S. U. Arun Kumar

S. U. Arun Kumar is an Indian film director and writer 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 (1987-02-26) 26 February 1987[1]
Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
NationalityIndian
Occupations
Years active2014–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 DOP.

Kumar then directed Chithha (2023) starring Siddharth in the lead. It released on September 28, 2023 and received critical acclaim.[15][16]

Filmography
Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Feature films
Year Film Credited as Notes
Writer Director
2014Pannaiyarum PadminiyumGreen tickYGreen tickYTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Third prize
Special jury award at 7th Bengaluru International Film Festival
2016SethupathiGreen tickYGreen tickY
2019SindhubaadhGreen tickYGreen tickY
2023ChithhaGreen tickYGreen tickY

Short films
Year Title Credited as
Director Screenwriter Producer
2012 Pannaiyarum Padminiyum Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
2012 5 Rupees Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY
2012 Nadodi Mannan Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY

References
  1. "The SU Arun Kumar Interview". Silverscreen India. 27 June 2019.
  2. "Director Arun Kumar gets married". Behindwoods. 9 November 2016.
  3. "Future stock". The Hindu.
  4. "Pannaiyarum Padminiyum release date confirmed". Moviecrow. 3 Jan 2014.
  5. "'Pannaiyarum Padminium' isn't a magical movie says Director Arun Kumar". Behindwoods.
  6. "Habitat Film Club".
  7. "An exclusive interview with Sethupathi director S. U. Arun Kumar". IFlicks. 17 Feb 2016.
  8. "Vijay Sethupathi's next: All you need to know about his film helmed by SU Arun Kumar". India Today.
  9. "'Sethupathi' to be remade in Telugu". Deccan Chronicle.
  10. "Vijay Sethupathi Anjali's film begins shooting with a pooja". Moviecrow. 6 Jun 2018.
  11. "'Sindhubaadh' director Arun Kumar's journey with Vijay Sethupathi". The New Indian Express.
  12. "I treat success and failure just the same: Vijay Sethupathi". Indian Express. July 2, 2019.
  13. "Wrote the character keeping Vijay Sethupathi's son in mind: 'Sindhubaadh' director Arun". The News minute. 6 June 2016.
  14. "Chain snatch documentary". Chennai patrika.
  15. "Siddharth's Chithha gets release date and new poster". The Indian Express. 20 Aug 2023.
  16. "Siddharth's "Chithha" with Arun Kumar explores the Chithappa relationship". Times of India. 17 Apr 2023.
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