Tarun Kumar, a prominent in the Telugu and Tamil film industry, embarked on a journey from being a child actor. From his early fascination with Mani Ratnam’s masterpieces to his debut as a child artist and subsequent rise to stardom. Tarun’s career has been a blend of achievements, challenges, and a myriad of roles.
Childhood and Early Stardom:
Tarun found himself captivated by the magic of Mani Ratnam’s creations, including “Nayagan” (1987) and “Agni Nakshatram” (1988). This early admiration for cinema sowed the seeds of his future career. He kickstarted his journey with a pivotal role in the Tamil-language film “Anjali” (1990), portraying the role of distraught Shamlee’s brother. This marked his entry into the world of acting.
Tarun’s talent didn’t stop at the big screen; he also graced the small screen with his presence in the Telugu-language television serial “Wonder Boy” for Eenadu TV. His pursuit of knowledge led him to participate in a quiz show, although he eventually left the show to prioritize his education.
Awards and Recognition:
Tarun’s exceptional acting skills were recognized early on, earning him the Nandi Award for Best Child Actor for his performances in films like “Manasu Mamatha” (1990), “Pillalu Diddina Kapuram” (1991), and “Teja” (1992). His collaboration with Mani Ratnam continued in the film “Thalapathi” (1991), where he portrayed a minor role.
Notably, Tarun’s talent transcended borders, as he also ventured into Malayalam and Tamil cinema with films like “Abhayam” (1991), “My Dear Muthachan” (1992), “Johny” (1993), and “Meera” (1992). His exceptional performance in “Abhayam” even earned him an award at the Furoshiki Film Festival in Japan.
Rising as a Lead Actor:
After a hiatus, Tarun returned to the spotlight through commercials for Spinz Talc and Fanta, starring alongside Richa Pallod. His role in the Fanta advertisement eventually led to his breakthrough as a lead actor in K. Vijaya Bhaskar’s “Nuvve Kavali” (2000), a Telugu remake of the film “Niram” (1999). Tarun into stardom, and he garnered the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year.
Tarun continued to deliver noteworthy performances in films like “Priyamaina Neeku” (2001), “Nuvvu Leka Nenu Lenu” (2002), and “Nuvve Nuvve” (2002). However, not all his endeavors yielded success, with films like “Ela Cheppanu” (2003) facing challenges at the box office.
Challenges and Resilience:
Despite the highs, Tarun encountered setbacks and faced commercial disappointments, leading to a reevaluation of his career choices. His attempts to expand into the Tamil film industry with films like “Punnagai Desam” (2002) and “Enakku 20 Unakku 18/Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu” (2003) didn’t yield the desired results.
While he continued to appear in films like “Nava Vasantham” (2007), “Sasirekha Parinayam” (2009), and “Bhale Dongalu” (2008), Tarun’s presence became less frequent on the silver screen. He faced mixed reviews for films like “Chukkalanti Ammayi Chakkanaina Abbayi” (2013), “Yuddham” (2014), “Veta” (2014), and “Idi Naa Love Story” (2018).
Conclusion:
Tarun Kumar’s journey in the world of South Indian cinema has been one of ups and downs, successes and challenges. From his early admiration for legendary filmmakers to his remarkable performances as a child artist and lead actor. His resilience and dedication continue to define his career, making him a notable in the world of Telugu and Tamil.
