Sunil Kumar known by his screen name Simple Suni, is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Kannada cinema. He made his debut with the critically and commercially successful 2013 film Simple Agi Ondh Love Story.[2]
Suni | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names | Simple Suni |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Spouse |
Soundarya Gowda (m. 2017) |
Career edit
As director edit
Suni kick started his career with Janumada Gelathi, where he worked as an assistant director under Dinesh Baboo. Simultaneously working for Januma Janumadallu, under Prema, he later went on to become an associate director for Dinesh Baboo in School Master and other films. Subsequently, focus shifted to a few short films, but when he decided to go independent, what came his way was Simple Agi Ondh Love Story. When producers expected him to cut down budgets with each script, a few friends Pawan Sagar and Suni decided to go independent and invested their own money and made Simple Agi Ondh Love Story on a budget of approximately ₹30 to 40 lakhs.
He went on to produce the cult classic movie Ulidavaru Kandanthe. However, after its dismal performance at the box office, he returned to directing with Bahuparak. It was again in 2017 that he directed Operation Alamelamma starring debutant Rishi and Shraddha Srinath.[3] His next was with Golden star Ganesh and Rashmika titled Chamak which was an instant hit among audience for its quirky take on modern relationships.[4]
He then introduced Dhanveer Gowda in Bazaar which was a decent hit at the box office. He once again teamed with Ganesh for Sakath which was also a decent hit at the box office.
He then collaborated with Sharan and Ashika Rangnath for Avatara Purusha to be released in two parts under Pushkar Films banner.[5] Made under a considerably huge budget the movie opened to positive reviews but did not fetch the desired results at the box office.[6] With a small setback on the release of the Second installment of Avatara Purusha, he announced a couple of movies over the months, starting with Robinhood starring debutant Dushyanth which was later halted and Introduced Dushyanth with another movie Gathavaibhava alongside Ashika Rangnath.[7][8] Then he announced Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe with Vinay Rajkumar, Mallika Singh and Swatishta Krishnan, with the latter two making Kannada Debut.[9] OSPK opened to positive reviews and was a commercially successful venture.[10][11] He had his next release Avatara Purusha Part 2 within 2 months of his previous release and received mixed reviews at the box office.[12][13]
His next in the sequence would be Gathavaibhava. He is also yet to start The Story of Raygada which is one of his most awaited work and marks his third collaboration with Ganesh.
Filmography edit
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Lyricist | Screenwriter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Simple Agi Ondh Love Story | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada[citation needed] |
| 2014 | Ulidavaru Kandanthe | No | Yes | Yes | No | Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada[citation needed] |
| Bahuparak | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| 2016 | Simpallag Innondh Love Story | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2017 | Operation Alamelamma | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Chowka | No | No | No | Yes | Dialogues only | |
| Happy New Year | No | No | No | Yes | Dialogues only | |
| Chamak | Yes | No | No | Yes | Nominated - SIIMA Award for Best Director – Kannada[citation needed] | |
| 2019 | Bazaar | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 2021 | Sakath | Yes | No | Yes | No | |
| 2022 | Avatara Purusha | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | [14] |
| 2024 | Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | [15] |
| 2024 | Avatara Purusha Part 2 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | [16] |
| TBA | Gatha Vaibhava † | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Filming[17] |
| TBA | The Story Of Raygada † | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Pre Production [18][19] |
References edit
- ^ ""I'll plan my wife's next birthday at Wonder La," says director Simple Suni in a funny birthday note". The Times of India. 30 April 2021.
- ^ Ashoka M. K. (23 March 2013). "From soppu to Sandalwood". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ^ "Operation Alamelamma Movie Review". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "ChamakUA". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (2 May 2022). "'Avatara Purusha will be a refreshing change for the audience'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Sharan's Avatara Purusha 2 not shelved; in post-production, says director Suni". OTTPlay. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Ashika Ranganath to romance newbie Dushyanth in Suni's next, Gatha Vaibhava". OTTPlay. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Service, Express News (8 February 2022). "Suni puts Robin hood on hold, opts to do a fun film with debutant Dushyanth". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "RadhaKrishn fame Mallika Singh is a Kashmiri in her Kannada film debut, Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe". OTTPlay. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Kodur, Swaroop (9 February 2024). "Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe review: A fun, light-hearted entertainer". The News Minute. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe review: Suni serves largely delightful fun watch rom-com". OTTPlay. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (6 April 2024). "Movie review: 'Avatara Purusha 2' leaves you stranded in the world of trishanku, wanting more". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "Avatara Purusha 2 Review: This Black Magic Drama Fails To Cast A Spell!". TimesNow. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "Sharan-Suni's Avatara Purusha release date announced". Cinema Express. 4 November 2021. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ Service, Express News (4 January 2024). "Suni's Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe locks release date". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Sharan's Avatara Purusha 2 not shelved; in post-production, says director Suni". OTTPlay. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "On His 35th Birthday, Simple Suni Chooses Shooting Over Celebrations". News18. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ Suresh, Sunayana. "Ganesh to collaborate with Suni yet again". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "ಸಿಂಪಲ್ ಸುನಿ ಜೊತೆ ಸೇರಿ 'ದಿ ಸ್ಟೋರಿ ಆಫ್ ರಾಯಘಡ' ಹೇಳಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಗೋಲ್ಡನ್ ಸ್ಟಾರ್ ಗಣೇಶ್!". Vijaya Karnataka (in Kannada). Retrieved 9 January 2021.