Personal details
- Birth Date: 1987-02-26
- Birth Location: Palani, Tamil Nadu, India
- Professions: Writer, Director
S. U. Arun Kumar, straight outta Madurai, isn’t your typical “born to direct” story. Dude actually started off messing around with circuits and wires—electronics, not scripts. He did his diploma at Thanapandiyan Polytechnic, then hustled to Chennai, probably dreaming of a cushy tech job. Instead, he’s juggling classes at Madras Institute of Technology and clocking in at a telecom company, which sounds exhausting, honestly. But somewhere in that tech grind, he starts catching the film bug. Maybe it was boredom, maybe it was fate—who knows? Next thing you know, this guy’s out there making short films. Not just on weekends, either. He takes a shot at “Naalaya Iyakunar,” that reality show for aspiring directors. Finishes as the runner-up in season two—not bad for a guy who just swapped circuit boards for scripts. That little taste of the spotlight? It pushes him further; he’s not stopping at short films. So, Arun Kumar jumps in and directs “Pannaiyarum Padminiyum.” And man, it pays off. The film racks up six Tamil Nadu state awards—six! Plus, it gets shown at a bunch of international film festivals. Not bad for a first feature, right? From tinkering with gadgets to making films that actually matter—now that’s a wild career switch. The guy proves that sometimes, you just gotta follow the spark, even if it leads you somewhere totally unexpected.
S. U. Arun Kumar, a filmmaker hailing from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has a knack for weaving stories that hit close to home. The dude’s films usually dive deep into the lives of everyday folks, the kind you’d probably bump into on a busy street or while waiting for your filter coffee. He’s got this gritty, realistic touch—no sugarcoating, no over-the-top melodrama. Most of his plots revolve around family ties, that push-and-pull between dreams and reality, and the struggles ordinary people face. You’ll notice his characters aren’t superheroes, just flawed, relatable humans trying to make sense of their messy lives. He’s known for getting some raw, powerful performances out of his actors, and the visuals? They’re often soaked in that dusty South Indian vibe—think sun-baked roads and bustling markets. If you’re into movies that feel authentic, with a sprinkle of nostalgia and a punch of emotion, Arun Kumar’s work is worth checking out.
February 26, 1987
Konidela Ram Charan
Palani, Tamil Nadu, India
38 years old