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Atlee (director)

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Atlee (director)

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 films. 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. Atlee has directed and written films like Theri, Mersal, and Bigil all featuring Vijay. Atlee made his debut in Hindi cinema with Jawan (2023), starring Shah Rukh Khan, which became an all-time blockbuster at the box office. He is currently making his Telugu film debut with AA22xA6, starring Allu Arjun.

Infobox

Born
Arun Kumar (1986-09-21) 21 September 1986 (age 39)Thiruparankundram, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation
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Years active
2010-present
Spouse
mw- Krishna Priya (m. 2014)
Children
1

Tables

· Filmography › As director
2011
Mugaputhagam
Role(s)
Tamil
Notes
Short film
2013
Raja Rani
2016
Theri
2017
Mersal
2019
Bigil
2023
Jawan
Role(s)
Hindi
Notes
Partially reshot in Tamil
2025
Agent Ching Attacks
Role(s)
Short film
2027
AA22xA6 †
Role(s)
Telugu
Year
Title
Language
Notes
2011
Mugaputhagam
Tamil
Short film
2013
Raja Rani
2016
Theri
2017
Mersal
2019
Bigil
2023
Jawan
Hindi
Partially reshot in Tamil
2025
Agent Ching Attacks
Short film
2027
AA22xA6 †
Telugu
· Filmography › As producer
2017
Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae
Role(s)
Tamil
2020
Andhaghaaram
Role(s)
Shot in 2014; Delayed release
2024
Baby John
Role(s)
Hindi
Notes
Remake of TheriCo-producer
Year
Title
Language
Notes
2017
Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae
Tamil
2020
Andhaghaaram
Shot in 2014; Delayed release
2024
Baby John
Hindi
Remake of TheriCo-producer
List of guest appearances by Atlee in film · Filmography › As actor
2012
Nanban
Role(s)
Asstiant Director
Notes
Tamil
2019
Bigil
Role(s)
Football Player
Notes
In the song "Singappenney"
2023
Jawan
Role(s)
Dancer
Notes
Hindi
Year
Title
Role
Languages
Notes
2012
Nanban
Asstiant Director
Tamil
In the song "Asku Laska"
2019
Bigil
Football Player
In the song "Singappenney"
2023
Jawan
Dancer
Hindi
In the song "Zinda Banda"
· Filmography › Recurring collaborations
Raja Rani (2013)
Raja Rani (2013)
Films
Raja Rani (2013)
Ruben
Y
T. Muthuraj
Y
Sai Dheena
Y
Yogi Babu
Y
Nayanthara
Y
G. K. Vishnu
Y
Theri (2016)
Theri (2016)
Films
Theri (2016)
Ruben
Y
T. Muthuraj
Y
Sai Dheena
Y
Shobi
Y
Yogi Babu
Ydeleted scene
Vijay
Y
G. K. Vishnu
Y
Vivek (lyricist)
Y
Mersal (2017)
Mersal (2017)
Films
Mersal (2017)
Ruben
Y
T. Muthuraj
Y
Sai Dheena
Y
Shobi
Y
Yogi Babu
Y
Vijay
Y
G. K. Vishnu
Y
Vivek (lyricist)
Y
Rajendran
Y
Bigil (2019)
Bigil (2019)
Films
Bigil (2019)
Ruben
Y
T. Muthuraj
Y
Sai Dheena
Y
Shobi
Y
Yogi Babu
Y
Vijay
Y
Nayanthara
Y
G. K. Vishnu
Y
Vivek (lyricist)
Y
Manobala
Y
Jawan (2023)
Jawan (2023)
Films
Jawan (2023)
Ruben
Y
T. Muthuraj
Y
Sai Dheena
Y
Shobi
Y
Yogi Babu
YTamil version
Nayanthara
Y
G. K. Vishnu
Y
Vivek (lyricist)
Y Tamil version
Films
Ruben
T. Muthuraj
Sai Dheena
Shobi
Yogi Babu
Vijay
Nayanthara
G. K. Vishnu
Vivek (lyricist)
Manobala
Rajendran
Raja Rani (2013)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Theri (2016)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Ydeleted scene
Y
Y
Y
Mersal (2017)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Bigil (2019)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Jawan (2023)
Y
Y
Y
Y
YTamil version
Y
Y
Y Tamil version
· Accolades
Raja Rani
Raja Rani
Film
Raja Rani
Award
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 2013
Category
Best Dialogue Writer
Result
Won
Edison Awards
Edison Awards
Film
Edison Awards
Award
Best Debut Director
Category
Won
8th Vijay Awards
8th Vijay Awards
Film
8th Vijay Awards
Award
Best Debut Director
Category
Won
Best Story, Screenplay Writer
Best Story, Screenplay Writer
Film
Best Story, Screenplay Writer
Award
Nominated
Best Dialogue
Best Dialogue
Film
Best Dialogue
Award
Nominated
3rd SIIMA Awards
3rd SIIMA Awards
Film
3rd SIIMA Awards
Award
Best Debut Director
Category
Nominated
Theri
Theri
Film
Theri
Award
2nd IIFA Utsavam
Category
Best Director – Tamil
Result
Won
6th SIIMA Awards
6th SIIMA Awards
Film
6th SIIMA Awards
Award
Best Director – Tamil
Category
Won
64th Filmfare Awards South
64th Filmfare Awards South
Film
64th Filmfare Awards South
Award
Best Director – Tamil
Category
Nominated
Mersal
Mersal
Film
Mersal
Award
Edison Awards 2018
Category
Best Director
Result
Won
65th Filmfare Awards South
65th Filmfare Awards South
Film
65th Filmfare Awards South
Award
Best Director – Tamil
Category
Nominated
7th SIIMA Awards
7th SIIMA Awards
Film
7th SIIMA Awards
Award
Best Director
Category
Won
10th Vijay Awards
10th Vijay Awards
Film
10th Vijay Awards
Award
Favourite Director
Category
Won
Best Dialogue
Best Dialogue
Film
Best Dialogue
Award
Nominated
Film
Award
Category
Result
Ref
Raja Rani
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 2013
Best Dialogue Writer
Won
Edison Awards
Best Debut Director
Won
8th Vijay Awards
Best Debut Director
Won
Best Story, Screenplay Writer
Nominated
Best Dialogue
Nominated
3rd SIIMA Awards
Best Debut Director
Nominated
Theri
2nd IIFA Utsavam
Best Director – Tamil
Won
6th SIIMA Awards
Best Director – Tamil
Won
64th Filmfare Awards South
Best Director – Tamil
Nominated
Mersal
Edison Awards 2018
Best Director
Won
65th Filmfare Awards South
Best Director – Tamil
Nominated
7th SIIMA Awards
Best Director
Won
10th Vijay Awards
Favourite Director
Won
Best Dialogue
Nominated

References

  1. "Atlee announces this wedding date!"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20230907173316/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/atlee-announces-this-wedding-date/articleshow/43135523.cms
  2. Rediff.com
    https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/theri-portrays-a-new-side-to-vijay/20160412.htm
  3. The Times of India
    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Raja-Rani-crosses-50-crore-mark/articleshow/24596359.cms
  4. The Times of India
    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/8th-Annual-Vijay-Awards-a-grand-success/articleshow/37960678.cms
  5. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2016/04/18/indias-vijay-scores-new-personal-record-with-huge-theri-debut/?sh=4c3ef9ee16af
  6. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/robcain/2017/10/24/vijays-mersal-rules-overseas-with-%E2%82%B920-cr-3m-start/?sh=4b4d797345fa
  7. The Times of India
    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
  8. Deccan Chronicle
    https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/230316/sangili-bungili-star-cast-gets-bigger-1.html
  9. The Indian Express
    https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/atlee-andhaghaaram-to-release-on-netflix-6909813/
  10. The Indian Express
    https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/atlee-anirudh-ravichander-express-excitement-about-working-with-shah-rukh-khan-jawan-7951593/
  11. Bollywood Hungama
    https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/jawan/box-office/
  12. Bollywood Hungama
    https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/baby-johns-box-office-clues-weak-marketing-pushpa-2-tsunami-trade-analysts-reveal-varun-dhawans-big-gamble-misfired/
  13. Business Today
    https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/entertainment/story/varun-dhawans-baby-john-a-complete-dud-at-box-office-loses-25k-shows-in-a-week-report-459286-2025-01-02
  14. https://www.filmfare.com/news/south/salman-khan-and-atlees-500-crore-film-put-on-hold-71640.html [bare URL]
    https://www.filmfare.com/news/south/salman-khan-and-atlees-500-crore-film-put-on-hold-71640.html
  15. "Atlee's next is with 'Pushpa' star Allu Arjun, Salman Khan project on hold"
    https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/atlees-next-is-with-pushpa-star-allu-arjun-salman-khan-project-on-hold-3414067
  16. International Business Times
    http://www.ibtimes.co.in/atlee-krishna-priya-marriage-wedding-reception-photos-613477
  17. The Economic Times
    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
  18. India Today
    https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/before-thalapathy-63-the-films-atlee-has-been-accused-of-plagiarising-1504018-2019-04-17
  19. Bollywood Hungama
    https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/agent-ching-attacks-ad-launch-ranveer-singh-enhances-hype-allu-arjun-deepika-padukone-atlees-aa22xa6-atlee-sir-creating-something-never-experienced-indian-cinema/
  20. Cinema Express
    https://www.cinemaexpress.com/telugu/news/2025/Apr/08/allu-arjun-and-atlee-team-up-for-massive-sci-fi-film-announced-by-sun-pictures
  21. India Today
    https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/before-thalapathy-63-the-films-atlee-has-been-accused-of-plagiarising-1504018-2019-04-17
  22. The Indian Express
    https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/opinion-entertainment/vijay-mersal-kamal-haasan-aboorva-sagotharargal-baahubali-thevar-magan-4899620/
  23. Cinema Express
    https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/oct/12/shahrukh-khan-calls-bigil-trailer-as-chak-de-india-on-steroids-14855.html
  24. India Today
    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
  25. The Hindu
    http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/tn-govt-announces-tamil-film-awards-for-six-years/article19273078.ece
  26. IB Times
    http://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-awards-ajiths-arrambam-kamal-haasan-sivakarthikeyan-bag-awards-winners-list-603771
  27. International Business Times
    http://www.ibtimes.co.in/iifa-south-utsavam-awards-2017-here-complete-nomination-list-tamil-movies-719346
  28. "SIIMA 2017 Nomination List – Tamil"
    https://archive.today/20170531085328/http://siima.in/2017/nominations.html
  29. Filmfare
    http://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-south-2017/tamil/nominations
  30. International Business Times
    https://www.ibtimes.co.in/11th-edison-awards-vijays-mersal-wins-big-complete-winners-list-2017-761866
  31. Filmfare
    https://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-for-the-65th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-2018_-28652-1.html
  32. "SIIMA 2018 Nominations: Vijay's Mersal Beats Madhavan And Vijay Sethupathi's Vikram Vedha"
    https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/siima-2018-nominations-vijays-mersal-beats-madhavan-and-vijay-sethupathis-vikram-vedha-1901012
  33. International Business Times
    https://www.ibtimes.co.in/vijay-awards-2018-catch-live-updates-event-photos-complete-winners-list-770862
  34. "The Glitzy Night is Here!"
    http://www.hotstar.com/tv/vijay-awards/4031/the-glitzy-night-is-here/1100005877
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