Atlee (director) explained

Atlee
Birth Name:Arun Kumar
Birth Date:1986 9, df=y
Birth Place:Thiruparankundram, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Years Active:2010–present
Spouse:[1]
Children:1
Alma Mater:Sathyabama University[2]

Arun Kumar (born 21 September 1986), known professionally as Atlee, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film producer best known for his work in Tamil cinema.[2] He initially worked as an assistant director under S. Shankar in the films Enthiran (2010) and Nanban (2012). He made his directorial debut with the film Raja Rani (2013), produced by Fox Star Studios, for which he was awarded Best Debut Director by the Vijay Award and the Tamil Nadu State award for best dialogue writer.

He directed the films Theri (2016), Mersal (2017) and Bigil (2019), all featuring Vijay, all of which became commercially successful at the box office and won several accolades. He then directed the Hindi-language Jawan (2023) starring Shah Rukh Khan, which emerged as his highest-grossing release.

Career

Atlee began his career at the age of 25, as an assistant director to director S. Shankar for the films Enthiran (2010) and Nanban (2012), a remake of the Hindi film 3 Idiots. His short film, Mugaputhagam (2011), received a massive response from the public and across various media platforms. In 2013, Atlee went on to make his directorial debut with Raja Rani, a rom com produced by A. R. Murugadoss. It starred Arya, Jai, Nayanthara, Nazriya Nazim, and Sathyaraj. It earned over ₹50 crores at the box office and won him the Best Debut Director award at the Vijay Awards.[3] [4]

Following the success of Raja Rani, Atlee went on to direct his next film, Theri (2016), an emotional action thriller, produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu, starring Vijay, Samantha, and Amy Jackson in the lead roles. It received positive reviews from the critics who praised the performances of the cast, soundtrack, score, cinematography, production design, and action sequences. Grossing over ₹150 crores at the box office, it emerged as a huge commercial success and became the second highest grossing Tamil of 2016.[5]

In 2017, Atlee went on to direct Mersal, an action thriller, produced by Thenandal Studio Limited. Again starring Vijay, it also had Nithya Menen, Kajal Aggarwal, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, S. J. Suryah, Sathyaraj, Vadivelu, Hareesh Peradi, and Kovai Sarala appear in pivotal supporting roles. It was a commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in Tamil cinema, grossing more than ₹260 crores worldwide. The film became the recipient of various accolades. The film was released on 6 December 2018 in China by HGC Entertainment. Due to demand, the film was screened at the largest cinema theatre in Europe Grand Rex, France. The film was screened at the Hainan International Film Festival in Hainan, China and at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea.[6]

Atlee directed his next film, Bigil (2019), a sports action drama, produced by AGS Entertainment. He reunited for the third and second time with Vijay and Nayanthara, respectively. It also starred Jackie Shroff, Vivek and Kathir in other prominent roles. The music was composed by A. R. Rahman. Upon release, it received fairly positive reviews and emerged as the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2019, collecting ₹305 crore upon its release. It also became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of all-time and one of the highest-grossing film of Vijay's career.[7]

He also ventured into producing films. In 2017, Atlee and his wife, Priya Atlee, started their own production house, A for Apple Productions. They jointly produced their first film with Fox Star Studios, Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae, a horror comedy, written and directed by Ike. It starred Jiiva, Sri Divya, and Soori in the lead roles.[8]

In 2020, Atlee and Priya produced their second film, Andhaghaaram, a supernatural horror thriller film, written and directed by V. Vignarajan. It was produced by Priya Atlee, alongside Sudhan Sundaram, and Jayaram, under their banner, Passion Studio and K. Poornachandra's O2 Pictures. It starred Arjun Das, Vinoth Kishan, and Kumar Natarajan in the lead roles along with Pooja Ramachandran and Meesha Ghoshal in supporting roles. It was released directly on Netflix for streaming, on 24 November 2020.[9]

Atlee made his debut in Hindi cinema with Jawan,[10] starring Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra, Riddhi Dogra, along with others. Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Dutt made a special appearance and cameo appearance, respectively, in the film. It was produced by Khan's wife, Gauri Khan, and Gaurav Verma, under Red Chillies Entertainment. The music was composed by Anirudh Ravichander. It released on 7 September 2023 to generally positive reviews from both the critics and audience, alike. It set the record for a Hindi film grossing ₹129 crores (US$12.9 million) on its opening day. It grossed 520.79 crores worldwide in its opening weekend.

Personal life

Atlee married actress Krishna Priya on 9 November 2014.[11] [12] Their son was born on 13 January 2023.[13]

Filmography

As director

YearTitleLanguageNotes
2013Raja RaniTamil[14]
2016Theri
2017Mersal
2019 Bigil
2023JawanPartially reshot in Tamil

As producer

YearTitleLanguageNotes
2017Sangili Bungili Kadhava ThoraeTamil
2020Andhaghaaram
2024Baby JohnHindi Co-producer

Guest appearances

List of special appearances by Atlee in film
YearTitleNotes
2012Nanban In the song "Asku Laska"
2019Bigil In the song "Singappenney"
2023Jawan In the song "Zinda Banda"

Recurring collaborations

Editor Ruben, art director T. Muthuraj and actor Sai Dheena have worked on five of Atlee's films. Shobi and Yogi Babu has worked on four of his films. This list only concerns Atlee's directorial films.

Films G. K. VishnuAmritha Aiyer
Raja Rani (2013)colspan="3"
Theri (2016)deleted sceneuncredited
Mersal (2017)
Bigil (2019)
Jawan (2023)Tamil version Tamil version

Plagiarism allegations

Atlee's films, though commercially highly successful, have been criticized for having overly-familiar stories that have been done-to-death, starting from the 1980's of Tamil cinema. Raja Rani was described as an upgraded version of Mouna Ragam (1986), while Theri was described as inspired by Chatriyan (1990).[15] Mersal was described as an upgraded version of Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) as well as Moondru Mugam (1982).[16] Bigil was described as "Chak De! India (2007) on steroids".[17] Atlee has countered that, despite having been sued for plagiarism numerous times, he has won all the cases against him.[18]

Accolades

Film Award Category Result Ref
Raja RaniTamil Nadu State Film Awards 2013Best Dialogue Writer[19]
Edison AwardsBest Debut Director
8th Vijay AwardsBest Debut Director[20]
Best Story, Screenplay Writer
Best Dialogue
3rd SIIMA AwardsBest Debut Director
Theri2nd IIFA UtsavamBest Director – Tamil[21]
Behindwoods Gold MedalPeople's Choice Director [22]
6th SIIMA AwardsBest Director – Tamil[23]
64th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Director – Tamil[24]
MersalEdison Awards 2018Best Director[25]
65th Filmfare Awards SouthBest Director – Tamil[26]
7th SIIMA AwardsBest Director[27]
Techofes AwardsBest Director[28]
10th Vijay AwardsFavourite Director[29]
[30]
Best Dialogue

Notes and References

  1. News: The Times of India . Atlee announces this wedding date! . 7 September 2023 . 16 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230907173316/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/atlee-announces-this-wedding-date/articleshow/43135523.cms . 7 September 2023.
  2. Web site: Atlee Kumar (atlee) Biography, Life Story, Career, Awards & Achievements . . en . 10 February 2019 . 12 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130708/https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/atlee-kumar/biography.html . live .
  3. Web site: Raja Rani crosses 50 crore mark . 16 February 2015 . . 25 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181225003317/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Raja-Rani-crosses-50-crore-mark/articleshow/24596359.cms%20 . live .
  4. Web site: 8th Annual Vijay Awards a grand success . 20 January 2016 . . 25 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181225003312/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/8th-Annual-Vijay-Awards-a-grand-success/articleshow/37960678.cms . live .
  5. Web site: India's Vijay Scores New Personal Record With Excellent 'Theri' Debut . . 24 July 2023 . 24 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230724213040/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2016/04/18/indias-vijay-scores-new-personal-record-with-huge-theri-debut/?sh=4c3ef9ee16af . live .
  6. Web site: Vijay's 'Mersal' Rules Overseas With ₹20 Cr./$3M Start . . 24 July 2023 . 24 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230724212916/https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2017/10/24/vijays-mersal-rules-overseas-with-%E2%82%B920-cr-3m-start/?sh=4b4d797345fa . live .
  7. Web site: Did Vijay's 'Bigil' incur losses at the box office despite being the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2019? . The Times of India . 24 July 2023 . 24 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230724212708/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/did-vijays-bigil-incur-losses-at-the-box-office-despite-being-the-highest-grossing-tamil-film-of-2019/articleshow/76067337.cms . live .
  8. Web site: Sangili Bungili... star cast gets bigger . Deccan Chronicle . 24 July 2023 . 24 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230724212443/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/230316/sangili-bungili-star-cast-gets-bigger-1.html . live .
  9. Web site: Atlee’s Andhaghaaram to release on Netflix . The Indian Express . 24 July 2023 . 5 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201205031809/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/atlee-andhaghaaram-to-release-on-netflix-6909813/ . live .
  10. Web site: ‘A dream come true’: Atlee, Anirudh Ravichander express excitement about working with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan . The Indian Express . 24 July 2023 . 28 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220728213812/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/atlee-anirudh-ravichander-express-excitement-about-working-with-shah-rukh-khan-jawan-7951593/ . live .
  11. Web site: Director Atlee is engaged to his Rani, Krishna Priya . Behindwoods . 20 January 2016 . 20 January 2016 . 25 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181225003314/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/love-story-is-getting-all-real-now.html%20 . live .
  12. Web site: Atlee-Krishna Priya Wedding Reception Photos . 20 January 2016 . . 9 November 2014 . 25 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181225003319/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/atlee-krishna-priya-marriage-wedding-reception-photos-613477 . live .
  13. News: 2023-05-07 . Jawan director Atlee Kumar and wife Priya reveal name of baby boy, share family photo . The Economic Times . 2023-09-25 . 0013-0389 . 7 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231007035034/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/jawan-director-atlee-kumar-and-wife-priya-reveal-name-of-baby-boy-share-family-photo/articleshow/100054599.cms?from=mdr . live .
  14. Web site: Before Thalapathy 63: The films Atlee has been accused of plagiarising . 17 April 2019 . 14 June 2021 . . en . Chennai . 2 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210702163155/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/before-thalapathy-63-the-films-atlee-has-been-accused-of-plagiarising-1504018-2019-04-17 . live .
  15. Web site: 17 April 2019 . Before Thalapathy 63: The films Atlee has been accused of plagiarising . India Today . 15 April 2020 . 2 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210702163155/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/before-thalapathy-63-the-films-atlee-has-been-accused-of-plagiarising-1504018-2019-04-17 . live .
  16. Web site: 21 October 2017 . Mersal is indebted to Kamal Haasan’s Aboorva Sagotharargal, as much as Baahubali to Thevar Magan . The Indian Express . 8 September 2023 . 8 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230908162116/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/opinion-entertainment/vijay-mersal-kamal-haasan-aboorva-sagotharargal-baahubali-thevar-magan-4899620/ . live .
  17. Web site: 12 October 2019 . Shahrukh Khan calls Bigil trailer, Chak De India on steroids . . 8 September 2023 . 8 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230908161807/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/oct/12/shahrukh-khan-calls-bigil-trailer-as-chak-de-india-on-steroids-14855.html . live .
  18. Web site: 21 September 2023 . Assistant director to being Ambani's guest, Atlee's growth is a huge inspiration . 2023-09-25 . India Today . en . 21 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230921235348/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/assistant-director-to-being-ambanis-guest-atlees-growth-is-a-huge-inspiration-birthday-2438487-2023-09-21 . live .
  19. News: TN Govt. announces Tamil Film Awards for six years . The Hindu . 14 July 2017 . 6 November 2021 . 15 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180615081711/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/tn-govt-announces-tamil-film-awards-for-six-years/article19273078.ece . live .
  20. News: Sangeetha . Seshagiri . Vijay Awards: Ajith's 'Arrambam', Kamal Haasan, Sivakarthikeyan Bag Awards [Winners List] ]. 6 July 2014 . . 6 July 2014 . 19 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170519170623/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-awards-ajiths-arrambam-kamal-haasan-sivakarthikeyan-bag-awards-winners-list-603771 . live .
  21. News: Upadhyaya . Prakash . 14 March 2017 . IIFA South Utsavam Awards 2017: Here is the complete nomination list for Tamil movies . International Business Times . live . 18 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170518092100/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/iifa-south-utsavam-awards-2017-here-complete-nomination-list-tamil-movies-719346 . 18 May 2017.
  22. Web site: 14 June 2017 . Complete list of award winners in Behindwoods Gold Medals 2017 . 2 October 2021 . Behindwoods . 17 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170617021224/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/complete-list-of-award-winners-in-behindwoods-gold-medals-2017.html . live .
  23. Web site: SIIMA 2017 Nomination List – Tamil . dead . . 31 May 2017 . https://archive.today/20170531085328/http://siima.in/2017/nominations.html . 31 May 2017 .
  24. Web site: Tamil Nominations for Filmfare Awards South 2017 . live . . 9 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170609074040/http://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-south-2017/tamil/nominations . 9 June 2017.
  25. News: Ilayathalapathy Vijay's Mersal sweeps Edison Awards [winners' list] ]. International Business Times . Upadhyaya . Prakash . 26 February 2018 . 29 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180429105814/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/11th-edison-awards-vijays-mersal-wins-big-complete-winners-list-2017-761866 . 29 April 2018 . live.
  26. Web site: Nominations for the 65th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) 2018 . . 4 June 2018 . 4 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180604163156/https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-65th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-2018_-28652.html . 4 June 2018 . live.
  27. Web site: SIIMA 2018 Nominations: Vijay's Mersal Beats Madhavan And Vijay Sethupathi's Vikram Vedha . . Goyal . Divya . 15 August 2018 . 10 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180910171301/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/siima-2018-nominations-vijays-mersal-beats-madhavan-and-vijay-sethupathis-vikram-vedha-1901012 . 10 September 2018 . live.
  28. Web site: T-Awards Poll . . 19 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219154638/http://techofes.org.in/tawards/ . 19 February 2018 . dead.
    Web site: Pro Shows . Techofes . 19 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219155111/http://techofes.org.in/pro-shows/ . 19 February 2018 . dead.
  29. News: Vijay Awards 2018: Here is the complete list of winners [Photos] ]. . Upadhyaya . Prakash . 4 June 2018 . 4 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180604112225/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-awards-2018-catch-live-updates-event-photos-complete-winners-list-770862 . 4 June 2018 . live.
  30. Web site: The Glitzy Night is Here! . . 16 June 2018 . 18 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180618080028/http://www.hotstar.com/tv/vijay-awards/4031/the-glitzy-night-is-here/1100005877 . 18 June 2018 . live.
    Web site: Stars of the Night . Hotstar . 17 June 2018 . 18 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180618075951/http://www.hotstar.com/tv/vijay-awards/4031/stars-of-the-night/1100005893 . 18 June 2018 . live.

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