Suni (director)

{{Short description|Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, lyricist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = Suni | image = Simple Suni.jpg | caption = Suni in 2014 | birth_name =  | birth_date =  | birth_place =  | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = Simple Suni | years_active = 2008–present | occupation = {{hlist|Film director|producer|screenwriter|lyricist}} | spouse = {{marriage|Soundarya Gowda|2017}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/ill-plan-my-wifes-next-birthday-at-wonder-la-says-director-simple-suni-in-a-funny-birthday-note/articleshow/82327149.cms|title="I'll plan my wife's next birthday at Wonder La," says director Simple Suni in a funny birthday note|newspaper=The Times of India|date=30 April 2021}}</ref> | children =  }} '''Sunil Kumar''' known by his screen name '''Simple''' '''Suni''', is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and lyricist who works in Kannada cinema. He made his debut with the critically and commercially successful 2013 film ''Simple Agi Ondh Love Story''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ashoka M. K.|title=From soppu to Sandalwood|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-from-soppu-to-sandalwood-1814616|newspaper=Daily News and Analysis|date=23 March 2013|access-date=11 July 2015}}</ref>

== Career == === As director === Suni kick started his career with ''Janumada Gelathi'', where he worked as an assistant director under Dinesh Baboo. Simultaneously working for ''Januma Janumadallu'', under Prema, he later went on to become an associate director for Dinesh Baboo in ''School Master'' and other films. Subsequently, focus shifted to a few short films, but when he decided to go independent, what came his way was ''Simple Agi Ondh Love Story''. When producers expected him to cut down budgets with each script, a few friends Pawan Sagar and Suni decided to go independent and invested their own money and made ''Simple Agi Ondh Love Story'' on a budget of approximately {{INR}}30 to 40 lakhs.

He went on to produce the movie ''Ulidavaru Kandanthe''. However, after its dismal performance at the box office, he returned to directing with ''Bahuparak''. It was again in 2017 that he directed ''Operation Alamelamma'' starring debutant Rishi and Shraddha Srinath.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Operation Alamelamma Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/operation-alamelamma/movie-review/59693532.cms |access-date=2024-01-17 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> His next was with Ganesh and Rashmika Mandanna titled ''Chamak'' which was an instant hit among audience for its quirky take on modern relationships.<ref>{{Cite news |title=ChamakUA |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-details/chamak/movieshow/61933137.cms |access-date=2024-01-17 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

He then introduced Dhanveer Gowda in ''Bazaar'' which was a decent hit at the box office. He once again teamed with Ganesh for ''Sakath'' which was also a decent hit at the box office.

He then collaborated with Sharan and Ashika Ranganath for ''Avatara Purusha'' to be released in two parts under Pushkar Films banner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharadhaa |first=A. |date=2022-05-02 |title='Avatara Purusha will be a refreshing change for the audience' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2022/May/02/avatara-purusha-will-be-a-refreshing-change-for-the-audience-2448643.html |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Made under a considerably huge budget the movie opened to positive reviews but did not fetch the desired results at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sharan's Avatara Purusha 2 not shelved; in post-production, says director Suni |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/sharans-avatara-purusha-2-not-shelved-in-post-production-says-director-suni/a450126ed9596 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> With a small setback on the release of the Second installment of Avatara Purusha, he announced a couple of movies over the months, starting with ''Robinhood'' starring debutant Dushyanth which was later halted and Introduced Dushyanth with another movie ''Gathavaibhava'' alongside Ashika Rangnath.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ashika Ranganath to romance newbie Dushyanth in Suni's next, Gatha Vaibhava |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/ashika-ranganath-to-romance-newbie-dushyanth-in-sunis-next-gatha-vaibhava/a333053512118 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2022-02-08 |title=Suni puts Robin hood on hold, opts to do a fun film with debutant Dushyanth |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2022/Feb/08/suni-puts-robin-hood-on-hold-opts-to-do-a-fun-film-with-debutantdushyanth-2416554.html |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Then he announced ''Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe'' with Vinay Rajkumar, Mallika Singh and Swathishta, with the latter two making Kannada Debut.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RadhaKrishn fame Mallika Singh is a Kashmiri in her Kannada film debut, Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/radhakrishn-fame-mallika-singh-is-a-kashmiri-in-her-kannada-film-debut-ondu-sarala-prema-kathe/88e09b3d3b837 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> OSPK opened to positive reviews and was a commercially successful venture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kodur |first=Swaroop |date=2024-02-09 |title=Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe review: A fun, light-hearted entertainer |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/ondu-sarala-prema-kathe-review-a-fun-light-hearted-entertainer |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe review: Suni serves largely delightful fun watch rom-com |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/ondu-sarala-prema-kathe-review-suni-serves-a-largely-delightful-rom-com-that-makes-for-a-fun-watch/a83e292f79510 |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> He had his next release ''Avatara Purusha Part 2'' within 2 months of his previous release and received mixed reviews at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharadhaa |first=A. |date=2024-04-06 |title=Movie review: 'Avatara Purusha 2' leaves you stranded in the world of trishanku, wanting more |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2024/Apr/06/movie-review-avatara-purusha-2-leaves-you-stranded-in-the-world-of-trishanku-wanting-more |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=Avatara Purusha 2 Review: This Black Magic Drama Fails To Cast A Spell! |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/kannada/avatara-purusha-2-review-this-black-magic-drama-fails-to-cast-a-spell-review-109052461 |access-date=2024-04-11 |website=TimesNow |language=en}}</ref>

His next release in 2025 was the fantasy epic drama film, ''Gatha Vaibhava'' starring debutant Dushyanth and Ashika Ranganath. He is also yet to start ''The Story of Raygada'' which is one of his most awaited work and marks his third collaboration with Ganesh.

== Filmography == {{Pending films key}}

===As a film director=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of Suni credits as a director |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! class="unsortable" scope="col" | Notes ! scope="col" | {{refh}} |- | 2013 || ''Simple Agi Ondh Love Story'' || Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} || |- |2014 |''Bahuparak'' || || |- | 2016 || ''Simpallag Innondh Love Story'' || || |- | rowspan="2" | 2017 || ''Operation Alamelamma''|| || |- |''Chamak''||Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Director – Kannada{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} || |- | rowspan="1" |2019 | ''Bazaar'' | | |- |2021 |''Sakath'' || || |- |2022 |''Avatara Purusha''|| || <ref>{{cite news |title=Sharan-Suni's Avatara Purusha release date announced |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2021/nov/04/sharan-sunisavatara-purusha-release-date-announced-27648.html |access-date=21 November 2021 |work=Cinema Express |date=4 November 2021 |language=en |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104111653/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2021/nov/04/sharan-sunisavatara-purusha-release-date-announced-27648.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2024 |''Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2024-01-04 |title=Suni's Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe locks release date |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2024/Jan/04/sunis-ondu-sarala-prema-kathe-locks-release-date-2647599.html |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> |- |''Avatara Purusha 2'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sharan's Avatara Purusha 2 not shelved; in post-production, says director Suni |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/sharans-avatara-purusha-2-not-shelved-in-post-production-says-director-suni/a450126ed9596 |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> |- |2025 |''Gatha Vaibhava'' | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-14 |title=On His 35th Birthday, Simple Suni Chooses Shooting Over Celebrations |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/on-his-35th-birthday-simple-suni-chooses-shooting-over-celebrations-6166291.html |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> |- |2026 |{{pending film|Moda Kavida Vathavarana}} |Filming |<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A. |title=Simple Suni's next, Moda Kavida Vathavarana, locks release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2026/Mar/29/simple-sunis-next-moda-kavida-vathavarana-locks-release-date |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=Cinema Express |date=29 March 2026 |language=en}}</ref> |- |{{TBA}} |{{pending film|Devaru Ruju Madidanu}} |Delayed |<ref>{{cite news |title=Suni introduces Keerthi Krishna and Divita Rai in Veeraaj starrer Devaru Ruju Madidanu |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2024/Oct/19/suni-introduces-keerthi-krishna-and-divita-rai-in-veeraaj-starrer-devaru-ruju-madidanu |access-date=30 December 2025 |work=The New Indian Express |date=19 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref> |- |{{TBA}} | {{pending film|The Story of Raygada}}|| Delayed || <ref>{{cite news |title=Director Suni's third film with Ganesh, The Story of Rayagada, to go on floors in November |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/director-sunis-third-film-with-ganesh-the-story-of-rayagada-to-go-on-floors-in-november/e6af1fbe3a123 |access-date=30 December 2025 |work=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref> |}

=== Other crew positions ===

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of Suni other credits |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Producer ! scope="col" | Writer ! class="unsortable" scope="col" | Notes |- | 2014 || ''Ulidavaru Kandanthe''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada{{Citation needed|date=April 2023}} |- | rowspan="2" |2017 |''Chowka'' || {{no}} ||{{partial|Dialogues}}|| |- |''Happy New Year''|| {{no}} ||{{partial|Dialogues}}|| |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == *{{IMDb name|5756213}}

Category:Kannada film directors Category:Living people Category:Kannada-language lyricists Category:Indian male songwriters Category:Indian songwriters Category:Musicians from Bengaluru Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:Film directors from Bengaluru Category:21st-century Indian composers Category:Film producers from Bengaluru Category:Screenwriters from Bengaluru Category:Kannada screenwriters Category:21st-century Indian male musicians