S. U. Arun Kumar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 26 February 1987 [1] Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Film director Screenwriter |
| Years active | 2014–present |
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).
Kumar 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]
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 2024 | Veera Dheera Sooran |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Pannaiyarum Padminiyum | |
| 2012 | 5 Rupees | |
| 2012 | Nadodi Mannan |
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Pannaiyarum Padminiyum is a 2014 Indian Tamil-language comedy drama film directed by debutant S. U. Arun Kumar, based on his own eponymous short-film. Arun Kumar was a contestant in Naalaya Iyakunar. It features Vijay Sethupathi, Jayaprakash, and Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead roles, with Thulasi, Bala Saravanan, Neelima Rani, and Mahadevan in supporting roles. Sneha and Attakathi Dinesh appear in brief guest roles. Music for the film was composed by debutant Justin Prabhakaran and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad while the cinematography is by Gokul Binoy.
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Vikram Vedha is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Pushkar–Gayathri and produced by YNOT Studios. The film stars R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in the titular anti-hero roles, alongside Shraddha Srinath, Kathir, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Prem, Achyuth Kumar, Hareesh Peradi and Vivek Prasanna. It is Inspired by the Indian folktale Baital Pachisi, which is known internationally as Vikram-Vetala. The film follows Vikram, a police inspector, who sets out to track down and kill Vedha, a gangster. After Vedha voluntarily surrenders himself, he tells Vikram three stories which change his perceptions of good and evil.
'96 is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by C. Prem Kumar in his directorial debut. Produced by S. Nanthagopal of Madras Enterprises, the film was distributed by Lalit Kumar under his banner, Seven Screen Studio. Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha Krishnan are in the prominent roles as Ram and Jaanu, while newcomers Gouri G. Kishan and Aadithya Bhaskar played the younger versions. The film also stars an ensemble cast including Bagavathi Perumal, Devadarshini, Aadukalam Murugadoss, and others. The film revolves around the reunion of former students from the batch of 1996, twenty-two years after their graduation. The reunion also serves as an opportunity for two former lovers, Ram and Jaanu, to resolve issues surrounding their separation.
Sindhubaadh is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by S. U. Arun Kumar and produced by S. N. Rajarajan and Shan Sutharsan Vansan Movies and K Productions. The film stars Vijay Sethupathi and Anjali the lead roles, while Linga, Vivek Prasanna and Surya Vijay Sethupathi appear in supporting roles. The music was composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, while the cinematography was handled by Vijay Kartik Kannan and editing by Ruben.
Vikram is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and produced by Raaj Kamal Films International. The film stars Kamal Haasan in the titular role, alongside Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Narain, Kalidas Jayaram, Gayathrie, Chemban Vinod Jose, Santhana Bharathi and Elango Kumaravel. It is the second instalment in the Lokesh Cinematic Universe and is a spiritual successor to the 1986 film of the same name. The film follows Vikram, a former commander of the black-ops squad's pilot batch, and his efforts to take down Sandhanam, the runner of a drug syndicate Vetti Vagaiyara.
Mersal is the soundtrack of the 2017 Tamil action film of the same name directed by Atlee, which stars Vijay in a triple role with Nithya Menen, Kajal Aggarwal and Samantha as the female leads. The film, which marked the 100th production of Thenandal Studio Limited, has a soundtrack album features four tracks composed by A. R. Rahman, in his first collaboration with Atlee and his third collaboration with Vijay after composing for Udhaya (2004) and Azhagiya Tamizh Magan (2007), whilst Vivek penned the lyrics for all the songs in the film's soundtrack, also in his first association with Rahman.
Annabelle Sethupathi is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language horror comedy film directed by Deepak Sundarrajan and produced by Sudhan Sundaram and G Jayaram under the banner of Passion Studios. The film stars Vijay Sethupathi in a dual role as identical twin brothers alongside Taapsee Pannu, Jagapathi Babu and Yogi Babu. The film was released worldwide on Disney+ Hotstar on 17 September 2021 to unfavorable reviews from critics.
Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by S. U. Arun Kumar. It is produced by Riya Shibu under HR Pictures. The film stars Vikram in the titular role, alongside Dushara Vijayan, S. J. Suryah, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Siddique. The sequel to Veera Dheera Sooran, its predecessor has yet to begin production.