Sekhar Kammula (born 4 February 1972) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer who works in Telugu cinema.[3][4] He has garnered two Filmfare Awards South, and six state Nandi Awards for his directional works.[5] Sekhar Kammula was among the director's delegation to represent South Indian Cinema at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.[6]
Sekhar Kammula | |
|---|---|
 Kammula in 2017 | |
| Born | 4 February 1972[1][2] Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Alma mater | Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (B.Tech) Rutgers University (M.S) Howard University (M.F.A) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Spouse | Sri Vidya |
| Awards | National Film Award |
| Website | www |
A Master of Science and Master of Fine Arts holder from Rutgers University and Howard University respectively, Sekhar Kammula made his directorial debut with the independent film Dollar Dreams (2000), which won him the National Film Award for Best First film of a director. The film was also screened at the International Film Festival of India.[7] Kammula went onto direct critically and commercially successful Telugu films Anand (2004), Godavari (2006), Happy Days (2007), Leader (2010), Fidaa (2017), and Love Story (2021).
Early life and education
editSekhar Kammula was born in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh and brought up in Hyderabad, Telangana.[8] He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology, and completed his Masters M.S from Rutgers University in Computer Science in the U.S. He worked in the IT industry for about 3 years and then joined a film school and got his M.F.A (Film) degree at Howard University, Washington D.C. During this time he worked on a number of films (short and feature length) in the U.S.[9]
Film career
editKammula made his film directorial debut with the independent film Dollar Dreams (2000), shot in both Telugu and English which was a critical success, and won him the National Film Award for Best First film of a director. The film was screened at the International Film Festival of India.[7]
His second film, Anand (2004) was a commercial success and was among highest grossing Telugu films of that year.[10] His next film, Godavari, was praised by critics and was a commercial success.[citation needed]
In 2007, his directed Happy Days which depicted the regular college life of engineering students. The film was very successful, especially among the urban youth of then Andhra Pradesh.[11] The film was later remade in Tamil and Kannada languages. He then directed political film Leader which released in 2010 to positive reviews. Rediff.com noted that "If anything, the film is a wish-list of what one would like to see in the arena of politics, which Sekhar should be lauded for even trying."[12]
In 2012, Kammula written, produced and directed Life Is Beautiful, his first production venture. The film had a positive reception from critics and audience.[citation needed] Firstpost called the film a revamped version of Happy Days (2007) and noted similarities between the characters written by Kammula in both the films.[13] Later in 2014, he directed Anaamika, a Telugu remake of 2012 Hindi film Kahaani in which Nayantara played Vidya Balan's character.
In 2017, his romantic comedy film Fidaa, starring Varun Tej and Sai Pallavi, grossed over ₹90 crore worldwide at the box office.[14] In 2021, Kammula's Telugu film, Love Story, starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi was released to mostly positive reviews.[15]
In 2024, film DNS, directed by Kammula, has started filming and features Tamil star Dhanush in the lead role.[16]
Film directorial style
editSekhar Kammula’s films often focuses on the relationship between men and women in their routine life circumstances filled with both happiness and hardships. Sankeertana Varma of Film Companion calls film portrayal of his female characters as somewhat "special." She writes that they aren't particular "strong women" but they are real. Varma adds that though his female characters display their egos and throw tantrums, they are unbreakable and refuse to fit in the typical societal norms expected from a normal woman.[17] Kammula has also appreciated the work of other directors including the recent Telugu hit Vaarasudu.[18]
Filmography
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| Year | Film | Language | Credited as | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Writer | Producer | ||||
| 2000 | Dollar Dreams | Telugu English |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Directorial debut |
| 2004 | Anand | Telugu | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also choreographer |
| 2006 | Godavari | Telugu | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2007 | Happy Days | Telugu | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also choreographer |
| 2008 | Avakai Biryani | Telugu | No | No | Yes | |
| 2010 | Leader | Telugu | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2012 | Life Is Beautiful | Telugu | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2014 | Anaamika | Telugu Tamil |
Yes | Screenplay | No | Released in Tamil as Nee Enge En Anbe |
| 2017 | Fidaa | Telugu | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2021 | Love Story | Telugu | Yes | Yes | No | |
| TBA | Kubera † | Tamil Telugu Hindi |
Yes | Yes | No | Filming [19][20] |
- Cameo appearances
- Dollar Dreams (2000) as a co-passenger to Srinu.
- Anand (2004) as Auto driver[21]
- Godavari (2006) as Kotigadu, a stray dog (voice role)[22]
- Avakai Biryani (2008) as Hotel Customer
- Mukunda (2014) as Bus traveller[21]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Awards | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | National Film Awards | Best Debut Film of a Director | Dollar Dreams | Won |
| 2004 | Nandi Awards | Best Director | Anand | Won |
| Second Best Film | Won | |||
| 2005 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Film | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Nominated | |||
| 2006 | Nandi Awards | Best Director | Godavari | Won |
| Second Best Film | Won | |||
| 2006 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Director | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Nandi Awards | Best Film - Silver | Happy Days | Won |
| 2008 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Film | Won | |
| Best Director | Won | |||
| 2008 | CineMAA Awards | Best Film | Won | |
| Best Director | Won | |||
| Best Story | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Won | |||
| 2009 | Nandi Awards | Best Story Writer | Leader | Won |
| 2010 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Film | Nominated | |
| Best Director | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Film | Fidaa | Nominated |
| Best Director | Nominated | |||
| 2018 | Zee Cine Awards Telugu[23] | Best Director | Won |
References
edit- ^ Hymavathi, Ravali (4 February 2020). "Happy Birthday Shekar Kammula: First Look Poster Of NC20". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Priceless Gesture! GHMC sanitation workers show their gratitude towards Sekhar Kammula". The Times of India. 13 May 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ Sangeetha Devi Dundoo (12 August 2012). "Life & Style : Return to innocence". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ "Sekhar Kammula supports Samantha". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Kammula". Archived from the original on 15 January 2011. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Prashanth Bhat (12 May 2011). "Sekhar Kammula at Cannes". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ a b "47th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ^ Ali, Sekhar Kammula (12 April 2021). Alitho Saradaga | Sekhar Kammula (Director) | 12th April 2021 | Full Episode | ETV Telugu. ETV Telugu. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Telugu Cinema interview - Sekhar Kammula - Telugu film director". idlebrain.com. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ "Year 2004 — a flashback". The Hindu. 31 December 2004. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ Ganeshan, Balakrishna (23 May 2020). "'Happy Days': Revisiting a Telugu film that depicted something close to college life". The News Minute. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ Rajamani, Radhika. "Review: Leader comes at the right time". Rediff. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "'Life Is Beautiful' - 2012 version of 'Happy Days' (Telugu Movie Review)". Firstpost. 15 September 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ Hooli, Shekhar H. (17 December 2017). "Tollywood in 2017: 15 highest grossing Telugu movies of the year - Baahubali 2, Khaidi No 150, JLK, DJ and others". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ "Sekhar Kammula resumes filming 'Love Story'". The Hindu. 7 September 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ^ Sistu, Suhas (1 February 2024). "Nagarjuna to play a grey shaded role in 'DNS!'". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ Varma, Sankeertana (16 September 2021). "What Makes Sekhar Kammula Unique In Telugu Cinema". Film Companion.
- ^ "Sekhar Kammula watched and much appreciated the recent Telugu hit Vijay's Vaarasudu high on emotions". The Times of India. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ "Latest: Rashmika Mandanna to romance Dhanush in D 51". 123telugu.com. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Arikatla, Venkat (14 August 2023). "Dhanush's 51: First, Yet Crazy Combo". greatandhra.com. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Shekar Kammula's cameo in Varun's Mukunda?". The Times of India. 17 January 2017.
- ^ "Postmortem - Godavari by Sekhar Kammula". Idlebrain.com.
- ^ Hooli, Shekhar H. (1 January 2018). "Zee Telugu Golden Awards 2017 winners list and photos". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 15 June 2020.