madras and cast Pawan Kalyan after seeing him in a magazine. [1] Tholi Prema was a box office success. [1] His second film Yuvakudu was Bhumika Chawla's first film. [1] The film was unsuccessful. [1] His next film Vasu (2002) was not very successful at the box office, but garnered a cult following over the years. [3] Karunakaran collaborated with Pawan Kalyan for Balu ABCDEFG (2005), but the film was a failure unlike Tholi Prema. [4] [5] The following year, Happy (2006), based on the Tamil film Azhagiya Theeye (2004) released and was a box office success. [6] Karunakaran garnered acclaim for Ullasamga Utsahamga (2008) starring newcomer Yasho Sagar. [7] Darling (2010) released to positive reviews. [8] He then directed a bilingual titled Endhukante Premanta in Telugu and Yen Endral Kadhal Enben in Tamil. [9] The Telugu version released to negative reviews while the Tamil version was never released. [10] Chinnadana Nee Kosam (2014) and Tej I Love You (2018) released to mixed reviews. [11] [12]
| Year | Film | Director | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Tholi Prema | Yes | Yes | Cameo appearance National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu [2] |
| 2000 | Yuvakudu | Yes | Yes | |
| 2002 | Vasu | Yes | Yes | Cameo appearance |
| 2005 | Balu ABCDEFG | Yes | Yes | |
| 2006 | Happy | Yes | Screenplay | |
| 2008 | Ullasamga Utsahamga | Yes | Yes | Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer [13] |
| 2010 | Darling | Yes | Yes | |
| 2012 | Endhukante Premanta | Yes | Yes | Simultaneously shot in Tamil as Yen Endral Kadhal Enben [2] |
| 2014 | Chinnadana Nee Kosam | Yes | Yes | |
| 2018 | Tej I Love You | Yes | Yes |
Konidala Pawan Kalyan is an Indian politician, actor and philanthropist serving as the 10th Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh since June 2024. He is also the Minister of Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water Supply; Environment, Forests, Science and Technology in the Government of Andhra Pradesh and an MLA representing the Pitapuram constituency. He is the founder and president of the Janasena Party.
Trivikram Srinivas is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Telugu cinema. He is one of the highest-paid directors in South Indian cinema. He has garnered six state Nandi Awards for Best Dialogue Writer and two Filmfare Awards for Best Director. In 2015, he received the BN Reddy National Award for his contributions to Indian cinema.
Balu: ABCDEFG is a 2005 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by A. Karunakaran. The film stars Pawan Kalyan, Shriya, Neha Oberoi and Gulshan Grover. The film was produced by C. Aswini Dutt under his production company Vyjayanthi Movies. Its tagline ABCDEFG stands for "A Boy Can Do Everything For Girl." The film released on 6 January 2005 to mixed reviews and was an average grosser at the box office. It was the first Telugu film to have a release in South Africa.
Johnny is a 2003 Indian Telugu-language martial arts film written and directed by Pawan Kalyan. Produced by Allu Aravind, the film starred Pawan Kalyan in the title role, while Renu Desai, Raghuvaran, and Raza Murad played pivotal roles. The film revolves around a martial arts coach who decides to use his skills to earn prize money in competitions required to save his wife suffering from blood cancer.
A. M. Rathnam is an Indian film producer, lyricist, screenwriter, and director known for his works in Telugu and Tamil cinema. Under Sri Surya Movies Entertainment, a movie production house he owns in Hyderabad, he has produced blockbusters in Telugu such as Karthavyam (1990), Peddarikam (1992), Sneham Kosam (1999), and Kushi (2001). He ventured into Tamil cinema in 1996 with the blockbuster Indian, which was India's Official Entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. He then produced films such as Kushi, Run, Boys, Enakku 20 Unakku 18, Dhool, Ghilli, 7G Rainbow Colony, Arrambam, Yennai Arindhaal and Vedalam.
Tholi Prema is a 1998 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by A. Karunakaran. It stars Pawan Kalyan and Keerthi Reddy, with music composed by Deva. The cinematography was done by Y. Maheedhar and Chota K. Naidu.
Kushi is a 2001 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and directed by S. J. Suryah, and produced by A. M. Rathnam. It is a remake of the 2000 blockbuster Tamil film Kushi. The film stars Pawan Kalyan and Bhumika. Mani Sharma provided the score and soundtrack. Pawan Kalyan also choreographed all the action sequences in the film.
Anand Sai is an art director in South Indian cinema. He received a state award by Tamil Nadu for his work in the movie New. Sai was born in Parlakhemundi in Odisha; his father came to Madras in 1950 to be an art director in film industry.
Badri is a 2000 Indian Telugu-language romantic action film directed by Puri Jagannadh in his directorial debut. The film stars Pawan Kalyan, Amisha Patel, Renu Desai and Prakash Raj. This film marks the South Indian debut of Amisha Patel. The film's music was composed by Ramana Gogula, which marks his second collaboration with Pawan Kalyan after Thammudu (1999).
Keerthi Reddy is an Indian former actress who appeared primarily in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi language films. Her notable work includes Tholi Prema (1998), Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) and Arjun (2004). She has received a Filmfare Award for her performance in the film Arjun (2004).
Mukunda is a 2014 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Srikanth Addala. The film was produced by Tagore Madhu and Nallamalapu Srinivas (Bujji) under the banner Leo Productions. It stars debutuant Varun Tej and Pooja Hegde in the lead roles with Prakash Raj, Rao Ramesh, and Nassar in supporting roles. Mickey J Meyer composed the film's soundtrack and background score. Marthand K. Venkatesh edited the film.
Ullasamga Utsahamga is a 2008 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and directed by A. Karunakaran. The film stars Yasho Sagar and Sneha Ullal in their Telugu film debut. With music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, the film was released on 25 July 2008. The movie was declared a blockbuster at the box office. The film was dubbed in Malayalam as Ayyo Pavam. It was remade into Kannada as Ullasa Utsaha (2009).
Endukante Premanta is a 2012 Indian Telugu-language fantasy romantic comedy film written and directed by A. Karunakaran. Produced by Sravanthi Ravi Kishore, the film stars Ram Pothineni and Tamannaah Bhatia. It features music scored by G. V. Prakash Kumar and dialogues by Kona Venkat. The film was released theatrically on 8 June 2012.
Panjaa (transl. Claw) is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by Vishnuvardhan and produced by Arka Media Works and Sanghamitra Art Productions. The film stars Pawan Kalyan, Sarah-Jane Dias, Anjali Lavania, Jackie Shroff, Adivi Sesh, Atul Kulkarni, Sampath Raj, Subbaraju and Tanikella Bharani. The plot centers around Jai, a loyal henchman for a gangster, who is forced to go on the run after a botched mission leads him to kill his boss's son in response to a violent atrocity.
Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde is a 2013 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by debutant Vijay Kumar Konda and written by Harsha Vardhan. Produced by N. Nikitha Reddy under the banner of Shresht Movies, The film stars Nithiin, Nithya Menen, and Isha Talwar. Anup Rubens composed the music while I. Andrew and Prawin Pudi handled the cinematography and editing respectively.
Pawan Kalyan is an Indian actor, martial artist, stunt coordinator, playback singer, choreographer, film director, screenwriter, film producer, narrator, philanthropist and politician works in Telugu cinema. He is currently serving as the 10th deputy chief minister of Andhra Pradesh since June 2024.
Konidela Sai Varun Tej is an Indian actor who works in Telugu films. He made his acting debut in 2014 with Mukunda. He received praise for featuring in Krish's critically acclaimed war film Kanche (2015). He established himself as a leading actor with the romantic drama Fidaa (2017), a major critical and commercial success. He has since starred in films including Tholi Prema (2018), Gaddalakonda Ganesh (2019), F2 (2019) and F3 (2022). He is married to his co-actor Lavanya Tripathi.
Sai Durgha Tej is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Telugu films. Tej started his acting career with the box office success Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham (2014), which earned him the SIIMA Award for Best Male Debut – Telugu.
Tholi Prema is a 2018 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by Venky Atluri in his directorial debut. Produced by B. V. S. N. Prasad's Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra, the film stars Varun Tej and Raashii Khanna. The music is composed by S. Thaman while cinematography and editing are done by George C. Williams and Naveen Nooli respectively.
Venky Atluri is an Indian actor, screenwriter, and film director who works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He is known for directing Tholi Prema (2018).
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