Karuna Kumar

Karuna Kumar
Born
Andhra Pradesh, India
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
Years active2020–present

Karuna Kumar is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works primarily in Telugu cinema.[1] He is best known for directing the 2020 film Palasa 1978.

Career

Karuna Kumar's debut film Palasa 1978 was released in March 2020 opening to positive reviews from the critics. The film revolves around the incidents related to caste discrimination and untouchability.[2] It was featured in year-end best films' charts including Film Companion and The Times of India.[3] His next directorial Metro Kathalu was released on streaming service Aha. Made as an anthology, The Times of India criticized Kumar's work and felt that the film "doesn’t have a fresh theme".[4] He then directed Sridevi Soda Center featuring Sudheer Babu and Anandhi in lead roles. Writing for The Hindu, Sangeetha Devi Dundoo in her review, wrote that "With Sridevi Soda Center, Karuna Kumar takes a mainstream approach given the presence of actor Sudheer Babu and tries to keep the narrative gritty while discussing issues of honour".[5] Others critics opined that the film could do much better in terms of screenplay.[6][7]

Before the release of Sridevi Soda Center, in July 2021, The Hans India reported that Kumar has eight upcoming films.[8] In November 2021, he walked out of the Telugu remake of the Malayalam film, Nayattu, over creative differences.[9]

Filmography

List of films
Year Film Director Screenplay Story Actor Notes
2020 Palasa 1978 Yes Yes Yes No
Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya No No No Yes Role: Karuna
Metro Kathalu Yes Yes Yes No
2021 Sridevi Soda Center Yes Yes No No
2022 Kalapuram Yes Yes No No
2024 Matka Yes Yes Yes No

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations received
Year Award Category Film Result Ref.
2021 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Debut Director – Telugu Palasa 1978 Won [10]
2021 Santosham Film Awards Best Debut Director Won [11]

References

  1. ^ Bureau, ABP News (27 August 2021). "Sridevi Soda Center Maker Karuna Kumar Will Only Cast Telugu Actors In His Films, Here Is Why". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ "From Palasa 1978 to Orey Bujjiga, here're 5 highly anticipated Telugu movies set to release in March". The Times of India. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  3. ^ "Best Telugu Movies of 2020 | Top Rated Telugu Films of 2020 | Top 30 Best Telugu Movies of 2020 | Etimes". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  4. ^ Metro Kathalu Review: An incomplete anthology that doesn't offer what it promises, retrieved 5 January 2022
  5. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (27 August 2021). "'Sridevi Soda Center' movie review: Succumbing to mainstream masala". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  6. ^ Pathi, Thadhagath (27 August 2021). "Sridevi Soda Center Movie Review: A powerful story with a gut-wrenching ending". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Sridevi Soda Center Movie Review: Predictable screenplay kills the game". Cinema Express. 27 August 2021.
  8. ^ Vyas (20 July 2021). "Karuna Kumar has 8 projects in his pipeline!". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Karuna Kumar quits Nayattu Telugu remake?". Cinema Express. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  10. ^ "Manju Warrier, Suriya, others win at SIIMA Awards: Full list of winners". The News Minute. 21 September 2021.
  11. ^ Naresh. "Suman TV - South Indian Film Awards: సంతోషం - సుమన్ టివి సౌత్ ఇండియన్ ఫిలిం అవార్డ్స్ ప్రమోషన్స్ కి సూపర్ రెస్పాన్స్ - Suman TV". Archived from the original on 14 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.