Prem (film director)

Kiran Kumar (born 22 October 1976),^[1] known by his screen name Prem, is an Indian film director and actor in Kannada cinema. He is also an occasional singer and lyricist. He is considered one of the star directors in Kannada film industry.^[2]Making his debut in the 2003 released Kariya, he directed back-to-back three successful films and is popularly addressed as Hatrick Director. He made his acting debut in Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide in the year 2008. Since Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide his movies seem to have taken a mediocre run in box office and the audience have not accepted his acting roles either. His 2013 movie Daasavala explored his capability as comedian. The film was widely criticized and was branded as a box-office disaster.

Personal life

Prem was born as Kiran Kumar on 22 October 1976 in Maddur, in the Mandya district of the Indian State of Karnataka, to Rajappa and Bhagyamma.^[1] He is married to actress-turned-producer Rakshita and they have a son together, Surya.

Career

Prem began his career as director in 2003 with Kariya, a gangster romance film starring Darshan in the lead. The film was critically acclaimed and appreciated by the audience. Prem was lauded for his casting of real life big dons to act in his movie. The soundtrack and cinematography was also widely appreciated. Darshan played a gangster struggling to express his love. The same year he directed a light-hearted romantic film Excuse Me with Ajay Rao, Sunil Raoh and Ramya in the lead roles. The film turned out to be a musical hit with many of its songs composed by R. P. Patnaik becoming the chartbusters.

In 2005, Prem came up with his biggest blockbuster film Jogi starring Shivarajkumar, Jennifer Kotwal and Arundhati Nag in the lead roles. The film went on to make recording collections at the box-office. The mother-son sentiment theme was widely lauded and was considered as Shivarajkumar's biggest comeback film.

Following three back-to-back super hit films, Prem tried his hands on acting besides directing the film Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide in 2008. The film's pre-release promotions were held with much media attention and the expectations from the film was high rising. Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat made her debut in South Indian films with a special appearance. However, upon release, the film failed to live up to the hype created. The film was widely criticized and was branded as a box-office disaster.

Overcoming failure, Prem next directed the film Raaj the Showman in 2010. The film starred Puneeth Rajkumar and Priyanka Kothari. The film is remembered mostly for its soundtrack by V. Harikrishna and cinematography. The movie was an average grosser at the box office despite the presence of the heavy-weights Puneeth Rajkumar and V. Harikrishna.

Prem, for the first time without himself directing, accepted to play the lead role in the controversial film titled Prem Adda, a remake of the Tamil blockbuster hit Subramaniapuram with music by V.Harikrishna directed by Mahesh Babu. The film was widely criticized and was branded as a box-office disaster.

Filmography

References