From theatre group in Manjeswaram to the pinnacle of Sandalwood: JP Thuminad’s glorious journey

Manjeswaram: Fresh from the theatrical world and making a remarkable entry into Kannada cinema, ‘debut director and actor’ (Jaya Prakash Thuminad) has won hearts with his maiden film, Su From So (Sulochana from Someshwara). Released on July 25, the film continues to gain momentum, securing a spot among recent Kannada box office hits.

JP Thuminad, a native of Manjeswaram, first stepped onto the cultural stage through the local drama troupe Sharada Arts. From a young age, he nurtured a passion for Tulu and Kannada theatre, before making his cinematic debut in 2018 with the Tulu film Katapadi Kattappa. After seven years and eight acting credits later, he has returned as director, writer, and lead actor with Su From So.

JP Thuminad credits actor, scriptwriter, and director Raj B. Shetty, renowned for several recent Kannada hits, for inspiring this unique film. Su From So is a full-length horror-comedy that surprises audiences with laughter and thrills from start to finish.

Apart from JP Thuminad, the film boasts an ensemble cast including Shanil Gautham, Deepak Rai Paanaaje, JP Thuminad, and Sandhya Arakere. The musical score is crafted by newcomer Sumedh K, complemented by background music from Malayali composer Sandeep Thulasidas.

Produced by Raj B. Shetty’s Lighter Buddha Films, the movie’s distribution and dubbing in Malayalam have been handled by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films. With a production budget of approximately ₹5 crore, Su From So has impressively crossed the ₹100 crore mark at the box office, cementing its status as a blockbuster hit.