Atlee turns 39 today.

Arun Kumar is better known by his screen name, Atlee. He was born on 21 September 1986 and began his film career as an assistant to Shankar in films like Enthiran and Nanban.

He made his explosive directorial debut with the critically acclaimed box-office hit, Raja Rani with Arya, Jai, Nayanthara and Nazriya Nazim in the lead roles. The film won for Atlee the Vijay Award for Best Director.

A year later he trebled this success with the Vijay starrer, Mersal. Apart from crossing 150 crores at the box-office, Mersal also won for Atlee the SIIMA Award for Best Director.

Two years later, he doubled the success with his second Vijay starrer, Bigil, which crossed 300 crores’ earning at the box-office,

Atlee and his wife also own a film production company that has produced films like Sangili Bungili Kathava Thorae and Andhagaaram.

Atlee subsequently turned his attention to Hindi cinema and will next direct Allu Arjun in a forthcoming Telugu film.