Premkumar Chandran is an Indian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer who primarily works in Tamil cinema. He is widely known for his critically acclaimed directorial debut '96 (2018) as well as Meiyazhagan.
Career
Before making his mark in the film industry as a director, Prem Kumar was established as a cinematographer, working on several Tamil films including Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012), which was based on an incident in which he fell during a cricket match and lost his memory during his own wedding.[1]
Prem Kumar's first film as a director was the reunion film '96, which was well received.[2][3][4] The film was noted for having a strong female lead character, which was lacking in most Tamil films.[5] He subsequently directed Jaanu (2020), the Telugu remake of '96.[6] His third film as a director was Meiyazhagan, which was based on the bromance between its lead characters. Meiyazhagan also released to positive reviews.[7][8] In July 2025, Vels Film International officially announced that Prem Kumar's next movie with Vikram and the film is touted to be action thriller film.[9]
Filmography
As director
- Note: all films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
| Year | Film | Notes | Template:Reference heading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | '96 | ||
| 2020 | Jaanu | Telugu film WonTemplate:EmdashGollapudi Srinivas Award |
[10] |
| 2024 | Meiyazhagan | ||
| TBA | Thriller with Fahadh Faasil | ||
| TBD | Chiyaan 64 | [11] | |
| TBD | '96 Part 2 | Sequel of '96 |
As cinematographer
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Pasanga | |
| 2011 | Varnam | |
| 2012 | Sundarapandian | |
| Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom | ||
| 2014 | Rummy | |
| 2017 | Yeidhavan | |
| 2020 | Oru Pakka Kathai |
Frequent collaborators
| Film | Govind Vasantha | Mahendiran Jayaraju | R. Govindaraj | Varsha Bollamma | Gouri G. Kishan | Devadarshini | Rajkumar | Chinmayi Sripada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| '96 (2018) | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick |
| Jaanu (2020) | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | |||
| Meiyazhagan (2024) | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | Template:Tick | |||
| 96 Part 2 | Template:Tick | Template:Tick |
References
- ↑ Can't recollect my wedding: C Prem Kumar, S, Venkadesan. The New Indian Express(22 November 2012). Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ Love without boundaries: Director Prem Kumar on crafting the offbeat romance '96', Raman, Sruthi Ganapathy. Scroll.in(5 September 2018). Retrieved 3 October 2021.
- ↑ Template:'-'96' will appeal to the '90s generation, says director C Prem Kumar, Anantharam, Chitradeepa(3 October 2018). Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ 'There Are Many Like Ram Who Give Women The Respect They Deserve, Sadly They Are Ridiculed For Their Sensitivity': C Prem Kumar, Director Of 96′(17 October 2018). Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ We don't see layers to women characters on screen often: '96' director Prem Kumar to TNM, Rajendran, Sowmya. The News Minute(28 August 2018). Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ 96 director Prem Kumar roped in for Karthi's next, film to commence in a few months. India Today(16 January 2023). Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ With Meiyazhagan, I Wanted To Speak Positively About Love & Affection: Filmmaker C Prem Kumar. OTTPlay. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ C Prem Kumar's Meiyazhagan Is A Beauty To Behold. OTTPlay. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ 'Chiyaan 64' takes off; Untold story behind Vikram and Prem Kumar's surprise union, film to hit floor in August. The Times of India(19 July 2025).
- ↑ Gollapudi award goes to Prem Kumar for 96(16 March 2019). Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ Chiyaan 64: Vikram joins hands with Prem Kumar for his next. Cinema Express(16 July 2025).