S. U. Arun Kumar

Last updated

S. U. Arun Kumar
S U Arun Kumar cropped.jpg
Born (1987-02-26) 26 February 1987 (age 38) [1]
Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation Film director Screenwriter
Years active2014–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), and Chithha (2023).

Contents

Personal life

Arun Kumar married costume designer Deepika in November 2016. The wedding took place in his hometown, Paravai. In addition to their long-standing professional friendship, Arun Kumar shares a personal bond with Vijay Sethupathi and his family, but it seems they have separated. Kumar's second marriage was held in Madurai on 2 February 2025. [3]

Career

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. [4]

Kumar made his feature film directorial debut with Pannaiyarum Padminiyum (2014) starring Vijay Sethupathi. [5] The film was originally a short film and later made into a feature film, retaining the main characters but with a completely different storyline. [6] Though it won critical acclaim and was screened at many international film festivals, [7] 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. [8] [9] It released to positive reviews and ended up being a commercial success. [1] Arun Kumar joined hands with Vijay Sethupathi for the third time for Sindhubaadh (2019). [10] The actor was cast in the film after eleven 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 in late 2023 and received critical acclaim. [15] [16]

His next project was Veera Dheera Sooran starring Vikram, which was released in early 2025. [17]

Filmography

Key
†Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Feature films

YearFilmNotesRef
2014 Pannaiyarum Padminiyum Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Third prize)
Bengaluru International Film Festival (Special Jury Award)		 [18] [19]
2016 Sethupathi [20]
2019 Sindhubaadh [21]
2023 Chithha Filmfare Award for Best Director - Tamil [22]
2025 Veera Dheera Sooran: Part – 2 [23]

Short films

YearTitle
2012Pannaiyarum Padminiyum
20125 Rupees
2012Nadodi Mannan

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The SU Arun Kumar Interview". Silverscreen India. 27 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  2. ↑ "Director Arun Kumar gets married". Behindwoods. 9 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "'Veera Dheeran Sooran' director Arun Kumar ties the knot: Chiyaan Vikram, Siddharth, Vijay Sethupathi, SJ Suryah, and others grace the event..." The Times of India. 2 February 2025. Archived from the original on 2 February 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "Future stock". The Hindu. 5 September 2013. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  5. ↑ "Pannaiyarum Padminiyum release date confirmed". Moviecrow. 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "'Pannaiyarum Padminium' isn't a magical movie says Director Arun Kumar". Behindwoods. 5 February 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Habitat Film Club". Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "An exclusive interview with Sethupathi director S. U. Arun Kumar". IFlicks. 17 February 2016. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "Vijay Sethupathi's next: All you need to know about his film helmed by SU Arun Kumar". India Today. 21 March 2018. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  10. ↑ "Vijay Sethupathi Anjali's film begins shooting with a pooja". Moviecrow. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "'Sindhubaadh' director Arun Kumar's journey with Vijay Sethupathi". The New Indian Express. 26 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "I treat success and failure just the same: Vijay Sethupathi". Indian Express. 2 July 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "Chain snatch documentary". Chennai patrika. 18 October 2020. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  15. ↑ "Siddharth's Chithha gets release date and new poster". The Indian Express. 20 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  16. ↑ "Siddharth's "Chithha" with Arun Kumar explores the Chithappa relationship". Times of India. 17 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  17. ↑ "Veera Dheera Sooran Part 2: Vikram and SU Arun Kumar grab attention with intriguing teaser". The Indian Express. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  18. ↑ "Tamil Nadu State Film Awards presented for 2009-2014".
  19. ↑ "Award winners at the 7th BIFFES 2014".
  20. ↑ "Sethupathi review: A film for Vijay, and he has to win".
  21. ↑ "'Sindhubaadh' review: Vijay Sethupathi and son try to steer a sinking ship".
  22. ↑ "69th SOBHA Filmfare Awards South 2024: Chithha Wins Best Tamil Film, SU Arun Kumar Named Best Director".
  23. ↑ "Veera Dheera Sooran teaser: Vikram's seemingly compassionate family man has a darker side". The Indian Express. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
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