Place of Birth: Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh, India
Nationality: Indian
Ethnicity: Telugu
Family Background: Sukumar was born into a modest family in Andhra Pradesh. Not much is publicly known about his family, but he has mentioned in interviews that his early experiences in rural India have had a significant influence on his storytelling style.
Education and Early Career:
Sukumar pursued a degree in Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in the electronics field from the Koneru Lakshmaiah College of Engineering in Andhra Pradesh.
He developed an interest in films early on and started to pursue filmmaking seriously after completing his education. He joined the film industry and worked as an assistant director under various prominent directors, where he learned the nuances of filmmaking.
filmography
Year
Film Title
Role(s)
Notes
2004
Arya
Director, Writer
Directorial debut; received Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu.
2007
Jagadam
Director, Writer
A crime drama exploring themes of violence and its consequences.
2009
Arya 2
Director, Writer
Spiritual successor to Arya; continued exploration of complex character dynamics.
2010
Kutty
Writer
Tamil remake of Arya; contributed the original story.
2011
100% Love
Director, Writer
Romantic comedy; earned Nandi Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film.
2014
1: Nenokkadine
Director, Writer
Psychological thriller; noted for its intricate screenplay and unique narrative style.
2014
I Am That Change
Director, Writer
Short film emphasizing social responsibility.
2015
Kumari 21F
Writer, Producer
Coming-of-age romantic drama; marked his debut as a producer.
2016
Nannaku Prematho
Director, Writer
Action thriller; praised for its stylish execution and complex character portrayals.
2017
Darsakudu
Producer
Drama focusing on the life of an aspiring filmmaker.
2018
Rangasthalam
Director, Writer
Period action drama; became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films at the time.
2019
Nani’s Gang Leader
Cameo Appearance
Appeared as himself in this action comedy.
2019
Gaddalakonda Ganesh
Cameo Appearance
Brief appearance as himself in this action thriller.
2020
100% Kadhal
Story
Tamil remake of 100% Love; contributed the original story.
2021
Pushpa: The Rise
Director, Writer
Action drama; became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2021.
2021
Uppena
Producer
Romantic drama; successful debut for lead actors.
2022
Aadavallu Meeku Johaarlu
Narrator
Provided narration for this family drama.
2022
18 Pages
Writer, Producer
Romantic drama; collaborated with GA2 Pictures.
2023
Virupaksha
Producer, Screenplay
Supernatural thriller; associated with Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra.
2024
Pushpa 2: The Rule
Director, Writer
Sequel to Pushpa: The Rise; released on December 5, 2024, and achieved significant success.
2025
Pushpa 3: The Rampage
Director, Writer
Upcoming third installment in the Pushpa series; currently in development with a projected release in 2028.
Awards and Recognition:
Sukumar’s work has earned him numerous accolades and recognition, including:
Nandi Awards (Best Director for Rangasthalam).
Filmfare Awards South nominations.
Santosham Film Awards.
SIIMA Awards (South Indian International Movie Awards).
