C. Prem Kumar

Last updated

C. Prem Kumar
Born
Premkumar Chandran

Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Occupation(s) Film director
Screenwriter
Cinematographer
Years active2009–present
SpouseDhanalakshmi

C. Prem Kumar is an Indian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer primarily associated with Tamil cinema. He is widely known for his critically acclaimed debut as a director with the film '96 (2018).

Contents

Career

Before making his mark in the film industry as a director, Prem Kumar was established as a cinematographer, working on several Tamil films including Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012), which was based on an incident in which he fell during a cricket match and lost his memory during his own wedding. [1] His first film as a director was the reunion film '96 , which was well received. [2] [3] [4] The film was noted for having a strong female lead character, which was lacking in most Tamil films. [5] He subsequently directed Jaanu (2020), the Telugu remake of '96 . [6] His third film as a director was Meiyazhagan , which was based on the bromance between its lead characters, also released to positive reviews. [7] [8]

Filmography

As director

YearFilmNotes
2018 '96 Won Gollapudi Srinivas Award [9]
2020 Jaanu Telugu film
2024 Meiyazhagan

As cinematographer

YearFilmNotes
2009 Pasanga
2012 Sundarapandian
Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom
2014 Rummy
2017 Yeidhavan
2020 Oru Pakka Kathai

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Jaanu is a 2020 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by C. Prem Kumar. It is a remake of Kumar's own Tamil film '96 (2018). It is produced by Dil Raju's Sri Venkateswara Creations, and stars Sharwanand and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. The film revolves around the reunion of former students from a 2004 batch fifteen years after their graduation. The reunion also serves as an opportunity for two former lovers, Ram and Jaanu, to resolve issues surrounding their breakup. It was released on 7 February 2020.

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<i>96: Music from the Motion Picture</i> 2018 album by Govind Vasantha

The feature film soundtrack to the 2018 Indian Tamil-language coming-of-age romance film 96 is composed by Govind Vasantha. The film starred Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha in the leading roles, and was directed by cinematographer C. Prem Kumar in his directorial debut. It revolves around two high school sweethearts, Ram and Jaanu, hailing from the batch of 1996 parted ways, and they meet at a reunion after 22 years. Govind was hired as the film's composer, following his relationship with Balaji Tharaneetharan during the production of Oru Pakka Kathai, where Prem Kumar handled the cinematography for the film. The delay over the film's release meant that 96 becoming the composer's third film to be released after Solo (2017) and Asuravadham (2018).

<i>Ek Love Ya</i> 2022 Indian Kannada-language romantic thriller film

Ek Love Ya is a 2022 Indian Kannada-language romantic action film directed by Prem and produced by Rakshita under Rakshita Film Factory. The film stars debutants Raanna and Reeshma Nanaiah, alongside Rachita Ram, Ankita Naik, Shashi Kumar, Suchendra Prasad and Charan Raj. The music was composed by Arjun Janya, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Mahendra Simha and Srinivas P Babu respectively.

<i>Meiyazhagan</i> 2024 Indian film by C. Prem Kumar

Meiyazhagan is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by C. Prem Kumar. It is produced by Jyothika and Suriya under 2D Entertainment. The film stars Karthi and Arvind Swamy in the lead roles alongside Rajkiran, Sri Divya, Devadarshini, Jayaprakash, Sriranjani, Ilavarasu, Karunakaran and Saran Shakthi.

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Election is a 2024 Indian Tamil-language political thriller film directed by Thamizh and produced by Reel Good Films. The film stars Vijay Kumar in the lead role, alongside Preethi Asrani, Richa Joshi, George Maryan, Pavel Navageethan, Dileepan and Rajeev Anand.

References

  1. S, Venkadesan (22 November 2012). "Can't recollect my wedding: C Prem Kumar". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  2. Raman, Sruthi Ganapathy (5 September 2018). "Love without boundaries: Director Prem Kumar on crafting the offbeat romance '96'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  3. Anantharam, Chitradeepa (3 October 2018). "96' will appeal to the '90s generation, says director C Prem Kumar". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 September 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  4. "'There Are Many Like Ram Who Give Women The Respect They Deserve, Sadly They Are Ridiculed For Their Sensitivity': C Prem Kumar, Director Of 96′". 17 October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  5. Rajendran, Sowmya (28 August 2018). "We don't see layers to women characters on screen often: '96' director Prem Kumar to TNM". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  6. "96 director Prem Kumar roped in for Karthi's next, film to commence in a few months". India Today. 16 January 2023. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  7. "With Meiyazhagan, I Wanted To Speak Positively About Love & Affection: Filmmaker C Prem Kumar". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  8. "C Prem Kumar's Meiyazhagan Is A Beauty To Behold". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  9. "Gollapudi award goes to Prem Kumar for 96". Deccan Chronicle. 16 March 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.

C. Prem Kumar at IMDb