Atlee is a blockbuster director known for big, emotional mass entertainers. After learning the craft under S. Shankar, he delivered hits with Vijay in Theri, Mersal and Bigil, then made his Hindi debut with Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (2023), which grossed about ₹1,150 crore worldwide.
He is now directing Raaka, a large-scale film starring Allu Arjun, expected in 2027. He also runs the production house A for Apple Productions with his wife Krishna Priya.
Atlee Quick Facts
| Real Name | Arun Kumar |
| Profession | Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer |
| Date of Birth | 21 September 1986 |
| Age | 40 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Thiruparankundram, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Years Active | 2013–present (as director) |
| Directorial Debut | Raja Rani (2013) |
| Known For | Raja Rani, Theri, Mersal, Bigil, Jawan |
| Education | Visual Communication, Sathyabama University, Chennai |
| Spouse | Krishna Priya (m. 2014) |
| Children | A son (b. 2023) and a daughter (b. 2026) |
| Production House | A for Apple Productions |
Atlee Career in Numbers
Here is a snapshot of Atlee’s career.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Films Directed | 5 (Raaka upcoming) |
| Biggest Hit | Jawan (2023), about ₹1,150 crore worldwide |
| Films with Vijay | 3 (Theri, Mersal, Bigil) |
| Production House | A for Apple Productions (2017) |
Early Life and Family
Atlee was born Arun Kumar on 21 September 1986 in Thiruparankundram, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He completed a degree in visual communication at Sathyabama University, Chennai.
He made short films during college and joined director S. Shankar as an assistant on Enthiran (2010) and Nanban (2012).
Atlee Career Journey
Raja Rani (2013)
Atlee’s debut, Raja Rani, a romantic drama starring Arya, Nayanthara, Jai and Nazriya, produced by A. R. Murugadoss, was a big hit and won him Best Debut Director honours.
Vijay Trilogy (2016–2019)
He made three hit films with Vijay: Theri (2016), the political drama Mersal (2017) and the sports drama Bigil (2019). All three were major box-office successes.
Jawan and Raaka (2023–Present)
Atlee made his Hindi debut with Jawan (2023), starring Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi. It grossed about ₹1,150 crore worldwide. He is now directing Raaka with Allu Arjun, expected to release in 2027.
Atlee Films Directed: Complete Filmography
Below is the complete list of films directed by Atlee.
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Raja Rani | Director, Writer | Debut; Best Debut Director honours |
| 2016 | Theri | Director, Writer | With Vijay |
| 2017 | Mersal | Director, Writer | With Vijay |
| 2019 | Bigil | Director, Writer | With Vijay |
| 2023 | Jawan | Director, Writer | Hindi; with Shah Rukh Khan; ₹1,150 crore |
| 2027 | Raaka | Director, Writer | With Allu Arjun; expected 2027 |
Producer
Atlee founded A for Apple Productions in 2017 with his wife Krishna Priya. The banner has produced films such as Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae and co-produced the Hindi film Baby John (2024), a remake of Theri.
Atlee Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Vijay Award for Best Debut Director | For Raja Rani |
| Career | IIFA Utsavam and SIIMA Best Director honours | For his Vijay films |
Atlee Personal Life
Atlee married actress Krishna Priya on 9 November 2014. The couple have a son, born in 2023, and a daughter, born in 2026.
He is known for his close friendship with Vijay and Shah Rukh Khan.
Atlee Net Worth
Atlee earns from directing fees, profit-sharing and his production house A for Apple Productions.
Estimated Net Worth: Approximately ₹50 crore.
Net worth figures are estimates based on publicly reported information, including entertainment industry reports and media estimates. These are not audited financial statements and may not account for liabilities, family holdings or changes in asset values.
Lesser-Known Facts About Atlee
- His real name is Arun Kumar.
- He assisted S. Shankar on Enthiran and Nanban.
- He has made three hit films with Vijay.
- Jawan grossed about ₹1,150 crore worldwide.
- He co-produced Baby John, the Hindi remake of his own Theri.
Legacy and Impact
Atlee has built a reputation for crowd-pleasing mass entertainers that work across languages. Jawan made him one of India’s most in-demand directors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Atlee
How old is Atlee?
Atlee was born on 21 September 1986, making him 40 years old as of 2026.
What is Atlee’s real name?
His real name is Arun Kumar.
How much did Jawan collect?
Jawan grossed about ₹1,150 crore worldwide.
What is Atlee’s next film?
His next film is Raaka with Allu Arjun, expected in 2027.
What is Atlee’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated at approximately ₹50 crore, based on publicly reported information.
Final Summary
From Shankar’s assistant to the director of Jawan, Atlee has had a meteoric rise. Raaka with Allu Arjun is one of the most anticipated films in India.