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{{Other}}{{Short description|Indian film director, film producer and screenwriter}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Bandreddi Sukumar
| image              = Sukku-one.jpg
| caption            = Sukumar promoting ''[[1: Nenokkadine]]'' in 2014
| birth_name         = Bandreddi Sukumar
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1971|1|11 }}<ref name="birthday">{{cite web | url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/happy-birthday-to-creative-director-telugu-news-122945.html | title=Happy Birthday to creative director | website=IndiaGlitz | date=11 January 2015 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123145104/http://www.indiaglitz.com/happy-birthday-to-creative-director-telugu-news-122945.html | archive-date=23 January 2016|quote=...Sukumar, turns 45 today.}}</ref><ref name="birthday2">{{cite AV media | title=Director Sukumar Birthday Special | publisher=[[Dailymotion]] | access-date=19 December 2017 | url=http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5830j8 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831075639/https://dailymotion.com/video/x5830j8 | url-status=dead | archive-date=31 August 2021 | medium=television special | location=India | time-caption=From | language=te | time=00:00:00 to 00:00:30}}</ref>
| birth_place        = [[East Godavari district|Mattaparru]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India
| nationality        = Indian
| occupation         = {{hlist|Film director|Film producer|Screenwriter| Professor}}
| years_active       = 2004–present
| children           = 2
| spouse             = {{marriage|Thabitha|2009}}
}}
'''Bandreddi Sukumar''' is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who works in [[Telugu cinema]]. He is known for his intricate screenplays and for depicting protagonists with grey shades. He is the third highest-grossing Indian film director of all time and is one of the highest-paid directors in Indian cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rathore |first=Manya |date=24 August 2023 |title=Best-paid Indian directors in 2023, by fee* |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/972743/india-best-paid-directors-by-fee/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241206103052/https://www.statista.com/statistics/972743/india-best-paid-directors-by-fee/ |archive-date=2024-12-06 |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=[[Statista]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-23 |title=Meet India's most successful director with ₹4200 crore gross, 0 flops; not Bhansali, Hirani, Karan Johar, Rohit Shetty |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/indias-most-successful-film-director-ss-rajamouli-box-office-4200-cr-bhansali-rajkumar-hirani-karan-johar-rohit-shetty-101740296524306.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250223082915/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/indias-most-successful-film-director-ss-rajamouli-box-office-4200-cr-bhansali-rajkumar-hirani-karan-johar-rohit-shetty-101740296524306.html |archive-date=2025-02-23 |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us}}</ref>

Before entering the film industry, Sukumar worked as a mathematics and physics [[Lecturer#India|lecturer]] at a [[Junior college#India|junior college]] in [[Kakinada]] for nearly seven years. He began his film career as a writer, working with [[Editor Mohan]], and later assisted [[V. V. Vinayak]] on [[Dil (2003 film)|''Dil'']] (2003). He made his directorial debut with [[Arya (2004 film)|''Arya'']] (2004), which was a major success and earned him the [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu]] and the [[Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer]].

Sukumar's other notable films include ''[[Arya 2]]'' (2009), ''[[100% Love (2011 film)|100% Love]]'' (2011), ''[[1: Nenokkadine]]'' (2014), ''[[Nannaku Prematho]]'' (2016), ''[[Rangasthalam]]'' (2018), ''[[Pushpa: The Rise]]'' (2021), and ''[[Pushpa 2: The Rule]]'' (2024). ''Rangasthalam'' became the third highest-grossing Telugu film at the time, behind the ''[[Baahubali (franchise)#Feature films|Baahubali]]'' films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hooli |first=Shekhar H. |date=2018-05-02 |title=Rangasthalam box-office collection: Ram's film crosses $3.5 million in US, Rs 200 crore worldwide |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/rangasthalam-box-office-collection-rams-film-crosses-3-5-million-us-rs-200-crore-worldwide-768271 |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=[[International Business Times|International Business Times India]] |language=en}}</ref> ''Pushpa'' was the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Indian film of 2021]], while ''Pushpa 2'' went on to become one of the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Indian films of all time]].

In addition to his directorial work, Sukumar has produced films under his banner Sukumar Writings, including ''[[Kumari 21F]]'' (2015), ''[[Uppena]]'' (2021), and [[Virupaksha (film)|''Virupaksha'']] (2023). In recognition of his contributions to Telugu cinema, he received the K. V. Reddy Memorial Award in 2014.

== Early life and family ==
Sukumar was born on 11 January 1971,<ref name="birthday"/><ref name="birthday2"/> in a [[Telugu language|Telugu]] <nowiki/>speaking [[Kapu (caste)|Kapu]] family in Mattaparru, a village near [[Malikipuram]] in erstwhile East Godavari district (present-day [[Konaseema district]]) of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref name="Navya">{{cite web | url=http://www.andhrajyothy.com/Artical?SID=203322 | title=అమ్మకు ప్రేమతో.. |trans-title=To mother, with love.. | work=Andhrajyothi | date=4 February 2016 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Bhagyalakshmi | first=Challa | language=te | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216073443/http://www.andhrajyothy.com/Artical?SID=203322 | archive-date=16 February 2016}}</ref> His father Tirupathi Rao Naidu was a rice trader and his mother Veera Veni was a homemaker. Sukumar was the youngest of the six children of Naidu and Veni. At the age of 6, following the slaughter of a rooster he loved, Sukumar practiced [[vegetarianism]] for a long time.<ref name="Navya" />

He did his schooling from [[Zilla Parishad High School]], [[Razole, East Godavari district|Razole]] and graduated with a master's degree in mathematics.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know-/Sukumar-studied-at-a-Zilla-Parishad-school/articleshow/35424079.cms | title=Sukumar studied at a Zilla Parishad school | work=The Times of India | date=20 May 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Pasupulate | first=Karthik | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218164434/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/did-you-know-/Sukumar-studied-at-a-Zilla-Parishad-school/articleshow/35424079.cms | archive-date=18 February 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> He later worked as a [[Mathematics education|mathematics]] and [[physics]] lecturer in Aditya Junior college, [[Kakinada]].<ref name="Sukumar NKP int DC">{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/tollywood/200116/the-sukumar-saga.html | title=The Sukumar saga | work=Deccan Chronicle | date=21 January 2016 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Kavirayani | first=Suresh | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217021806/http://deccanchronicle.com/tollywood/200116/the-sukumar-saga.html | archive-date=17 February 2016}}</ref> After nearly seven years,<ref>{{Citation |title=Director Sukumar Full Interview {{!}} Dilse With Sukumar | date=4 September 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV-B2qJWNe4&t=291s |publisher=[[Sakshi TV]] |language=te |access-date=2022-09-28}}; Event occurs from 4:51 to 5:00</ref><ref name="Sukumar int SSC">{{cite web | url=http://southscope.in/telugu/article/sukumar-reluctant-perfectionist | title=Sukumar&nbsp;– The Reluctant Perfectionist | work=South Scope | date=6 May 2011 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Kumar | first=Hemanth | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615025009/http://www.southscope.in/telugu/article/sukumar-reluctant-perfectionist | archive-date=15 June 2011 | url-status=live }}</ref> Sukumar and his junior Prakash Toleti decided to do something creative as they opined that their life has become too mundane as a lecturer.<ref name="Toleti">{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/dream-debut/article2882680.ece | title=Dream debut | work=The Hindu | date=11 February 2012 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Narasimham | first=M. L. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218164647/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/dream-debut/article2882680.ece | archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref>

== Career ==
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.<ref name="Toleti" /> Due to lack of earnings, Sukumar briefly continued to teach students, earned money, and returned to film industry.<ref name="Sukumar NKP int DC" /> He worked as an assistant director for ''[[Manasichi Choodu (film)|Manasichi Choodu]]'' (1998).<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2019 |title=6 Tollywood directors who also produce films |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/6-tollywood-directors-who-also-produce-films/photostory/70974944.cms |access-date=12 November 2021 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> Sukumar later assisted [[A. Mohan|Editor Mohan]] for ''[[Kshemamga Velli Labhamga Randi]]'' (2000) and ''[[Hanuman Junction (film)|Hanuman Junction]]'' (2001). Before making his directorial debut, Sukumar worked under [[V. V. Vinayak]] for ''[[Dil (2003 film)|Dil]]'' (2003) as an assistant director.<ref name="Sukumar int SSC" />

=== Debut and breakthrough: 2004–2011 ===
Sukumar began working on the script of his directorial debut, ''Arya'' (2004), in [[Visakhapatnam]] before joining the sets of ''[[Dil (2003 film)|Dil]]'' (2003). The producer of the film, [[Dil Raju]], assured him that he would produce the film if ''Dil'' became a commercial success.{{Sfn|Chinnarayana|2015|page=10}} Sukumar chose to narrate the story of a boy who confesses his love to a girl right in the beginning of the story, as opposed to films like ''[[Darr]]'' (1993), ''[[Kabhie Haan Kabhie Naa]]'' (1994), and ''[[Kaadhal Kondein]]'' (2003), where the protagonist's love/obsession for the female lead is revealed towards the end, as he found that idea an "obsolete" one.<ref name="Sukumar int SSC"/> Raju was impressed with Sukumar's script and [[Allu Arjun]] was selected as the protagonist after considering the likes of [[Ravi Teja]], [[Nithin]], and [[Prabhas]]. [[Anuradha Mehta]] and [[Siva Balaji]] were chosen for the other two lead roles.{{Sfn|Chinnarayana|2015|page=11}} [[R. Rathnavelu]] and [[Devi Sri Prasad]] were chosen as the film's director of photography and music director, respectively, who both went on to collaborate with Sukumar in many of his future films. ''Arya'' was a huge commercial and critical success, collecting a distributor's share of {{INR}}16 [[crores]] and a box-office gross of ₹30 crores, on a budget of {{INR}}4 crores.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-05-07 |title=16 Years for Arya: Some of the interesting facts about the Allu Arjun starrer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/16-years-for-aarya-some-of-the-interesting-facts-about-the-allu-arjun-starrer/photostory/75598280.cms |access-date=2024-06-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>{{Sfn|Chinnarayana|2015|page=11}}The success of ''Arya'' catapulted Sukumar into stardom overnight.<ref name="Sukumar int SSC"/> He earned the [[Filmfare Award for Best Director&nbsp;– Telugu]] at the [[52nd Filmfare Awards South]] ceremony,<ref name="Arya Filmfare">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/10/stories/2005071001581100.htm | title="Autograph" bags 3 Filmfare awards | date=10 July 2005 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Kumar | first=S. R. Ashok | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218165954/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/10/stories/2005071001581100.htm | work=[[The Hindu]] | archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> and the [[Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer|Best Screenplay Writer]] award at the annual [[Nandi Awards]] ceremony.<ref name="Arya Nandi">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/10/stories/2005101016620400.htm | title=Rajendra Prasad is over the moon | date=10 October 2005 | access-date=18 February 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218170034/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/10/stories/2005101016620400.htm | work=[[The Hindu]] | archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref>

Sukumar then began working on the script of ''[[Jagadam]]'' (2007), a crime film starring [[Ram Pothineni]] and Isha Sahni. Unlike ''Arya'', ''Jagadam'' focused more on violence and in an interview with [[South Scope]], Sukumar called the film an "act of bravado", adding that he "made it with an innocent passion", without thinking about the audience's response.<ref name="Sukumar int SSC"/> ''Jagadam'' received mixed reviews<ref name="Sukumar int SSC"/>with [[Sify]] calling the film a "not so much a plot-driven one" albeit praising the work of its technical crew,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sify.com/movies/jagadam-review-telugu-pclwmPffgjgga.html | title=Review : Jagadam | website=[[Sify]] | date=16 March 2007 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218170450/http://www.sify.com/movies/jagadam-review-telugu-pclwmPffgjgga.html | archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> whereas [[Rediff.com|Rediff]] called it a "good effort".<ref name="Jagadam">{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/20ssjagadam.htm | title=Jagadam: A good effort | publisher=[[Rediff.com|Rediff]] | date=20 March 2007 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Vardhan | first=G. P. Aditya | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007054408/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/20ssjagadam.htm | archive-date=7 October 2015}}</ref> Following the mixed reviews, ''Jagadam'' was a box office failure, although, over the years, it has gained a major cult following. 

He then wrote and directed ''[[Arya 2]]'' (2009), which was promoted as the namesake sequel to his debut ''Arya''. It featured Allu Arjun, [[Kajal Aggarwal]], and [[Navdeep]] in the lead roles and narrated the story of Arya, a psychotic orphan whose love for his childhood friend, Ajay, and his colleague, Geetha, is never reciprocated.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-telugu-review-arya2/20091127.htm | title=Arya 2 is disappointing | publisher=Rediff | date=27 November 2009 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Rajamani | first=Radhika | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610212230/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/south-telugu-review-arya2/20091127.htm | archive-date=10 June 2015}}</ref> The film received mixed reviews from critics. However, ''Arya 2'' became one of the few successful Telugu films of the year,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/just-a-dozen-films-hit-the-bulls-eye/article126725.ece | title=Just a dozen films hit the bull's eye | work=The Hindu | date=27 December 2009 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Krishnamoorthy | first=Suresh | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314172104/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/just-a-dozen-films-hit-the-bulls-eye/article126725.ece | archive-date=14 March 2015}}</ref> and was praised for its stylistic quotient and music.<ref name="Sukumar int SSC" /> Sukumar received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director&nbsp;– Telugu at the [[57th Filmfare Awards South]] ceremony,<ref name="Arya 2 Filmfare">{{cite web | url=http://awards.filmfare.com/telegu.php | title=57th Filmfare Awards South Nominations&nbsp;— Telugu | work=[[Filmfare]] | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314174545/http://awards.filmfare.com/telegu.php | archive-date=14 March 2011}}</ref> but lost it to [[S. S. Rajamouli]] for ''[[Magadheera]]''.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.sify.com/movies/magadhera-wins-6-filmfare-awards-news-telugu-kkguRAfifbbsi.html | title=Magadhera wins 6 Filmfare awards | website=[[Sify]] | date=9 August 2010 | access-date=18 February 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112052048/http://www.sify.com/movies/magadhera-wins-6-filmfare-awards-news-telugu-kkguRAfifbbsi.html | archive-date=12 November 2014}}</ref> Rajamouli stated that he regards Sukumar as the best of the lot after watching ''Arya 2'', which according to Sukumar "was the most precious and sweetest thing I have heard about myself".<ref name="Sukumar int SSC" />

After a gap of two years, Sukumar's next directorial film ''[[100% Love (2011 film)|100% Love]]'' (2011) was released. Sukumar envisioned the film's concept 15 years ago, which dealt with the simple conflicts couples face and the way they solve them, and made changes based on the technological and behavioural developments of the students in the colleges.<ref name="Sukumar int SSC" /> ''100% Love'' featured [[Naga Chaitanya]] and [[Tamannaah]] in the lead roles and was produced by [[Allu Aravind]] and Bunny Vasu.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Its-100-Love-for-Nag/articleshow/21647970.cms | title=It's 100% Love for Nag | work=Bangalore Mirror | date=22 March 2011 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218171157/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/entertainment/south-masala/Its-100-Love-for-Nag/articleshow/21647970.cms | archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> ''100% Love'' was commercially successful,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-06-04 |title=Year of family entertainers - The Hindu |newspaper=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/year-of-family-entertainers/article2745569.ece |access-date=2024-06-18 |archive-date=4 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604061620/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/year-of-family-entertainers/article2745569.ece |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> collecting a share of ₹18.11 crore<ref>{{Cite web |title=100%Love Total Collections{{!}} AndhraBoxOffice.com |url=http://andhraboxoffice.com/info.aspx?id=169&cid=6&fid=303 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=andhraboxoffice.com}}</ref> and received the [[Nandi Award for Akkineni Award for Best Home-viewing Feature Film|Best Home-viewing Feature Film]] award at the annual Nandi Awards ceremony.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/2011-Nandi-Awards-winners-list/articleshow/16797289.cms | title=2011 Nandi Awards winners list | work=The Times of India | date=13 October 2012 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Kavirayani | first=Suresh | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123184900/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/2011-Nandi-Awards-winners-list/articleshow/16797289.cms | archive-date=23 January 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> Sukumar earned another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director&nbsp;– Telugu at the [[59th Filmfare Awards South]],<ref name="100 Love Filmfare">{{cite episode | title=59th Idea Filmfare Awards South 2012 | date=8 July 2012 | series=Filmfare Awards South | network=[[MAA TV]]}}</ref> and a nomination for the Best Director&nbsp;– Telugu at the [[1st South Indian International Movie Awards]].<ref name="100 Love SIIMA">{{cite web | url=http://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/siima-nominations.html | title=SIIMA nominations for Telugu films | publisher=Idlebrain.com | date=13 June 2012 | access-date=7 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907050619/http://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/siima-nominations.html | archive-date=7 September 2015}}</ref>

=== Darker themes: 2014–present ===
[[File:Sukumar interview FC South 2018.jpg|thumb|Sukumar promoting ''[[Rangasthalam]]'' 2018.]]
After completing ''100% Love'', Sukumar began working on ''[[1: Nenokkadine]]'', a [[psychological thriller]] keeping [[Mahesh Babu]] in mind as the protagonist as he felt that Mahesh had a universal appeal in terms of looks. The incident of a bus driver talking about a young boy who claims that his parents were murdered in that bus was taken as the story's base.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-mahesh-babu-agreed-immediately-to-do-1-nenokkadine-south/20140115.htm | title=Mahesh Babu agreed immediately to do 1-Nenokkadine | publisher=Rediff | date=15 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Rajamani | first=Radhika | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914201027/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-mahesh-babu-agreed-immediately-to-do-1-nenokkadine-south/20140115.htm | archive-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> He worked on the film's script for two months,<ref name="One and only">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/one-and-only/article5409282.ece | title=One and only | work=The Hindu | date=1 December 2013 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Chowdary | first=Y. Sunita | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830152014/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/one-and-only/article5409282.ece | archive-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> and considered it as his dream project.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140110/entertainment-tollywood/article/sukumar-numero-uno | title=Sukumar, Numero Uno | work=Deccan Chronicle | date=10 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115041824/http://deccanchronicle.com/140110/entertainment-tollywood/article/sukumar-numero-uno | archive-date=15 January 2014}}</ref> ''1: Nenokkadine'' was released on 10 January 2014 globally and received mixed reviews from the critics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-21 |title=1: Nenokkadine highest rated Telugu film on IMDB |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/1-nenokkadine-highest-rated-telugu-film-on-imdb/story-TTKYPeJZk2qdIh1wf6gkHN.html |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |quote=1: Nenokkadine may have opened to mixed reviews at the domestic box office, but the film has received a rating of 9.2 on Internet Movie Database (IMDB) website.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Seshagiri |first=Sangeetha |date=11 January 2014 |title='1 Nenokkadine' Review Roundup: Mahesh Babu Starrer Fails to Live up to Expectations |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/0391-nenokkadine039-review-roundup-mahesh-babu-starrer-fails-to-live-up-to-expectations-533883 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713172843/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/0391-nenokkadine039-review-roundup-mahesh-babu-starrer-fails-to-live-up-to-expectations-533883 |archive-date=13 July 2015 |access-date=18 February 2016 |work=International Business Times India}}</ref> While Suresh Kavirayani of ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' opined that Sukumar "fails to deliver" and the story is "run of the mill",<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140110/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/movie-review-mahesh-babus-1-nenokkadine | title=Movie Review: Mahesh Babu's '1-Nenokkadine' | work=Deccan Chronicle | date=12 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Kavirayani | first=Suresh | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150330194949/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140110/entertainment-movie-reviews/article/movie-review-mahesh-babus-1-nenokkadine | archive-date=30 March 2015}}</ref> Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of ''[[The Hindu]]'' stated, "Habitual to watching films that begin with a great premise only to fall into the commercial trap of force-fit comic situations, it comes as a relief when Sukumar laces the psychological thriller with subtle wit that never takes the focus away from the plot".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/1nenokkadine-games-the-mind-can-play/article5562253.ece | title=1-Nenokkadine: Games the mind can play | work=The Hindu | date=10 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Devi Dundoo | first=Sangeetha | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706151139/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/1nenokkadine-games-the-mind-can-play/article5562253.ece | archive-date=6 July 2015}}</ref> Following the mixed reviews, ''1: Nenokkadine'' collected approximately {{INR}}28.9 crore share worldwide on a budget of {{INR}}60{{Endash}}70 crore, thus becoming a commercial failure.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/0391-nenokkadine039-box-office-collection-mahesh-babu-starrer-earns-over-28-crore-worldwide-share-536174 | title='1 Nenokkadine' Box Office Collection: Mahesh Babu Starrer Earns over ₹28 Crore Worldwide Share | work=International Business Times India | date=28 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Seshagiri | first=Sangeetha | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129102440/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/0391-nenokkadine039-box-office-collection-mahesh-babu-starrer-earns-over-28-crore-worldwide-share-536174 | archive-date=29 January 2016}}</ref> Over the years, ''1: Nenokkadine''  became a major cult film.

In 2014, he wrote and directed a 3 minute short film ''[[I Am That Change]]'' produced by and starring Allu Arjun.<ref name="I am that change">{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Allu-Arjuns-short-film-is-a-hit/articleshow/40309064.cms | title=Allu Arjun's short film is a hit | work=The Times of India | date=15 August 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=A. S. | first=Sashidhar | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314165549/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Allu-Arjuns-short-film-is-a-hit/articleshow/40309064.cms | archive-date=14 March 2015}}</ref> Upon its release, the short film received viral response online and was acclaimed by many including celebrities for its concept and execution.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 August 2014 |title=Allu Arjun's short film is a hit |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Allu-Arjuns-short-film-is-a-hit/articleshow/40309064.cms |work=The Times of India |accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref>

Following the demise of his father Tirupathi Naidu, Sukumar decided to direct ''[[Nannaku Prematho]]'' starring [[N. T. Rama Rao Jr.]] and [[Rakul Preet Singh]] in the lead roles. ''Nannaku Prematho'', which was Rama Rao Jr.'s 25th film as an actor, dealt with an emotional relationship between a father and his son spanning the last 30 days of the father's life.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/Tollywood-Tiger-Shining-Bright/2016/01/30/article3249576.ece | title=Tollywood Tiger Shining Bright | work=The New Indian Express | date=30 January 2016 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Yellapantula | first=Suhas | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203024639/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/Tollywood-Tiger-Shining-Bright/2016/01/30/article3249576.ece | archive-date=3 February 2016}}</ref> Released on 13 January 2016, ''Nannaku Prematho'' received positive reviews from the critics.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/nannaku-prematho-review-roundup-jr-ntr-sukumars-combo-bags-decent-ratings-critics-663102 | title=Nannaku Prematho review roundup: Jr NTR-Sukumar's combo bags decent ratings from critics | work=International Business Times India | date=13 January 2016 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=H. Hooli | first=Shekhar | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218174441/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/nannaku-prematho-review-roundup-jr-ntr-sukumars-combo-bags-decent-ratings-critics-663102 | archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> Pranita Jonnalagedda of ''The Times of India'' stated that the viewers see ups every time when Sukumar "decides to listen to his inner self and gives us some interestingly conceived sequences" and downs come whenever he "gives in to the prerequisite mandates of Telugu cinema".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/Nannaku-Prematho/movie-review/50565064.cms | title=Nannaku Prematho Movie Review | work=The Times of India | date=13 January 2016 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Jonnalagedda | first=Pranita | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218174544/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/Nannaku-Prematho/movie-review/50565064.cms | archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> An above average grosser at the domestic box office,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/nannaku-prematho-box-office-collection-jr-ntrs-film-grosses-total-rs-87-2-crore-lifetime-670535 | title='Nannaku Prematho' box office collection: Jr NTR's film grosses total of Rs 87.2 crore in lifetime | work=International Business Times India | date=13 March 2016 | access-date=14 March 2016 | last=H. Hooli | first=Shekhar | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314012742/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/nannaku-prematho-box-office-collection-jr-ntrs-film-grosses-total-rs-87-2-crore-lifetime-670535 | archive-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> ''Nannaku Prematho'' became the third highest grossing Telugu film of all time in the overseas market.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/nannaku-prematho-completes-50-days-jr-ntrs-film-sets-over-5-new-collection-records-box-office-669019 | title='Nannaku Prematho' completes 50 days; Jr NTR's film sets over 5 new collection records at box office | work=International Business Times India | date=2 March 2016 | access-date=14 March 2016 | last=H. Hooli | first=Shekhar | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314013006/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/nannaku-prematho-completes-50-days-jr-ntrs-film-sets-over-5-new-collection-records-box-office-669019 | archive-date=14 March 2016}}</ref> His 2018 period action film with [[Ram Charan]] titled ''[[Rangasthalam]]'' received positive reviews with particular praise for Ram Charan's performance, and Sukumar's direction and screenplay.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/rangasthalam-review-critics-wowed-by-sukumars-script-ram-charan-samanthas-performances-765378|title=Rangasthalam review: Critics wowed by Sukumar's script, Ram Charan & Samantha's performances|work=International Business Times India|last=H. Hooli|first=Shekhar|date=30 March 2018|access-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330143829/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/rangasthalam-review-critics-wowed-by-sukumars-script-ram-charan-samanthas-performances-765378|archive-date=30 March 2018}}</ref> ''Rangasthalam'' ended up as [[List of highest-grossing Telugu films|one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rangasthalam 50-day box office collection: Ram Charan delivers highest grosser of 2018|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/rangasthalam-50-day-box-office-collection-ram-charan-delivers-highest-grosser-2018-769553|last=Hooli|first=Shekhar H.|date=2018-05-18|website=International Business Times, India Edition|language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref>

Post the success of ''[[Rangasthalam]]'', Sukumar started working on the period action drama, ''[[Pushpa: The Rise]]'' (2021), starring [[Allu Arjun]] and [[Rashmika Mandanna|Rashmika]]. Budgeted between {{INR}}170{{Endash}}200 crores, it was released as a pan-Indian film and although it received mixed reviews from critics, the film was well received by the audiences and went on to get amazing commercial reception in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil languages earning a total gross of {{INR}}373 crores by the end of its theatrical run.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Highest grossing South Indian films worldwide - Kantara Ninth, RRR on rise after Japan release |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/highest-grossing-south-indian-films-worldwide-kantara-ninth-rrr-on-rise-after-japan-release-1201153 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en}}</ref> Post the success of ''Pushpa: The Rise'', Sukumar announced that the sequel, ''[[Pushpa 2: The Rule]]'', is in development and production commenced in 2022. The film released on 5th December 2024 and was met with critical acclaim.

== Personal life ==
Sukumar met Thabitha Hamsini at the screening of ''Arya'', in the Sudarshan Theatre, [[RTC X Roads]], in [[Hyderabad]].<ref name="Sukumar int Sakshi">{{cite web |date= |title=Thabitha Bandreddi |trans-title= |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CiKg7ixrOKJ/ |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123071501/https://www.instagram.com/p/CiKg7ixrOKJ/ |archive-date=23 November 2022 |access-date= |language= }}</ref> After a courtship of 4 years, they got married in 2009, in the presence of his parents and sister.<ref name="Sukumar NKP int DC" /> Thabitha's parents initially opposed their relationship due to Sukumar being a film director, however, they later accepted their alliance.<ref name="Sukumar NKP int DC" /> The couple have a daughter and a son, named Sukriti Veni (who made her film debut with ''[[Gandhi Tatha Chettu]]'') and Sukranth, respectively.<ref name="Sukumar int Sakshi" /><ref name="Sukriti Veni Bandreddi, lead actor of ‘Gandhi Tatha Chettu’ and Sukumar-Thabitha’s daughter, wants to be a music teacher">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Sukriti Veni Bandreddi, lead actor of ‘Gandhi Tatha Chettu’ and Sukumar-Thabitha’s daughter, wants to be a music teacher |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sukriti-veni-bandreddi-i-want-to-be-a-music-teacher-some-day/article69118882.ece |accessdate=22 January 2025 |publisher=The Hindu |date=21 January 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122075933/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sukriti-veni-bandreddi-i-want-to-be-a-music-teacher-some-day/article69118882.ece |archivedate=22 January 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

== Craft, style, and technical collaborations ==
As a writer, Sukumar is influenced by the works of [[Gudipati Venkatachalam]], [[Yandamuri Veerendranath]], and [[Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani]]. In an interview with ''Deccan Chronicle'', he revealed that each of the romantic scenes in his films are inspired from the writings of either Veerendranath or Sulochana Rani.<ref name="Sukumar NKP int DC"/> Sukumar mentioned that [[Martin Scorsese]] has had a huge influence on him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-05-06 |title=Sukumar - The Reluctant Perfectionist {{!}} Southscope.in |url=http://southscope.in/telugu/article/sukumar-reluctant-perfectionist?page=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510054908/http://southscope.in/telugu/article/sukumar-reluctant-perfectionist?page=2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-05-10 |access-date=2022-06-23 }}</ref> He uses [[nonlinear narrative|non-linear screenplay]] for most of his films and few sequences of most of his films involve revelation of finest details and re-visiting a scene again and again.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Sukumar-slick-touch-to-NTRs-film/articleshow/46353827.cms | title=Sukumar slick touch to NTR's film | work=The Times of India | date=24 February 2015 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218175203/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Sukumar-slick-touch-to-NTRs-film/articleshow/46353827.cms | archive-date=18 February 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> His screenplays are mostly complex and multi-layered which earned him the reputation of being an intelligent screenplay writer. In an interview of ''The Times of India'' in January 2014, Sukumar said that emotions play a key role in his films, stating that a film "may have multiple subplots, but in the end, it's the emotional curve that connects with the audience".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Director-Sukumar-interview/articleshow/29307211.cms | title=Director Sukumar interview | work=The Times of India | date=24 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104141910/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Director-Sukumar-interview/articleshow/29307211.cms | archive-date=4 January 2016}}</ref> Because of improvising the sequences on the sets and making changes to already filmed portions, his films took long time to complete their production phases.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Sukumar-should-take-a-cue-from-Trivikram/articleshow/28381167.cms | title=Sukumar should take a cue from Trivikram | work=The Times of India | date=4 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706092035/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Sukumar-should-take-a-cue-from-Trivikram/articleshow/28381167.cms | archive-date=6 July 2015}}</ref>

In most of his films, Sukumar's protagonists are shown to be characterised with grey shades. Y. Sunita Chowdary of ''The Hindu'' commented that Sukumar "revels in giving a slight twist to his protagonist, in his background and character" and leaves the audience to understand him as he "unties the knots during narration and justifies his behaviour and makes us root for him".<ref name="One and only"/> Karthik Keramalu of [[CNN-IBN]], in his review of ''Kumari 21F'', stated that Sukumar's lead characters are "psychologically wired differently", adding that at least one of the characters in his films "behaves in a way that will amuse the audience and the other characters present in the film".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/kumari-21f-review-the-film-is-surprisingly-good-though-it-takes-time-to-settle-down-1166932.html | title='Kumari 21F' review: The film is surprisingly good though it takes time to settle down | publisher=CNN-IBN | date=21 November 2015 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Keramalu | first=Karthik | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124114516/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/kumari-21f-review-the-film-is-surprisingly-good-though-it-takes-time-to-settle-down-1166932.html | archive-date=24 January 2016}}</ref> Regarding the same, Sukumar said, "We all have a lot of emotions and we suppress most of them fearing rejection. Instead we sport a smile and move on in this world. Problems arise when we don't enjoy all feelings like jealousy, selfishness and don't express them. To achieve something, there must be a driving force and that could be jealousy which you term as negative".<ref name="One and only"/>

Except for the short film ''I Am That Change'' whose music was composed by [[Sai Karthik]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Just-in-Poster-of-I-am-that-Change/articleshow/40107978.cms | title=Just in: Poster of 'I am that Change' | work=The Times of India | date=12 August 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815073614/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Just-in-Poster-of-I-am-that-Change/articleshow/40107978.cms | archive-date=15 August 2014}}</ref> Sukumar chose Devi Sri Prasad to compose the soundtrack and background score for all the films he directed.<ref name="DSP">{{cite web|title=Devi Sri Prasad turns actor|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151128/entertainment-tollywood/article/devi-sri-prasad-turns-actor|last=Kavirayani|first=Suresh|date=29 November 2015|work=Deccan Chronicle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218174652/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151128/entertainment-tollywood/article/devi-sri-prasad-turns-actor|archive-date=18 February 2016|url-status=live|access-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> Sukumar worked with cinematographer R. Rathnavelu for ''Arya'', ''Jagadam'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/lover-boy-turns-action-hero/article2270979.ece | title=Lover boy turns action hero | work=The Hindu | date=5 January 2007 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Narasimham | first=M. L. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218175804/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/lover-boy-turns-action-hero/article2270979.ece | archive-date=18 February 2016}}</ref> ''1: Nenokkadine'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/light-camera-and-a-lens-to-top-it-all/article5598196.ece | title=Light, camera and a lens to top it all | work=The Hindu | date=21 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Krishnamoorthy | first=Suresh | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305215434/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/light-camera-and-a-lens-to-top-it-all/article5598196.ece | archive-date=5 March 2014}}</ref> and ''Rangasthalam''. When Raju asked Sukumar about the budget to be allotted to ''Arya'', Sukumar said that he first wants Rathnavelu on board.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140121/entertainment-tollywood/article/1%E2%80%99s-cinematographer | title=1's cinematographer | work=Deccan Chronicle | date=21 January 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Kumari | first=Barkha | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104083104/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140121/entertainment-tollywood/article/1%E2%80%99s-cinematographer | archive-date=4 January 2016}}</ref> In an interview to ''The Hindu'' in March 2012, Rathnavelu said, "Sukumar's speciality is he can give you five different ways to solve every problem you encounter. He can get to the crux of the problem and figure out the best possible method to resolve it".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-three-faces-of-david/article2982022.ece | title=The three faces of David | work=The Hindu | date=10 March 2012 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Manigandan | first=K. R. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724040733/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-three-faces-of-david/article2982022.ece | archive-date=24 July 2013}}</ref> Because of their friendship with Sukumar, neither Rathnavelu nor Prasad charged any remuneration for his maiden production venture ''Kumari 21F''.<ref name="Rentala Jayadeva"/> He worked with B. Rajasekar, Venkat Prasad, [[Vijay C Chakravarthy|Vijay K. Chakravarthy]], and [[Miroslaw Kuba Brozek|Mirosław Kuba Brożek]] for ''Arya 2'', ''100% Love'', ''Nannaku Prematho'', ''Pushpa: The Rise'', and ''Pushpa 2: The Rule'', respectively.<ref>{{cite AV media | title=100% Love | publisher=[[Geetha Arts]] |year=2011 | medium=motion picture | location=India | language=te | time=00:01:10 to 00:03:42 | time-caption=From}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media | title=Nannaku Prematho | publisher=[[Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra]] |year=2016 | medium=motion picture | location=India | language=te | time=00:03:50 to 00:06:33 | time-caption=From}}</ref>

==Film production==
Sukumar established Sukumar Writings in 2014 for presenting and producing films.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.mirchi9.com/movienews/darshakudu-trailer-talk-sukumar-writings-next-chapter/| title=Darshakudu Trailer Talk: Sukumar Writings Next Chapter| last=Toleti| first=Siddartha| website=mirchi9.com| date=15 July 2017| language=en-US| access-date=2018-06-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/darshakudu-actor-ashok-elated-about-tollywood-debut/articleshow/59848309.cms| title=Darshakudu actor Ashok elated about Tollywood debut| work=The Times of India| access-date=2018-06-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.tollywood.net/shocking-heebah-patel-said-no-to-sukumar/| title=Shocking! Heebah Patel said no to Sukumar| date=2018-03-13| work=Tollywood| access-date=2018-06-08| language=en-US}}</ref> Sukumar Writings' first venture was ''[[Kumari 21F]]'', which had Sukumar's norm technicians of Devi Sri Prasad composing music and R. Rathnavelu as the director of cinematography. Ashok Banreddi and Thomas Reddy joined as co-producers with P. A. Motion Pictures; it was co-produced by Vijaya Prasad Bandreddi and Thomas Reddy.

Sukumar provided the story and screenplay for ''Kumari 21F'', his debut feature film as a co-producer, which was directed by his assistant, [[Palnati Surya Pratap]]. He took inspiration from his college days in Razole where a young woman went to a picnic with some young men; a major undertaking for a woman at the time. Rumours were spread and the woman was labelled as a "loose" character, which stayed in Sukumar's mind.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Kumari-is-the-girl-most-of-us-know-Sukumar/articleshow/49872895.cms | title=Kumari is the girl most of us know: Sukumar | work=The Times of India | date=22 November 2015 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Jonnalagedda | first=Pranita | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122160601/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Kumari-is-the-girl-most-of-us-know-Sukumar/articleshow/49872895.cms | archive-date=22 November 2015}}</ref> Produced on a budget of {{INR}}6{{ndash}}9 crore,{{efn|Film historian Rentala Jayadeva estimates the film's budget as {{INR}}6 crore,<ref name="Rentala Jayadeva">{{cite web | url=http://www.sakshi.com/news/family/requires-a-lot-of-maturity-292239 | title=చాలా మెచ్యూరిటీ అవసరం..! |trans-title=Requires a lot of Maturity..! | work=[[Sakshi (newspaper)|Sakshi]] | date=20 November 2015 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Jayadeva | first=Rentala | language=te | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123140646/http://www.sakshi.com/news/family/requires-a-lot-of-maturity-292239 | archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> [[Sify]] estimates the film's budget as {{INR}} 9 crore.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kumari-21-f-turns-out-to-be-a-hit-news-telugu-plxkJoijfhjde.html | title='Kumari 21 F' turns out to be a hit! | website=[[Sify]] | date=23 November 2015 | access-date=18 February 2016 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123144937/http://www.sify.com/movies/kumari-21-f-turns-out-to-be-a-hit-news-telugu-plxkJoijfhjde.html | archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>}} ''Kumari 21F'' grossed {{INR}}38 crore and became the 12th highest grossing Telugu film of the year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/baahubali-kumari-21f-top-20-highest-grossing-telugu-tollywood-movies-2015-662060 | title=Baahubali to Kumari 21F: Top 20 highest-grossing Telugu/Tollywood movies of 2015 | work=International Business Times India | date=5 January 2016 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=H. Hooli | first=Shekhar | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105145832/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/baahubali-kumari-21f-top-20-highest-grossing-telugu-tollywood-movies-2015-662060 | archive-date=5 January 2016}}</ref> Siddharth Rao of ''[[The Times of India]]'' stated, "In an industry where a damsel-in-distress-wooed-and-saved-by-an-angry-young-man is the norm, this is refreshing. Kudos to the writer Sukumar for giving yet another off-beat story with characters that can't be put into a box".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/Kumari-21-F/movie-review/49862745.cms | title=Kumari 21 F Movie Review | work=The Times of India | date=20 November 2015 | access-date=18 February 2016 | last=Rao | first=Siddharth | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124141556/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/Kumari-21-F/movie-review/49862745.cms | url-status=live | archive-date=24 November 2015}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{{Main|Sukumar filmography}}

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Ceremony
! Category
! Film
! Result
! Ref(s)
|-
| [[Nandi Awards]]
| [[Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer]]
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Arya (2004 film)|Arya]]''
| {{won}}
| <ref name="Arya Nandi"/>
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[Filmfare Awards South]]
| rowspan="5" | [[Filmfare Award for Best Director&nbsp;– Telugu]]
| {{won}}
| <ref name="Arya Filmfare"/>
|-
| ''[[Arya 2]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="Arya 2 Filmfare"/>
|-
| ''[[Rangasthalam]]''
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Nominations for the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019|url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-66th-filmfare-awards-south-2019_-37931.html|access-date=23 December 2019|website=[[Filmfare]]}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners of the 66th Filmfare Awards (South) 2019|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/winners-of-the-66th-filmfare-awards-south-2019_-38163.html|access-date=23 December 2019|website=[[Filmfare]]}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Pushpa: The Rise]]''
|{{Won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | ''[[100% Love (2011 film)|100% Love]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="100 Love Filmfare"/>
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[South Indian International Movie Awards]]
| rowspan="4" | [[SIIMA Award for Best Director – Telugu|Best Director – Telugu]]
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="100 Love SIIMA"/>
|-
| ''[[Nannaku Prematho]]''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/siima-nominations-theri-janatha-garage-maheshinte-prathikaram-and-kirik-party-lead-4683082/|title=SIIMA Nominations: Theri, Janatha Garage, Maheshinte Prathikaram and Kirik Party lead|work=The Indian Express|date=31 May 2017|access-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330142906/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/siima-nominations-theri-janatha-garage-maheshinte-prathikaram-and-kirik-party-lead-4683082/|archive-date=30 March 2018}}</ref><br/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/siima-2017-jr-ntr-bags-best-actor-kirik-party-wins-best-film-1021817-2017-07-01|title=SIIMA 2017 Day 1: Jr NTR bags Best Actor, Kirik Party wins Best Film|work=India Today|date=1 July 2017|access-date=30 March 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180330143249/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/siima-2017-jr-ntr-bags-best-actor-kirik-party-wins-best-film-1021817-2017-07-01|archive-date=30 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Rangasthalam]]''
| {{won}}
| 
|-
|''[[Pushpa: The Rise]]''
|{{Won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[CineMAA Awards]]
| Best Director (Jury)
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Arya (2004 film)|Arya]]''
| {{won}}
| <ref name="Arya CineMAA">{{cite web | url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/2004cinemaa-awards.html | title=CineMAA Awards 2004 | publisher=Idlebrain.com | date=23 January 2006 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318221953/http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/2004cinemaa-awards.html | archive-date=18 March 2015}}</ref>
|-
| Best Screenplay writer
| {{won}}
| <ref name="Arya CineMAA"/>
|-
|[[Santosham Film Awards]]
|[[Santosham Best Director Award|Best Director]]
|''[[Rangasthalam]]''
|{{won}}
|
|-
| KV Reddy memorial award<br/><small>(for contribution to Telugu cinema)</small>
| {{mdash}}
| {{mdash}}
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Sukumar-was-honored-with-KV-Reddy-award/articleshow/45118531.cms | title=Sukumar was honored with KV Reddy award | work=The Times of India | date=12 November 2014 | access-date=18 February 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160218174025/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Sukumar-was-honored-with-KV-Reddy-award/articleshow/45118531.cms | archive-date=18 February 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book|last1=Chinnarayana|first1=Pulagam|url=http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/PavanJandhyala/library/Arya?sort=3&page=1|title=సినిమా వెనుక స్టోరీ: ఫీల్ మై లవ్|trans-title=Behind the scenes: Feel my love|language=te|date=18 October 2015|publisher=Sakshi Funday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610210454/http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/PavanJandhyala/library/Arya?sort=3&page=1|url-status=live|archive-date=10 June 2016}}

== External links ==
{{Portal bar|India|Biography|Cinema}}
*{{IMDb name}}
{{Sukumar (director)}}
{{SIIMA Award for Best Director – Telugu}}
{{FilmfareAwardBestTeluguDirector}}
{{authority control}}
{{good article}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sukumar}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Telugu film directors]]
[[Category:Indian male screenwriters]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards South winners]]
[[Category:Nandi Award winners]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Gaddar Telangana Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:Film directors from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Telugu screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Santosham Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:CineMAA Awards winners]]
[[Category:People from Kakinada]]
[[Category:Film people from East Godavari district]]