Prem (director)

{{Short description|Indian film director in Kannada cinema}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = Prem | image = Prem (Kannada film director).jpg | caption = Prem in October 2020 | birth_name = Kiran Kumar | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1976|10|22}} | birth_place = Maddur, Mandya, Karnataka, India | years_active = 1998–present | occupation = Film director, actor, playback singer, lyricist, Film producer | spouse = {{marriage|Rakshita|2007}} | children = 1 | website = {{URL|http://www.prempicttures.com}} | other_names = Jogi Prem }}

'''Kiran Kumar''' (born 22 October 1976),<ref name="zk1"/> known by his screen name '''Prem''', is an Indian film director in Kannada cinema.<ref>{{cite web |title=Birthday Special: Top 5 movies of director Prem |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/birthday-special-top-5-movies-of-director-prem/photostory/66317089.cms?picid=66317208|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Director Prem's next to be a PAN India project, fans grow curious about the film's hero |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/director-prem-announces-his-next-to-reveal-details-soon/articleshow/85188382.cms|language=en}}</ref>

== 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.<ref name="zk1">{{cite video|date=26 December 2015|title=Weekend with Ramesh Season 2 – Episode 1 – December 26, 2015 – Full Episode|url=http://www.zeekannadatv.com/shows/weekend-with-ramesh-season-2/video/weekend-with-ramesh-season-2-episode-1-december-26-2015-full-episode.html|language=kn|publisher=Zee Kannada|access-date=2 January 2016|time=8:30}}</ref> He is married to actress-turned-producer Rakshita on March 9, 2007 and they have a son named Surya.<ref>{{Cite web |title=zeekannadatv.com |url=http://www.zeekannadatv.com/shows/weekend-with-ramesh-season-2/video/weekend-with-ramesh-season-2-episode-1-december-26-2015-full-episode.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250826030859/http://www.zeekannadatv.com/shows/weekend-with-ramesh-season-2/video/weekend-with-ramesh-season-2-episode-1-december-26-2015-full-episode.html |archive-date=2025-08-26 |access-date=2026-05-21 |website=www.zeekannadatv.com |language=de}}</ref>

==Career== Prem started his career as assistant director on the film ''Nishkarsha'' (1993), working with Sunil Kumar Desai, while he was pursuing his pre-university course. Upon completion of the film, he returned to his hometown Mandya to complete the course before returning to Bangalore. He proceeded to work as an associate director with G. K. Mudduraj on ''Rayara Maga'' (1994) and ''Kannamuchchale''; Dorai–Bhagavan; and with A. R. Babu on ''Hello Yama''. Producer Anekal Balaraju offered him an opportunity to direct his first film ''Kariya'' (2003) independently.<ref>{{cite web |title=Promising director |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan112004/enter9.asp |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040113194602/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan112004/enter9.asp |archive-date=13 January 2004 |date=11 January 2004}}</ref>

''Kariya'' was 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 were also widely appreciated. Darshan played a gangster struggling to express his love. The same year, Prem directed the 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 chart busters.

In 2005, Prem came out with his biggest blockbuster film, ''Jogi'', starring Shivarajkumar,{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Jennifer Kotwal and Arundhati Nag in the lead roles. The film made record collections at the box-office. The mother-son sentiment theme was widely applauded and was considered as Shivarajkumar's<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/whenever-prem-and-i-collaborate-he-experiments-on-me-shivarajkumar/articleshow/66215112.cms|title=Whenever prem and I collaborate, he experiments on me: Shivrajkumar|work=The Times of India|access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref> biggest comeback film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/i-follow-shivanna-and-ignore-the-attacks-prem/articleshow/64861187.cms|title=I follow shivanna and ignore the attacks|work=Bangalore Mirror|access-date=5 July 2018}}</ref>

Following three back-to-back super hit films, Prem tried his hand at acting besides directing the film ''Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide'' in 2008. The film's pre-release promotions received much media attention and expectations of the film were high. Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat made her debut in South Indian films with a special appearance. The film was widely popular for its melodious soundtracks.

Prem next directed the film ''Raaj the Showman'' in 2010. It starred Puneeth Rajkumar and Priyanka Kothari. It 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 heavyweights Puneeth Rajkumar and V. Harikrishna.

Prem, for the first time without himself directing, accepted the lead role in the controversial film titled ''Prem Adda'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/director-prem-returns-to-acting/articleshow/66708478.cms|title=Director prem returns to acting|work=The Times of India|access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref> a remake of the Tamil blockbuster hit ''Subramaniapuram'' with music by V. Harikrishna and directed by Mahesh Babu. The film made an average collection in box office. Under his production house Premdreams he produced and acted in the movie ''DK'' in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/may/07/i-appreciate-salman-khans-love-for-south-indian-films-prem-11434.html|title=I appreciate salman khans love for south indian films: prem|publisher=Cinema Express|access-date=7 May 2019}}</ref>

Prem's ''Ek Love Ya'' has been released. The movie stars debutant Raanna and is produced by Rakshita Prem.

His upcoming Pan Indian film, ''KD: The Devil'', starring Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, and Shilpa Shetty is slated for a release in 2025.

==Filmography== {{pending films key}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" ! width="33"|Year ! Film ! width=65 |Director ! width=65 |Actor ! width=65 |Singer ! width=65 |Lyricist |- | 1998 | align="left"| ''Hello Yama'' | |{{yes}} | | |- | rowspan="2" |2003 | align="left"| ''Kariya'' | {{yes}} | | | |- | align="left"| ''Excuse Me'' | {{yes}} | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | 2005 | align="left"| ''Jogi'' | {{yes}} | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | 2007 | align="left"| ''Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide'' | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | 2009 | align="left"| ''Raaj the Showman'' | {{yes}} | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | 2011 | align="left"| ''Jogayya'' | {{yes}} | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- | 2012 | align="left"| ''Prem Adda'' | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |{{yes}} |- | 2013 | align="left"| ''Dasavala'' | |{{yes}} | | |- | 2015 | align="left"| ''DK'' | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} |- |rowspan="2" |2018 | align="left"|''The Villain'' | {{yes}} | |{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |- | align="left"|''Ambi Ning Vayassaytho'' | | | |{{Yes}} |- |2022 | align="left"|''Ek Love Ya'' | {{Yes}} | |{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |- |2026 | align="left"|''KD: The Devil'' |{{Yes}} | |{{Yes}} |{{Yes}} |}

==Discography== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="background:#f5f5f5; width:100%;" |- style="background:#B0C4DE; text-align:center;" ! style="width:3%;"| Year !!style="width:5%;"| Song(s) !!style="width:5%;"| Film !!style="width:4%;"| Composer !!style="width:4%;"| Lyricist !!style="width:10%;"| Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 2003 | "Brahma Vishnu Shiva" | rowspan="2"| ''Excuse Me'' | rowspan="2"| R. P. Patnaik | rowspan="2"| V. Nagendra Prasad | Sang with chorus |- |"Thottilu Thugolige" | Co-sang with Madhukar |- | rowspan="2" | 2005 | "Beduvenu Varavannu" | rowspan="2" | ''Jogi'' | rowspan="2" | Gurukiran | rowspan="5" | Prem | Solo |- |"Hodi Maga" |Co-sang with Gurukiran,Vijay Yesudas and Gururaj Hoskote |- | rowspan="2" | 2007 | "Magalu Doddavaladalu" | rowspan="2" | ''Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide'' | rowspan="2" | R. P. Patnaik | Co-sang with C. Ashwath and Kalpana |- |"Ee Preethi Yeke" |Solo |- | 2008 | "Nalle Nalle" | ''Marujanma'' | Sriimurali | Solo |- | 2009 | "Raajaa Heluvagella" | ''Raaj the Showman'' | V. Harikrishna | Kaviraj | Co-sang with Shreya Ghoshal |- | 2011 | "Odole" | ''Jogayya'' | V. Harikrishna | rowspan="2" | Prem | Co-sang with Shreya Ghoshal |- | 2012 | "Baadigege" | ''Prem Adda'' | V. Harikrishna | Co-sang with Shreya Ghoshal |- | 2013 | "Davva Davva" | ''Jataayu'' | Vinay Chandra | Kaviraj | Solo |- |2014 |"Dooradondu" |''Muddu Manase'' |Vineeth Raj Menon |Santhu |Solo<ref>{{Cite web|title=Muddu Manase (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/muddu-manase-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/996999804}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2015 | "Sesamma" | rowspan="2" | ''DK'' | rowspan="2" | Arjun Janya | Prem | Co-sang with Mamta Sharma<br/> |- |"Banda Banda" | Sudarshan |Solo |- | 2016 | "Alemarriyaagi Aleyo Thirkai" | ''Half Mentlu'' | Bharath BJ | Lakshmi Dinesh | Solo |- | 2017 | "Ee Mannali" | ''Mass Leader'' | Veer Samarth | V. Nagendra Prasad | Co-sang with Chintan Vikas and Govind Kurnool |- | rowspan="4" | 2018 | "Marali Baradorige" | ''Parasanga'' | Harsha Vardhan Raj | N K Lolakshi | Solo |- | "Tick Tick Tick"<br/> | rowspan="3" | ''The Villain''{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} | rowspan="3" | Arjun Janya | rowspan="3" | Prem | Co-sang with Kailash Kher, Vijay Prakash, and Siddharth Basrur |- |"Love Aagoythe" |Solo |- |"Rana Rana Raavana" |Co-sang with Shreya Ghoshal |- | rowspan="2" | 2019 | "Panchatantra" |''Panchatantra'' | V. Harikrishna | Yogaraj Bhat | Solo |- | "Amma Amma Ammaa" |''Sinnga''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/feb/16/prem-sings-sentiment-track-for-singha-10136.html|title=Prem sings sentimental song for Singha|publisher=Cinema Express|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref> | Dharma Vish | V. Nagendra Prasad | Solo |- | 2020 | "Belakondu" | ''Naanu Matthu Gunda'' | Karthik Sharma | Rohith Raman | Solo |- | rowspan="2" | 2021 | "Helu Yaake" | rowspan="2" | ''Ek Love Ya'' | rowspan="2" | Arjun Janya | Prem | Solo |- | "Edebaditha Joragide" | Manjunath BS | Co-sang with Anuradha Bhat |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | "O Ramayya" | ''Kandhidi Nodana'' | Sreedar Kashyap | Ravipoojar | Solo |- | "Geleya Title Track" | ''Geleya'' | MS Thyagaraj | MS Thyagaraj | Solo |- | 2023 | "Amma Emba Hesare" | ''Parimala D'Souza'' | Christopher Jayson B | K. Kalyan | Solo |- | 2025 | "Siddayya Swamy Banni" | ''45'' | Arjun Janya | Kraanthi Kumar | Solo |- | rowspan="2" | 2026 | "Shiva Shiva" | rowspan="2" | ''KD: The Devil'' | rowspan="2" | Arjun Janya | rowspan="2" | Manjunath BS | Co-sang with Kailash Kher |- | "Annthamma Jodetthu Kano" | Solo |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb name|nm4628502}}

{{Prem (director)}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Prem (Kiran)}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:Kannada film directors Category:Male actors in Kannada cinema Category:Kannada-language playback singers Category:Kannada-language lyricists Category:People from Mandya district Category:21st-century Indian people Category:Film directors from Bengaluru Category:Indian male playback singers Category:Singers from Bengaluru Category:Male actors from Bengaluru Category:Indian male film actors