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).
S. U. Arun Kumar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 26 February 1987[1] Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation | Film directorScreenwriter |
| Years active | 2014–present |
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.[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]
Filmography
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Feature films
| 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 | |
| TBA | Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 |
Short films
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Pannaiyarum Padminiyum |
| 2012 | 5 Rupees |
| 2012 | Nadodi Mannan |