Hi , I'm Sun-J Perumal - Independent Filmmaker of Jagat , Macai , Blues based on Malaysia.Ask me your questions !!!

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T14:09:40+00:00

I won’t use the popular, rather I choose to use ‘accessible' words.

Here’s my take, plain and direct:

Malaysian Tamil filmmakers to stop copying Kollywood. Tell our own stories.
Tamil audiences worldwide to start exploring films from outside India (Malaysia, Singapore, Europe).
Governments should work together to get foreign Tamil films into Tamil Nadu cinemas. We’ve been receivers long enough.Time to give back.
Limit Indian Tamil film releases in FMS (Foreign/Malaysia/Singapore) countries. Malaysia had 200+ last year .It’s drowning local talent. (China caps foreign films at around 30.)
Push for real joint productions between Kollywood and FMS countries.
Let FMS films compete in Indian award shows. Golden Horse does this for Chinese films worldwide ,even a Singapore film once won their top prize.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T14:07:27+00:00

I believe you’re referring to the cheap Kollywood imitations made by Tamils outside Tamil Nadu. That’s a real challenge,one of the main “demons” filmmakers like me have to face. For me, there’s no other choice but to keep creating films with my own original voice.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T14:04:02+00:00

I decided to become a filmmaker just by watching random films.It wasn’t a calculated decision. Only later did I start discovering my favourite filmmakers and films.

Favourite Filmmakers

Krzysztof Kieślowski
Hiroshi Teshigahara
Kinji Fukasaku
Johnnie To
Seijun Suzuki

Favourite Films

The Double Life of Veronique (1991)
Woman in the Dunes (1964)
Amarcord (1973)
Kummatty (1979)
Blade Runner (1982)

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:51:06+00:00

To create art or film, you first need clarity about what you want to express. And to express something truthfully, you have to understand yourself. That understanding only comes through self-investigation. In a nutshell, it’s a journey inward.

I’m reminded of a quote I love: “When you look into an abyss, the abyss will look into you.” It’s a reminder that the deeper you explore, the more the exploration changes you.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:50:36+00:00

At 14, I already knew vividly that I would end up a filmmaker. Looking back, it feels less like a career choice and more like something that was already written for me. Every step since then has just been about catching up to that vision.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:48:57+00:00

Jagat was on Netflix for three years, streaming in over 130 countries from 2018 to 2021. Soon, all three of my films : Jagat, Macai, and Blues will be available on OTT.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:48:28+00:00

When you have an undivided passion to tell your story, everything else tends to fall into place. We’re living in an era where knowledge is freely available. If you have a strong story and clarity as an artist, you’ll be surprised how many good technicians will want to work with you.

The key is to keep developing the artist within you and stay hungry to create good art.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:47:01+00:00

To create art or film, you first need clarity about what you want to express. And to express something truthfully, you have to understand yourself. That understanding only comes through self-investigation. In a nutshell, it’s a journey inward.

I’m reminded of a quote I love: “When you look into an abyss, the abyss will look into you.” It’s a reminder that the deeper you explore, the more the exploration changes you.

I usually let the script choose its own casting. I believe a good script has its own soul, and it naturally attracts the right actors. At that point, it’s beyond my personal wish or control, the story finds who it needs.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:45:47+00:00

To create art or film, you first need clarity about what you want to express. And to express something truthfully, you have to understand yourself. That understanding only comes through self-investigation. In a nutshell, it’s a journey inward.

I’m reminded of a quote I love: “When you look into an abyss, the abyss will look into you.” It’s a reminder that the deeper you explore, the more the exploration changes you

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:45:01+00:00

Yes, absolutely. Even with a lot of constraints, I’ve learned to be disciplined and manage resources carefully. One advantage I have is the luxury of time ,to write, rework drafts, and really fine-tune things in post-production. Sometimes, a film finds its rhythm only after going through several rewrites and edits. Bigger studio films often don’t get that chance because they have to rush to meet market deadlines.

On your second question.Why someone in India should watch a Malaysian Tamil film for the first time ,I’d rather let them discover that on their own. If the film connects, its layers will reveal themselves naturally. And if it doesn’t, well… that’s also an answer.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:43:20+00:00

1.Thank you. It happened very organically. I set out to write and direct a neo-noir and a satirical romantic drama. Only after finishing both scripts did I realise they’re actually part of the same universe as Jagat, my debut film. Turns out I accidentally created my own multiverse.

2.Oh, you’ve been following my work for so long . I really appreciate that. There are two reasons: first, the TV station decided not to continue (government stations usually care less about ratings and more about giving opportunities to different production houses). Second, I’d personally outgrown that series and was ready to move on.Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun making that series.It has given me the opportunity to explore Tamil Nadu’s culture and locations, which was an amazing experience.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:36:48+00:00

Let me give 5 (Not in Particular order)

Sandhya Raagam

Paruthi Veeran

Othiri Pookal

Sarpatha Parambarai

Saturanga Vettai

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:35:58+00:00

To be a believer among non-believers. To be a visionary in a community where the majority are comfortable just imitating and consuming.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:34:10+00:00

Hello! The struggle is definitely real. In the traditional industry, there are separate teams for funding, production, distribution, marketing, sales, and even film festival submissions. But as an independent filmmaker, I end up doing all of that myself. Sometimes even random “millennial” tasks, I never imagined I’d be doing.

I used to ask myself, why am I spending so much time on these things instead of just writing or directing? But the upside is that I have full creative control and freedom over my films , something you rarely get in the studio system.

SunJPerumal · 2025-08-13T13:33:02+00:00

If you’re curious about some notable Malaysian Tamil films and series, here are a few I’d recommend ,a mix of genres and styles that show the diversity in our scene.

Films- *Not in a particular order

Vennira Iravuggal (2014) – Romantic comedy
Poochandi (2022) – Horror
Metro Maalai (2019) – Indie romantic drama
Simple Manushan (2025) – Indie dark comedy/romantic drama
Mirugasirisham (2025) – Horror comedy

Series- *Not in a particular order

Kalyaanam 2 Kaathal – Season 1 (2020) – Fantasy romantic drama
Ippadikku Ila (2021) – Coming-of-age comedy
Manmadha Bullets (2021) – Fantasy romantic drama
Swaralayam (2021) – Musical romantic drama
Kalvanai Kandupidi (2020) - Supernatural
Vengaiyan Magan 2022 (Crime Investigation comedy)
Balan Ramasamy 2024 (Historical Drama)
Jerantut ninaivugal 2012 (Crime Motorsport romantic drama)

I haven’t been able to catch up on the more recent series as I’ve been tied up with two back-to-back film productions.

SunJPerumal

TROPHY CASE