Sukumar

Biography

Bandreddi Sukumar (born 23 January 1970) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who works in Telugu cinema.

He is known for his complex and multi-layered screenplays, and for infusing grey shades in the characterization of his protagonists. He is one of the highest-paid directors in South Indian cinema.

Sukumar worked as a mathematics and physics lecturer at a junior college in Kakinada for nearly seven years before pursuing a career in films as a director. He began working as a writer and worked with Editor Mohan before assisting V. V. Vinayak on Dil (2003).

He made his directorial debut with Arya in 2004, whose success catapulted him to stardom. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu and Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer for his work on Arya.

Sukumar's other notable films include Arya 2 (2009), 100% Love (2011), 1: Nenokkadine (2014), Nannaku Prematho (2016), Rangasthalam (2018) and Pushpa: The Rise (2021). Rangasthalam was the third highest-grossing Telugu film at the time behind the Baahubali films.

Pushpa: The Rise is the highest-grossing Indian film of 2021 and ranks among the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time.

Sukumar also produced films like Kumari 21F (2015), Uppena (2021), and Virupaksha (2023) under the banner Sukumar Writings. In 2014, he received the K. V. Reddy Memorial Award for his contributions to Telugu cinema.

Sukumar and Toleti began their career as writers in Telugu cinema and worked as writers for a few films. After writing three scenes for Jayanth C. Paranjee's Bavagaru Bagunnara? (1998), they were summoned by the college to help them in recruiting students.

They walked out of the film on moral grounds. Due to a lack of earnings, Sukumar briefly continued to teach students, earned money, and returned back to the film industry. He worked as an assistant director for Manasichi Choodu (1998).

Sukumar later assisted Editor Mohan for Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi (2000) and Hanuman Junction (2001). Before making his directorial debut, Sukumar worked under V. V. Vinayak for Dil (2003) as an assistant director