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{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = Prabhu Solomon
| image      = Prabhu Solomon At ‘Kadugu’ Movie Premiere.jpg
| image              = Prabhu Solomon At ‘Kadugu’ Movie Premiere.jpg
| caption    = Prabhu At ‘Kadugu’ Movie Premiere
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1969|05|07}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1969|05|07}}
| birth_place       = [[Neyveli]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| birth_place = [[Neyveli]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| occupation         = [[film director|Director]], [[Film producer|Producer]]
| occupation = [[film director|Director]], [[Film producer|Producer]]
| nationality        = Indian
| yearsactive = 1991–present
| yearsactive       = 1991–present
| spouse     = Punitha<ref name="family">{{cite av media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EnG-y1aT-k |title=ADDRESS – MEET THE FAMILY OF FILMMAKER PRABHU SOLOMON |date=17 January 2015 |last=Friday Cinemaa WebTV |time=7:17 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/7EnG-y1aT-k |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| spouse             = Punitha<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EnG-y1aT-k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/7EnG-y1aT-k |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=ADDRESS - MEET THE FAMILY OF FILMMAKER PRABHU SOLOMON|first=Mentions his wife and children name at 7:17|last=Friday Cinemaa WebTV|date=17 January 2015|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| children   = 2<ref name="family" />
| children           = Samuel Sanjay<br> Hazel Shiny
}}
}}


'''Prabhu Solomon''' (born 7 May 1969) is an Indian film director who has primarily worked on [[Tamil film]]s. After making his debut in 1999, he had a middling career before rising to prominence with the success of the romantic tragedy film ''[[Mynaa]]'' (2010).
'''Prabhu Solomon''' (born 7 May 1969) is an Indian film director and screenwriter who has primarily worked on [[Tamil film]]s. After making his directorial debut in 1999 with ''[[Kannodu Kanbathellam]]'', he had a middling career before rising to prominence with the success of ''[[Mynaa]]'' (2010).


==Career==
==Career==
===Early career: 1991-2009===
Solomon hails from [[Neyveli]] in [[Cuddalore district]] [[Tamil Nadu]], He was a regular at the town's only cinema hall, which fostered his passion for films. He attended [[St. Paul's Matriculation Higher Secondary School]], after which he completed a master's degree in English literature, before relocating to Chennai. His career in the film industry started in 1991 and for three years, he looked for opportunities to become in involved in ongoing film projects.<ref name="ss">{{cite web|url=http://silverscreen.in/features/prabhu-solomon-interview-the-perfect-wave/|title=Prabhu Solomon Interview: The Perfect Wave|work=Silverscreen|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223170359/http://silverscreen.in/features/prabhu-solomon-interview-the-perfect-wave/|archive-date=December 23, 2014}}</ref> He first worked as a stunt double for [[Sarathkumar]] in ''[[Namma Annachi]]'' (1994), where he also met director [[Sundar C]], who was working as the associate director of the film. He consequently joined Sundar's film ''[[Murai Maman]]'' (1995) as an assistant director, before subsequently working with [[Agathiyan]] on the award-winning ''[[Kadhal Kottai]]'' (1996).<ref name="ss"/>


===Early career: 1991-2009===
Anbalaya Films offered him an opportunity to direct a film for their production house, after he had helped them complete post-production ''[[Murai Mappillai]]'' (1995) when director [[Sundar C]] walked out. Solomon chose to feature [[Raghuvaran]] and [[Bhanupriya]] in the leading roles, though the producers Anabalaya Films were reluctant to cast a character artiste in the lead role for the film, ''[[Kannodu Kanbathellam]]'' (1999). Prabhu revealed he met [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]] in Thenkasi during the making of ''[[Mudhalvan]]'' (1999), at the insistence of his producer and actively tried to make a poor impression. Arjun, nonetheless, was keen and worked on the film.<ref name="ss"/> Co-starring [[Sonali Bendre]] and [[Suchindra Bali|Suchindra]], the film was released to positive reviews. A romantic thriller featuring Arjun in a different role to his usual action ventures, the film however did well at the box office and became successful at the box office. Similarly his second venture, the Kannada film ''[[Usire (film)|Usire]]'' (2001), a remake of [[Cheran (director)|Cheran]]'s ''[[Bharathi Kannamma]]'', did not perform as expected commercially.<ref name="ss"/> Solomon had wanted [[Shiva Rajkumar]] to play the lead role, and he lamented that miscasting [[Ravichandran (Kannada actor)|Ravichandran]] in the leading role instead, worked against the viability of the film. Solomon had signed on [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] to play the lead role in a project shortly after the success of ''[[Sethu (film)|Sethu]]'' (1999) and wanted to work on a different script, but the actor insisted that the pair a film from the director's script titled ''[[King (2002 film)|King]]'' (2002). Solomon revealed that he was unconvinced about Vikram portraying the lead role, feeling that he was too old to play [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]]'s son, but the actor insisted the project went ahead. Delays in the production in the film meant that Vikram's star image had risen and reviewers labelled the film as a disappointment upon release. The director noted that the story was written with the expectation of a small-time actor in the lead role, and hence Vikram's sudden popularity worked against his film. He revealed that his early career in film involved making significant compromises and was strictly against the type of cinema he had actually ventured to make.<ref name="ss"/> He made the films ''[[Kokki (film)|Kokki]]'' (2006), ''[[Lee (2007 film)|Lee]]'' (2007), and ''[[Laadam]]'' (2009). ''Kokki'' had a successful run, but ''Lee'' and ''Laadam'' received mixed reviews.
Solomon hails from [[Neyveli]], [[Tamil Nadu]] and was a regular at the town's only cinema hall, which fostered his passion for films. He attended [[St. Paul's Matriculation Higher Secondary School]], after which he completed a master's degree in English literature, before relocating to Chennai. His career in the film industry started in 1991 and for three years, he looked for opportunities to become in involved in ongoing film projects.<ref name="ss">{{cite web |url=http://silverscreen.in/features/prabhu-solomon-interview-the-perfect-wave/ |title=Prabhu Solomon Interview: The Perfect Wave |work=Silverscreen |access-date=2014-12-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223170359/http://silverscreen.in/features/prabhu-solomon-interview-the-perfect-wave/ |archive-date=2014-12-23 }}</ref> He first worked as a stunt double for [[Sarathkumar]] in ''[[Namma Annachi]]'' (1994), where he also met director [[Sundar C]], who was working as the associate director of the film. He consequently joined Sundar's film ''[[Murai Maman]]'' (1995) as an assistant director, before subsequently working with [[Agathiyan]] on the award-winning ''[[Kadhal Kottai]]'' (1996).<ref name="ss"/>


Anbalaya Films offered him an opportunity to direct a film for their production house, after he had helped them complete post-production ''[[Murai Mappillai]]'' (1995) when director [[Sundar C]] walked out. Solomon chose to feature [[Raghuvaran]] and [[Bhanupriya]] in the leading roles, though the producers Anabalaya Films were reluctant to cast a character artiste in the lead role for the film, ''[[Kannodu Kanbathellam]]'' (1999). Prabhu revealed he met [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]] in Thenkasi during the making of ''[[Mudhalvan]]'' (1999), at the insistence of his producer and actively tried to make a poor impression. Arjun, nonetheless, was keen and worked on the film.<ref name="ss"/> Co-starring [[Sonali Bendre]] and [[Suchindra Bali|Suchindra]], the film was released to positive reviews. A romantic thriller featuring Arjun in a different role to his usual action ventures, the film however did well at the box office and became successful at the box office. Similarly his second venture, the Kannada film ''[[Usire (film)|Usire]]'' (2001), a remake of [[Cheran (director)|Cheran]]'s ''[[Bharathi Kannamma]]'', did not perform as expected commercially.<ref name="ss"/> Solomon had wanted [[Shiva Rajkumar]] to play the lead role, and he lamented that miscasting [[V. Ravichandran|Ravichandran]] in the leading role instead, worked against the viability of the film. Solomon had signed on [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] to play the lead role in a project shortly after the success of ''[[Sethu (film)|Sethu]]'' (1999) and wanted to work on a different script, but the actor insisted that the pair a film from the director's script titled ''[[King (2002 film)|King]]'' (2002). Solomon revealed that he was unconvinced about Vikram portraying the lead role, feeling that he was too old to play [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]]'s son, but the actor insisted the project went ahead. Delays in the production in the film, meant that Vikram's star image had risen and reviewers labelled the film as a disappointment upon release. The director noted that the story was written with the expectation of a small-time actor in the lead role, and hence Vikram's sudden popularity worked against his film. He revealed that his early career in film involved making significant compromises and was strictly against the type of cinema he had actually ventured to make.<ref name="ss"/>
===''Mynaa'' and resulting success: 2010-2017===
It was with ''[[Mynaa]]'' that Solomon achieved his first breakthrough, a romance film set against the backdrop of [[Kurangani]] Theni district, Tamil Nadu. ''Mynaa'' opened to be a critically and commercially successful venture in the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-prabhu-solomon/20110701.htm|title=I never thought I was making Mynaa any differently|publisher=Rediff|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>


===''Mynaa'' and resulting success: 2010-present===
After ''Mynaa'', Solomon assigned his next film ''[[Kumki (film)|Kumki]]'' to director [[N. Lingusamy]], which also marks the debut of [[Vikram Prabhu]], the son of actor [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]] and the grandson of actor [[Sivaji Ganesan]]. Like his previous film, ''Kumki'' was also a huge success in box office. [[D. Imman]]'s music and [[M. Sukumar]]'s cinematography contributed to the film's success.


It was during "Mynaa" that Solomon Met his first break through, A romance flick set at the back drop of [[Kurangani]] Theni district Tamil Nadu. Mynaa opened for major critically and commercially successful venture in box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-prabhu-solomon/20110701.htm|title=I never thought I was making Mynaa any differently|publisher=Rediff|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>
Following the success of ''Kumki'', Solomon took a break and went on a [[Recce (filmmaking)|recce]] to the coastal South Indian town of [[Nagapattinam]] to get inspired for a story set on the backdrop of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]]. He gathered real-life stories of survival and intertwined them into his script.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/interview-with-prabhu-solomon/article6602904.ece|title=The travelling showman|first=Vishal|last=Menon|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 November 2014|access-date=12 April 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Subsequently, he launched his next production ''[[Kayal (film)|Kayal]]'' with newcomers [[Chandran]] and [[Anandhi (actress)|Anandhi]] in the title roles, and shot for the film for a year. Scenes were shot for several days underwater, with the team often doing up to ten hours a day in knee-length depths of water.<ref name="hindu"/> The film completed shoot after 85 days in May 2014, with the director announcing that post-production would be extensive as a result of impending VFX works.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://silverscreen.in/tamil/news/kayal-post-production/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306232441/http://silverscreen.in/tamil/news/kayal-post-production/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 March 2016|title=Kayal in Post-production|date=31 July 2014|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/celluloid-tribute-to-tsunami-victims/article6421448.ece|title=Celluloid tribute to tsunami victims|author=Staff Reporter|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 September 2014|access-date=12 April 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> During the music release of the film in November 2014, Solomon revealed more details about the production of the film, noting that the climax was shot first to ensure graphic works depicting the tsunami could have as much time spent on it as possible. He went on to add that it was his costliest production till date and the film was made at a cost of {{INR}}15 crore, with the special effects, notably the use of 7.1 Atmos mix for the climax, which was particularly expensive.<ref name="Kayal Budget">{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/prabhu-solomon-opens-up-on-kayal-news-tamil-olnlHViggdhae.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113132025/http://www.sify.com/movies/prabhu-solomon-opens-up-on-kayal-news-tamil-olnlHViggdhae.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2014|title=Prabhu Solomon opens up on 'Kayal'|work=Sify|date= 13 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/movies/hindi/prabhu-solomon-s-kayal-to-release-in-dolby-atmos-launches-its-music-in-chennai-141113|title=Prabhu Solomon's 'Kayal' to release in Dolby Atmos, launches its music in Chennai|date=13 November 2014|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref> ''Kayal'', like ''Mynaa'' and ''Kumki'', released to critical acclaim and positive reviews.


Post "Mynaa" Solomon signed his next film "Kumki" to director N. Linguswamy, which also marks a debut of Vikram Prabhu son of actor Prabhu and Grand son of Actor Sivaji Ganesan. Like his previous venture "Kumki" is also a huge success in box office. D. Imman's Music and Sugumaran's cinematography plays major contribution for the film's success.
In 2016, Solomon released ''[[Thodari]]'', starring [[Dhanush]]. Good performances and an interesting screenplay with plenty of fun moments made Solomon's a decent attempt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-thodari-is-a-decent-attempt/20160922.htm|title=Review: Thodari is a decent attempt}}</ref> Solomon produced the film ''[[Rupai (film)|Rubaai]]'' (2017) under the banner God Pictures. The film was titled as ''Faisal''. After they had wrapped up the first schedule, the film had the title change.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.2daycinema.com/moviereview-id-rubaai---movie--review298.htm|title = Rubaai - Movie Review}}</ref>


Following the success of ''[[Kumki (film)|Kumki]]'', Solomon took a break and went on a [[Recce (filmmaking)|recce]] to the coastal South Indian town of [[Nagapattinam]] to get inspired for a story set on the backdrop of the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]]. He gathered real-life stories of survival and intertwined them into his script.<ref name="hindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/interview-with-prabhu-solomon/article6602904.ece|title=The travelling showman|first=Vishal|last=Menon|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 November 2014|access-date=12 April 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Subsequently, he launched his next production ''[[Kayal (film)|Kayal]]'' with newcomers [[Chandran]] and [[Anandhi]] in the title roles, and shot for the film for a year. Scenes were shot for several days underwater, with the team often doing up to ten hours a day in knee-length depths of water.<ref name="hindu"/> The film completed shoot after 85 days in May 2014, with the director announcing that post-production would be extensive as a result of impending VFX works.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://silverscreen.in/tamil/news/kayal-post-production/|title=Kayal in Post-production|date=31 July 2014|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/celluloid-tribute-to-tsunami-victims/article6421448.ece|title=Celluloid tribute to tsunami victims|author=Staff Reporter|newspaper=The Hindu|date=18 September 2014|access-date=12 April 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> During the music release of the film in November 2014, Solomon revealed more details about the production of the film, noting that the climax was shot first to ensure graphic works depicting the tsunami could have as much time spent on it as possible. He went on to add that it was his costliest production till date and the film was made at a cost of {{INR}}15 crore, with the special effects, notably the use of 7.1 Atmos mix for the climax, which was particularly expensive.<ref name="Kayal Budget">{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/prabhu-solomon-opens-up-on-kayal-news-tamil-olnlHViggdhae.html|title=Prabhu Solomon opens up on 'Kayal'|work=Sify|date= 13 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/movies/hindi/prabhu-solomon-s-kayal-to-release-in-dolby-atmos-launches-its-music-in-chennai-141113|title=Prabhu Solomon's 'Kayal' to release in Dolby Atmos, launches its music in Chennai|date=13 November 2014|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>
===2021-present===


In 2016, ''[[Thodari]]'', with good performances and an interesting screenplay with plenty of fun moments make Solomon's a decent attempt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-thodari-is-a-decent-attempt/20160922.htm|title=Review: Thodari is a decent attempt}}</ref>  Solomon produced the film ''[[Rupai (film)|Rubaai]]'' (2017) under the banner God Pictures. The film was titled as ''Faisal''. After they had wrapped up the first schedule, the film had the title change.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.2daycinema.com/moviereview-id-rubaai---movie--review298.htm|title = Rubaai - Movie Review}}</ref> 5 years after the 2016 flick ''Thodari'' starring [[Dhanush]], Solomon is back with ''[[Kaadan]]'' (2021), a movie set in a territory familiar to him - revolving around elephants and protecting forests. According to Indiaglitz, ''Kaadan'', for a Tamil film, presents North Indian police officers and has a lot of North sensibilities which make audience feel an instant disconnect as well. All said, Prabu Solomon's ''Kaadan'' has set its intention right and is a noteworthy venture for its important social message.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/kaadan-review-tamil-movie-23101|title = Kaadan review. Kaadan Tamil movie review, story, rating}}</ref> He is next directing a film, titled ''Sembi'' for [[Trident Arts]] productions.<ref >{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kovai-sarala-turns-serious-for-prabu-solomons-road-movie/articleshow/91677752.cms|title= Kovai Sarala turns serious for Prabu Solomon’s road movie|website=The Timesofindia.com|date=19 May 2022}}</ref> Touted to be an intense social drama, set against the backdrop for [[Kodaikanal]], [[Ashwin Kumar Lakshmikanthan]] plays the lead in the film alongside actors [[Kovai Sarala]] and [[Thambi Ramaiah]].<ref name="PS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ashwin-kumar-teams-up-with-prabu-solomon-for-an-intense-social-drama/articleshow/86292983.cms|title= Ashwin Kumar teams up with Prabu Solomon for an intense social drama|website= Timesofindia.com|date=18 September 2021}}</ref>
In 2021, Solomon directed ''[[Kaadan]]'', a film set in a territory familiar to him - revolving around elephants and protecting forests. According to Indiaglitz, ''Kaadan'', for a Tamil film, presents North Indian police officers and has a lot of North sensibilities which make audience feel an instant disconnect as well. All said, Prabhu Solomon's ''Kaadan'' has set its intention right and is a noteworthy venture for its important social message, but the film received mixed reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/kaadan-review-tamil-movie-23101|title = Kaadan review. Kaadan Tamil movie review, story, rating}}</ref> His 2022 film ''[[Sembi]]'', produced by [[Trident Arts]] productions,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kovai-sarala-turns-serious-for-prabu-solomons-road-movie/articleshow/91677752.cms|title= Kovai Sarala turns serious for Prabu Solomon's road movie|website=The Timesofindia.com|date=19 May 2022}}</ref> on the other hand, received highly positive reviews. Touted to be an intense social drama, set against the backdrop for [[Kodaikanal]], [[Ashwin Kumar Lakshmikanthan]] plays the lead in the film alongside actors [[Kovai Sarala]] and [[Thambi Ramaiah]].<ref name="PS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ashwin-kumar-teams-up-with-prabu-solomon-for-an-intense-social-drama/articleshow/86292983.cms|title= Ashwin Kumar teams up with Prabu Solomon for an intense social drama|website= Timesofindia.com|date=18 September 2021}}</ref>  Solomon directed ''[[Kumki 2]]'' (2025), the sequel to his 2012 film ''Kumki''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=When Prabhu Solomon's Kumki 2 clears censorship formalities |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Nov/14/prabhu-solomons-kumki-2-clears-censorship-formalities |access-date=2025-11-14 |work=Cinema Express}}</ref> His direction was criticized by a Times of India review as lacking flow at times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kumki 2 Movie Review: Well-meaning tale hampered by weak craft |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/kumki-2/movie-review/125342463.cms |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
===As director===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! rowspan="2" style="width:35px;"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:35px;"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:150px;"| Film
! rowspan="2" style="width:150px;"| Film
! colspan="3" style="width:195px;"| Credited as
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:80px;"| Language
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:80px;"| Language
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:350px;" class="unsortable"| Notes
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:350px;" class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Kannodu Kanbathellam]]'' || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] || credited as Prabhu<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=20 August 1999 |title=Film Reviews: Kannodu Kaanbathellam/Amarkallam |url=http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/08/20/stories/09200225.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010604215940/http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/08/20/stories/09200225.htm |archive-date=4 June 2001 |access-date=31 July 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Usire (film)|Usire]]'' || [[Kannada]] || credited as A. X. Prabhu<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sify.com/movies/kannada/review.php?id=6007909&ctid=5&cid=2427|title=Review: Usire|work=[[Sify]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041225145323/http://sify.com/movies/kannada/review.php?id=6007909&ctid=5&cid=2427|archive-date=25 December 2004}}</ref>
|-
|-
! style="width:65px;" | Director
| 2002 || ''[[King (2002 film)|King]]'' || rowspan="8" | Tamil || credited as A. X. Solomon<ref>{{cite web |title=King |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?ctid=5&cid=2429&id=11901608 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031117141426/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/review.php?ctid=5&cid=2429&id=11901608 |archive-date=17 November 2003 |access-date=6 December 2025 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>
! width=65 | Writer
! width=65 | Producer
|-
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Kannodu Kanbathellam]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starmusiq.com/tamil_movie_songs_free_download.asp?MovieId=1088|title=Kannodu Kanbathellam (1999) Tamil Movie CD-Rip 320KBPS MP3 Songs Music By Deva - StarMusiQ.Com|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>
| 2006 || ''[[Kokki (film)|Kokki]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Usire (film)|Usire]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||[[Kannada]] ||
| 2007 || ''[[Lee (2007 film)|Lee]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 2002 || ''[[King (2002 film)|King]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil ||
| 2009 || ''[[Laadam]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Kokki (film)|Kokki]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tamiltunes.com/kokki.html|title=Kokki - TamilTunes.com - Download Tamil Songs|date=6 December 2008|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>
| 2010 || ''[[Mynaa]]''|| [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]]<br /> [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director]]<br />[[Vijay Award for Best Story, Screenplay Writer]]<br>Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Director - Tamil]]
|-
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Lee (2007 film)|Lee]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil ||
| 2012 || ''[[Kumki (film)|Kumki]]'' ||SIIMA Award for Best Director<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.com/kumki-tamil/profile-50012269.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142530/http://www.in.com/kumki-tamil/profile-50012269.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2014|title=Kumki (Tamil) Photos, Pics, Kumki (Tamil) Wallpapers, Videos, News, Movies, Songs, Images|website=In.com|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Laadam]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil ||
| 2014 || ''[[Kayal (film)|Kayal]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Mynaa]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil || [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]]<br /> [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director]]<br />[[Vijay Award for Best Story, Screenplay Writer]]<br>Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Director - Tamil]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/tamil/movies/mynaa/cast-crew.html|title=Mynaa Cast & Crew, Mynaa Tamil Movie Cast, Actor, Actress, Director - Filmibeat|website=FilmiBeat|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>
| 2016 || ''[[Thodari]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Saattai]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}  ||Tamil ||
| 2021 ||''[[Kaadan]]''<br />''Aranya''<br />''Haathi Mere Saathi''||Tamil<br />[[Telugu language|Telugu]]<br />[[Hindi]]||Trilingual film
|-
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Kumki (film)|Kumki]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil ||SIIMA Award for Best Director<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in.com/kumki-tamil/profile-50012269.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413142530/http://www.in.com/kumki-tamil/profile-50012269.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 April 2014|title=Kumki (Tamil) Photos, Pics, Kumki (Tamil) Wallpapers, Videos, News, Movies, Songs, Images|website=In.com|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>
| 2022 || ''[[Sembi]]'' || rowspan="3"|Tamil ||  
|-
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Kayal (film)|Kayal]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil ||  
| 2025 || ''[[Kumki 2]]'' ||  
|-
|-
| 2016 || ''[[Thodari]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil ||
| TBA || ''Mambo'' || Filming
|-
|}
 
===As producer===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Rupai (film)|Rubaai]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}  ||Tamil ||
! rowspan="2" style="width:35px;"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:150px;"| Film
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:80px;"| Language
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:350px;" class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2021 ||''[[Kaadan]]''<br />''Aranya''<br />''Haathi Mere Saathi''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil<br />Telugu<br />Hindi ||
 
|-
|-
|''[[Kumki 2]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil || Filming
| 2012 || ''[[Saattai]]'' || rowspan="2" | Tamil ||
|-
|-
| 2022 || ''Sembi'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}}  ||Tamil || Post-production
| 2017 || ''[[Rupai (film)|Rubaai]]'' ||
|-
|-
| 2025 || ''[[Eleven (film)|Eleven]]'' || Tamil<br />Telugu || Creative producer
|}
|}


;Actor
===Actor===
*''Gokulathil Seethai'' (1996) - Guy who gives bouquet to Suvalaksmi in class
*''[[Gokulathil Seethai (film)|Gokulathil Seethai]]'' (1996)
*''[[Murai Mappillai]]'' (1996)
*''[[Kannodu Kanbathellam]]'' (1999)
*''[[Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy]]'' (2005)
*''[[Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy]]'' (2005)
*''[[Azhagiya Kanne (2023 film)|Azhagiya Kanne]]'' (2023)
*''[[Yellow (2025 film)|Yellow]]'' (2025)


==References==
==References==
Line 86: Line 102:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|3454743}}
*{{IMDb name|3454743}}


{{Prabhu Solomon}}
{{Prabhu Solomon}}
Line 94: Line 110:


{{DEFAULTSORT:Solomon, Prabu}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Solomon, Prabu}}
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian people]]
[[Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Film producers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian Christians]]
[[Category:Kannada screenwriters]]
[[Category:People from Cuddalore district]]
[[Category:People from Cuddalore district]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil film producers]]
[[Category:Tamil film producers]]
[[Category:Film producers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:Kannada screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]

Latest revision as of 07:30, 19 February 2026


Prabhu Solomon
Prabhu At ‘Kadugu’ Movie Premiere
Born (1969-05-07) 7 May 1969 (age 57)
Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, India
OccupationDirector, Producer
Years active1991–present
Spouse(s)Punitha[1]
Children2[1]

Prabhu Solomon (born 7 May 1969) is an Indian film director and screenwriter who has primarily worked on Tamil films. After making his directorial debut in 1999 with Kannodu Kanbathellam, he had a middling career before rising to prominence with the success of Mynaa (2010).

Career[edit | edit source]

Early career: 1991-2009[edit | edit source]

Solomon hails from Neyveli in Cuddalore district Tamil Nadu, He was a regular at the town's only cinema hall, which fostered his passion for films. He attended St. Paul's Matriculation Higher Secondary School, after which he completed a master's degree in English literature, before relocating to Chennai. His career in the film industry started in 1991 and for three years, he looked for opportunities to become in involved in ongoing film projects.[2] He first worked as a stunt double for Sarathkumar in Namma Annachi (1994), where he also met director Sundar C, who was working as the associate director of the film. He consequently joined Sundar's film Murai Maman (1995) as an assistant director, before subsequently working with Agathiyan on the award-winning Kadhal Kottai (1996).[2]

Anbalaya Films offered him an opportunity to direct a film for their production house, after he had helped them complete post-production Murai Mappillai (1995) when director Sundar C walked out. Solomon chose to feature Raghuvaran and Bhanupriya in the leading roles, though the producers Anabalaya Films were reluctant to cast a character artiste in the lead role for the film, Kannodu Kanbathellam (1999). Prabhu revealed he met Arjun in Thenkasi during the making of Mudhalvan (1999), at the insistence of his producer and actively tried to make a poor impression. Arjun, nonetheless, was keen and worked on the film.[2] Co-starring Sonali Bendre and Suchindra, the film was released to positive reviews. A romantic thriller featuring Arjun in a different role to his usual action ventures, the film however did well at the box office and became successful at the box office. Similarly his second venture, the Kannada film Usire (2001), a remake of Cheran's Bharathi Kannamma, did not perform as expected commercially.[2] Solomon had wanted Shiva Rajkumar to play the lead role, and he lamented that miscasting Ravichandran in the leading role instead, worked against the viability of the film. Solomon had signed on Vikram to play the lead role in a project shortly after the success of Sethu (1999) and wanted to work on a different script, but the actor insisted that the pair a film from the director's script titled King (2002). Solomon revealed that he was unconvinced about Vikram portraying the lead role, feeling that he was too old to play Nassar's son, but the actor insisted the project went ahead. Delays in the production in the film meant that Vikram's star image had risen and reviewers labelled the film as a disappointment upon release. The director noted that the story was written with the expectation of a small-time actor in the lead role, and hence Vikram's sudden popularity worked against his film. He revealed that his early career in film involved making significant compromises and was strictly against the type of cinema he had actually ventured to make.[2] He made the films Kokki (2006), Lee (2007), and Laadam (2009). Kokki had a successful run, but Lee and Laadam received mixed reviews.

Mynaa and resulting success: 2010-2017[edit | edit source]

It was with Mynaa that Solomon achieved his first breakthrough, a romance film set against the backdrop of Kurangani Theni district, Tamil Nadu. Mynaa opened to be a critically and commercially successful venture in the box office.[3]

After Mynaa, Solomon assigned his next film Kumki to director N. Lingusamy, which also marks the debut of Vikram Prabhu, the son of actor Prabhu and the grandson of actor Sivaji Ganesan. Like his previous film, Kumki was also a huge success in box office. D. Imman's music and M. Sukumar's cinematography contributed to the film's success.

Following the success of Kumki, Solomon took a break and went on a recce to the coastal South Indian town of Nagapattinam to get inspired for a story set on the backdrop of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. He gathered real-life stories of survival and intertwined them into his script.[4] Subsequently, he launched his next production Kayal with newcomers Chandran and Anandhi in the title roles, and shot for the film for a year. Scenes were shot for several days underwater, with the team often doing up to ten hours a day in knee-length depths of water.[4] The film completed shoot after 85 days in May 2014, with the director announcing that post-production would be extensive as a result of impending VFX works.[5][6] During the music release of the film in November 2014, Solomon revealed more details about the production of the film, noting that the climax was shot first to ensure graphic works depicting the tsunami could have as much time spent on it as possible. He went on to add that it was his costliest production till date and the film was made at a cost of ₹15 crore, with the special effects, notably the use of 7.1 Atmos mix for the climax, which was particularly expensive.[7][8] Kayal, like Mynaa and Kumki, released to critical acclaim and positive reviews.

In 2016, Solomon released Thodari, starring Dhanush. Good performances and an interesting screenplay with plenty of fun moments made Solomon's a decent attempt.[9] Solomon produced the film Rubaai (2017) under the banner God Pictures. The film was titled as Faisal. After they had wrapped up the first schedule, the film had the title change.[10]

2021-present[edit | edit source]

In 2021, Solomon directed Kaadan, a film set in a territory familiar to him - revolving around elephants and protecting forests. According to Indiaglitz, Kaadan, for a Tamil film, presents North Indian police officers and has a lot of North sensibilities which make audience feel an instant disconnect as well. All said, Prabhu Solomon's Kaadan has set its intention right and is a noteworthy venture for its important social message, but the film received mixed reviews.[11] His 2022 film Sembi, produced by Trident Arts productions,[12] on the other hand, received highly positive reviews. Touted to be an intense social drama, set against the backdrop for Kodaikanal, Ashwin Kumar Lakshmikanthan plays the lead in the film alongside actors Kovai Sarala and Thambi Ramaiah.[13] Solomon directed Kumki 2 (2025), the sequel to his 2012 film Kumki.[14] His direction was criticized by a Times of India review as lacking flow at times.[15]

Filmography[edit | edit source]

As director[edit | edit source]

Year Film Language Notes
1999 Kannodu Kanbathellam Tamil credited as Prabhu[16]
2001 Usire Kannada credited as A. X. Prabhu[17]
2002 King Tamil credited as A. X. Solomon[18]
2006 Kokki
2007 Lee
2009 Laadam
2010 Mynaa Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director
Vijay Award for Best Story, Screenplay Writer
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director - Tamil
2012 Kumki SIIMA Award for Best Director[19]
2014 Kayal
2016 Thodari
2021 Kaadan
Aranya
Haathi Mere Saathi		 Tamil
Telugu
Hindi		 Trilingual film
2022 Sembi Tamil
2025 Kumki 2
TBA Mambo Filming

As producer[edit | edit source]

Year Film Language Notes
2012 Saattai Tamil
2017 Rubaai
2025 Eleven Tamil
Telugu		 Creative producer

Actor[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Friday Cinemaa WebTV (17 January 2015). ADDRESS – MEET THE FAMILY OF FILMMAKER PRABHU SOLOMON. Event occurs at 7:17. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Prabhu Solomon Interview: The Perfect Wave". Silverscreen. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "I never thought I was making Mynaa any differently". Rediff. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Menon, Vishal (15 November 2014). "The travelling showman". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 April 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  5. ↑ "Kayal in Post-production". 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  6. ↑ Staff Reporter (18 September 2014). "Celluloid tribute to tsunami victims". The Hindu. Retrieved 12 April 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  7. ↑ "Prabhu Solomon opens up on 'Kayal'". Sify. 13 November 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014.
  8. ↑ "Prabhu Solomon's 'Kayal' to release in Dolby Atmos, launches its music in Chennai". 13 November 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  9. ↑ "Review: Thodari is a decent attempt".
  10. ↑ "Rubaai - Movie Review".
  11. ↑ "Kaadan review. Kaadan Tamil movie review, story, rating".
  12. ↑ "Kovai Sarala turns serious for Prabu Solomon's road movie". The Timesofindia.com. 19 May 2022.
  13. ↑ "Ashwin Kumar teams up with Prabu Solomon for an intense social drama". Timesofindia.com. 18 September 2021.
  14. ↑ "When Prabhu Solomon's Kumki 2 clears censorship formalities". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  15. ↑ "Kumki 2 Movie Review: Well-meaning tale hampered by weak craft". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  16. ↑ Ramanujam, D. S. (20 August 1999). "Film Reviews: Kannodu Kaanbathellam/Amarkallam". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 June 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  17. ↑ "Review: Usire". Sify. Archived from the original on 25 December 2004.
  18. ↑ "King". Sify. Archived from the original on 17 November 2003. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  19. ↑ "Kumki (Tamil) Photos, Pics, Kumki (Tamil) Wallpapers, Videos, News, Movies, Songs, Images". In.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2018.

External links[edit | edit source]

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