C. Prem Kumar

C. Prem Kumar
Born	Premkumar Chandran Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation(s)	Film director Screenwriter Cinematographer
Years active	2009–present
Spouse	Dhanalakshmi

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).

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]} In July 2025, Vels Film International officially announced that Prem Kumar's next movie with Vikram and the film is touted to be action thriller film. ^[9]

Filmography

As director

Year	Film	Notes
2018	'96	Won— Gollapudi Srinivas Award [10]
2020	Jaanu	Telugu film
2024	Meiyazhagan
2026	Chiyaan 64	[11]
TBA	‘96 Part 2	Sequel of 96

As cinematographer

Year	Film	Notes
2009	Pasanga
2011	Varnam
2012	Sundarapandian
	Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom
2014	Rummy
2017	Yeidhavan
2020	Oru Pakka Kathai

Frequent collaborators

List of C. Prem Kumar frequent collaborators

Film	Govind Vasantha	Mahendiran Jayaraju	R. Govindaraj	Devadarshini	Rajkumar
'96 (2018)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Jaanu (2020)	Y	Y
Meiyazhagan (2024)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
96 Part 2	Y

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. "'Chiyaan 64' takes off; Untold story behind Vikram and Prem Kumar's surprise union, film to hit floor in August". The Times of India . 19 July 2025.
10. "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.
11. "Chiyaan 64: Vikram joins hands with Prem Kumar for his next". Cinema Express . 16 July 2025.

External links

C. Prem Kumar at IMDb