Sugumaran began his career as an assistant to the legendary director Balu Mahendra between 1999 and 2000, contributing to several short films, including "Julie Ganapathy." He also co-wrote the dialogues for Vetrimaaran's "Aadukalam" (2011), starring Dhanush. His directorial debut came with the critically acclaimed "Madha Yaanai Koottam" in 2013, a gritty rural drama praised for its raw storytelling and social commentary. After a decade-long hiatus, he returned with "Raavana Kottam" in 2023, featuring Shanthnu Bhagyaraj in the lead role. At the time of his passing, Sugumaran was working on a new project titled "Therum Porum."
The news of his sudden demise has left the Tamil film industry in shock. Actor Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, who collaborated with Sugumaran on "Raavana Kottam," expressed his grief on social media, stating, "Rip dearest brother. I’ve learnt so much from you & will always cherish every moment. Gone too soon. You will be missed." Music composer Justin Prabhakaran also paid tribute, writing, "A filmmaker who dreamed beyond frames, but left us too soon. Gone with countless stories untold. May your soul rest in peace Vikram Sugumaran sir."
Sugumaran's untimely death marks a significant loss to Tamil cinema, particularly in the realm of socially rooted storytelling that he championed. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the industry, and he will be remembered for his authentic portrayal of rural narratives.
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