Sukumar then began working on the script of '' Jagadam '' ( 2007 ) , a crime film starring Ram Pothineni and Isha Sahni . Unlike '' Arya '' , '' Jagadam '' focused more on violence and in an interview with South Scope , Sukumar called the film an " act of bravado " , adding that he " made it with an innocent passion " , without thinking about the audience 's response . '' Jagadam '' received mixed reviews and was a commercial failure . While Sify called the film a " not so much a plot-driven film " albeit praising the work of its technical crew , Rediff called it a " good effort " . He then wrote and directed '' Arya 2 '' ( 2009 ) , which was promoted as the namesake sequel of his debut '' Arya '' . It featured Allu Arjun , Kajal Aggarwal , and Navdeep in the lead roles and narrated the story of Arya , a psychotic orphan whose love for his friend Ajay and his colleague Geetha is never reciprocated . Sify called it Sukumar 's " another celluloid misadventure " after '' Jagadam '' and stated that he " fails both as a writer and director as his plotline is confusing and his hero 's characterization is negative " . However , '' Arya 2 '' became one of the few successful Telugu films of the year , and was praised for its style quotient and music . Sukumar received a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Telugu at the 57th Filmfare Awards South ceremony , but lost it to S. S. Rajamouli for '' Magadheera '' . Rajamouli stated that he regards Sukumar as the best of the lot after watching '' Arya 2 '' , which was Sukumar 's " most precious and sweetest thing I have heard about myself "
57th Filmfare Awards South
57th Filmfare Awards South
Sukumar (director)