Sukumar is among the few Telugu directors who have built a strong legacy for themselves and their assistants. His influence has shaped a distinct school of filmmaking in Telugu cinema.
Two notable directors to emerge from Sukumar's wing are Buchi Babu and Srikanth Odela. Both have managed to establish themselves with successful debut films.
Buchi Babu delivered a blockbuster with Uppena. He has now secured the opportunity to direct Ram Charan in Peddi, marking a major step forward in his career.
Srikanth Odela made a strong debut with Dasara. He is once again collaborating with Nani for Paradise.
A clear common thread connects Sukumar and his former assistants. All three filmmakers frequently explore the rustic genre in their storytelling.
Sukumar himself has delivered raw and rooted films such as Rangasthalam and Pushpa. Srikanth Odela appears to be following a similar path with Dasara and Paradise.
While there may be surface-level variations, the core ideas and environmental narratives remain quite similar. The rustic backdrop continues to play a dominant role in shaping these films.
Sukumar has already shown that he can step out of this space when needed. However, the responsibility now lies with the younger directors to break away from familiar ground.
For Buchi Babu and Srikanth Odela, exploring fresh genres and new storytelling approaches could define their long-term growth. Audiences will be watching closely to see if they take that leap in the near future.