Prem

Kiran Kumar (born 22 October 1976),

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. He is married to actress-turned-producer Rakshita on March 9, 2007 and they have a son named Surya.

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.

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, 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 biggest comeback film.

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, 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.

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

Discography Year Song(s) Film Composer Lyricist Notes 2003 "Brahma Vishnu Shiva" Excuse Me R. P. Patnaik V. Nagendra Prasad Sang with chorus"Thottilu Thugolige" Co-sang with Madhukar 2005 "Beduvenu Varavannu" Jogi Gurukiran Prem Solo"Hodi Maga"Co-sang with Gurukiran,Vijay Yesudas and Gururaj Hoskote 2007 "Magalu Doddavaladalu" Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide 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 Prem Co-sang with Shreya Ghoshal 2012 "Baadigege" Prem Adda V. Harikrishna Co-sang with Shreya Ghoshal 2013 "Davva Davva" Jataayu Vinay Chandra Kaviraj Solo2014"Dooradondu"Muddu ManaseVineeth Raj MenonSanthuSolo 2015 "Sesamma" DK Arjun Janya Prem Co-sang with Mamta Sharma"Banda Banda" SudarshanSolo 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 2018 "Marali Baradorige" Parasanga Harsha Vardhan Raj N K Lolakshi Solo "Tick Tick Tick" The Villain Arjun Janya Prem Co-sang with Kailash Kher, Vijay Prakash, and Siddharth Basrur"Love Aagoythe"Solo"Rana Rana Raavana"Co-sang with Shreya Ghoshal 2019 "Panchatantra"Panchatantra V. Harikrishna Yogaraj Bhat Solo "Amma Amma Ammaa"Sinnga Dharma Vish V. Nagendra Prasad Solo 2020 "Belakondu" Naanu Matthu Gunda Karthik Sharma Rohith Raman Solo 2021 "Helu Yaake" Ek Love Ya Arjun Janya Prem Solo "Edebaditha Joragide" Manjunath BS Co-sang with Anuradha Bhat 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 2026 "Shiva Shiva" KD: The Devil Arjun Janya Manjunath BS Co-sang with Kailash Kher "Annthamma Jodetthu Kano" Solo