Karuna Kumar is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works primarily in Telugu cinema. He is best known for directing the 2020 film Palasa 1978.

Career

Karuna Kumar's debut film Palasa 1978 was released in March 2020 opening to positive reviews from the critics. The film revolves around the incidents related to caste discrimination and untouchability. It was featured in year-end best films' charts including Film Companion and The Times of India. His next directorial Metro Kathalu was released on streaming service Aha. Made as an anthology, The Times of India criticized Kumar's work and felt that the film "doesn’t have a fresh theme". He then directed Sridevi Soda Center featuring Sudheer Babu and Anandhi in lead roles. Writing for The Hindu, Sangeetha Devi Dundoo in her review, wrote that "With Sridevi Soda Center, Karuna Kumar takes a mainstream approach given the presence of actor Sudheer Babu and tries to keep the narrative gritty while discussing issues of honour". Others critics opined that the film could do much better in terms of screenplay.

Before the release of Sridevi Soda Center, in July 2021, The Hans India reported that Kumar has eight upcoming films. In November 2021, he walked out of the Telugu remake of the Malayalam film, Nayattu, over creative differences.

Filmography

As director and writer

List of films
YearTitle
2020Palasa 1978
Metro Kathalu
2021Sridevi Soda Center
2022Kalapuram
2024Matka
2026Honey

As actor

YearTitleRole
2020Uma Maheswara Ugra RoopasyaKaruna
2025Katha KamamishuSridhar

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations received
YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2021South Indian International Movie AwardsBest Debut Director – TeluguPalasa 1978Won
2021Santosham Film AwardsBest Debut DirectorWon

External links