Arunabh Kumar
{{Short description|Indian web series director (born 1982)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Arunabh Kumar
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1982|11|26}}
| birth_place = Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India
| occupation = {{hlist|Entrepreneur|producer|screenwriter|director|actor}}
| years_active = 2007-present
| spouse = {{marriage|Shruti Ranjan|2022}}
| children = 1
}}
Arunabh Kumar (born 26 November 1982) is an Indian entrepreneur, producer, director, screenwriter, and an actor. He is the founder of streaming platform, The Viral Fever (TVF). His shows are often characterized by parody, lightheartedness, youth oriented, and competitive exams in India.
Early life and career
Arunabh Kumar was brought up in Muzaffarpur in Bihar.{{cite web|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/this-iit-kharagpur-alumnus-is-the-brain-behind-the-viral-fever-media/articleshow/46142385.cms|title=This IIT Kharagpur alumnus is the brain behind The Viral Fever Media|last=Saxena|first=Aditi|date=6 February 2015|work=The Economic Times|access-date=21 March 2015}} After completing his B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur, he joined Shah Rukh Khan's production house Red Chillies Entertainment as an assistant's position under Farah Khan. He was the assistant director for the movie Om Shanti Om.{{Cite web |title=Not Deepika Padukone, Ex-TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar Auditioning for Shah Rukh Khan's Heroine Role in Om Shanti Om is Memorable! {{!}} India.com |url=https://www.india.com/viral/not-deepika-padukone-ex-tvf-ceo-arunabh-kumar-auditioning-for-shah-rukh-khans-heroine-role-in-om-shanti-om-is-memorable-2308460/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=www.india.com |language=en}}
MTV rejected his creation Engineer's Diary which led to the launching of The Viral Fever.{{cite web |title=How MTV's rejection created Q-tiyapa |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/how-mtv-s-rejection-created-q-tiyapa/story-Mz84JBmloZBCyPpX9pvnoJ.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=27 February 2021 |language=en |date=24 December 2013}}{{cite web|title=EC – How an IITian sodomized by MTV created his own youth channel – The Viral Fever bluff|url=http://enoogle.com/ec-how-an-iitian-sodomized-by-mtv-created-his-own-youth-channel-the-viral-fever-story/|access-date=21 March 2015|work=enoogle}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Personal life
In 2022, Kumar married his girlfriend of 10 years, Shruti Ranjan.{{cite web|url= https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/tvf-founder-arunabh-kumar-ties-knot-with-long-time-beau-shruti-ranjan-see-photos-7934845/|title= TVF founder Arunabh Kumar ties the knot with girlfriend Shruti Ranjan, see pics|website=Indian Express|date= 25 May 2022|accessdate=March 15, 2023}}
Sexual misconduct allegations
In March 2017, Kumar was accused by an anonymous person, who used the pseudonym "Indian Fowler" on website Medium.{{cite web|title=Tlolhe Indian Uber- That is TVF|url=https://medium.com/@Indian.fowler/the-indian-uber-that-is-tvf-37f9cb73df31#.6nywdcy7s|date=12 March 2017|access-date=13 October 2019|archive-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317022113/https://medium.com/@Indian.fowler/the-indian-uber-that-is-tvf-37f9cb73df31#.6nywdcy7s|url-status=dead}} In the post titled "The Indian Uber — That is TVF", she wrote that she was propositioned and sexually harassed by Kumar on multiple occasions and that it had become "routine".{{cite web|url= https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/Mar/29/tvf-founder-arunabh-kumar-faces-case-of-sexual-harassment-1587522.html|title= TVF founder Arunabh Kumar faces case of sexual harassment|accessdate=February 28, 2019|date=March 30, 2017}}{{cite web|title=Several people accuse TVF CEO of sexual harassment|website=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/several-people-accuse-tvf-ceo-of-sexual-harassment/articleshow/57640911.cms|date=15 March 2017}}{{cite web|title=An IIT Grad, A Viral Video Start-Up, Sex Harassment Allegations: 10 Facts|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/the-anon-women-vs-arunabh-kumar-10-point-guide-to-the-tvf-controversy-1669728|date=15 March 2017}} After the anonymous blog post, nine more women came forward and made allegations of sexual misconduct against Kumar.{{cite web|url= https://inc42.com/buzz/arunabh-kumar-tvf-harassment-controversy/|title=Arunabh Kumar TVF Harassment Controversy|website=INC42|date=14 March 2017 }}{{cite web|url= https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/tvf-founder-arunabh-kumar-and-the-sexual-harassment-allegations-against-him/articleshow/57632581.cms|title= TVF Founder Arunabh Kumar and the Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Him|website=Bangalore Mirror|accessdate=January 22, 2022}} After almost three days, there were 50 women who accused him for sexual allegations.{{cite web|url= https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/arunabh-kumar-sexual-harassment-50-complaints-against-tvf-ceo-965641-2017-03-15|title= Are there over 50 sexual harassment accusations against TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar now?|website=IndiaToday|date=March 15, 2017}}
On 29 March 2017, he was booked for molestation after a woman filed a police complaint in Mumbai.{{cite news | url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/tvf-molestation-case-anurabh-kumar-lawyer-rizwan-siddiquee-case-to-shut-police-failed-to-investigate-4591565/ | title=TVF molestation row: Founder-CEO Anurabh Kumar booked after a victim registers case in Mumbai | work=Indian Express | date=29 March 2017 | access-date=30 March 2017}} Following day, a second FIR was filed against him on charges of sexual harassment.{{cite news | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tvf-ceo-booked-again-second-case-of-sexual-harassment-registered-in-mumbai/story-kqgCoomaHm9E0bMvlSidLJ.html | title=Second FIR lodged against TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar on charges of sexual harassment | work=Hindustan Times | date=30 March 2017 | access-date=3 April 2017}} The first complainant was a 26-year-old woman who worked for a production house and was also a writer. The incident, she alleged, took place at TVF's office in May 2016, when she interacted with Arunabh over some project. TVF denied all the allegations and said that they would "leave no stone unturned to find the author of the article and bring them to severe justice for making such false allegations.".{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tvf-ceo-arunabh-kumar-steps-down-read-full-text-of-his-statement-1713217|title=TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar Steps Down: Read Full Text Of His Statement|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2019-06-04}}{{cite web|title=Mumbai Film Festival Diary 2014: On day 5, comedians talk about social media's cool new generation of stars in Alia and Parineeti|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mumbai-film-festival-diary-2014-on-day-5-comedians-talk-about-social-medias-cool-new-generation-of-stars-in-alia-and-parineeti/507441-8.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021113844/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mumbai-film-festival-diary-2014-on-day-5-comedians-talk-about-social-medias-cool-new-generation-of-stars-in-alia-and-parineeti/507441-8.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 October 2014|access-date=22 March 2015| work=IBN Live}}{{cite web|url= https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sexual-harassment-tvf-fir-ceo-arunabh-kumar-molestation-968634-2017-03-30|website=IndiaToday|title=ARUNABH KUMAR|date=30 March 2017 |accessdate=June 19, 2019}}
Following the allegations, Kumar was arrested on 22 April 2017 but was released on bail the same day after paying a bond of Rs. 10,000.{{cite web|url= https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/tvf-ceo-arunabh-kumar-arrested-on-sexual-harassment-charges-released-on-rs-10000-bail-3402648.html|title= TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar arrested on sexual harassment charges; released on Rs 10,000 bail|website=FIRSTPOST|date= 25 April 2017|accessdate=June 19, 2018}}{{cite web|url= https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tvf-founder-arunabh-kumar-gets-anticipatory-bail-in-sexual-harassment-case-1682581|title= TVF Founder Arunabh Kumar Gets Anticipatory Bail In Sexual Harassment Case|website=NDTV|accessdate=January 19, 2022}} On 16 June 2017, Kumar who was accused in multiple sexual harassment cases, stepped down as TVF CEO and gave the charge to Dhawal Gusain.{{Cite news |title=Arunabh Kumar steps down as TVF CEO |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/arunabh-kumar-quits-tvf-dhaval-gusain-appointed-as-new-ceo/articleshow/59179375.cms |access-date=2023-08-05 |issn=0971-8257}}{{cite web|url= https://thewire.in/uncategorised/arunabh-kumar-steps-tvf-ceo|title= TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar, Accused of Sexual Harassment, Steps Down}}
After a hiatus of 3 years, He rejoined TVF (The Viral Fever) as a mentor.{{Cite web|title=Main Founding Members of 'TVF-The Viral Fever' Quit|url=https://www.indiaforums.com/article/main-founding-members-of-tvfthe-viral-fever-quit_167826|access-date=2021-04-06|website=India Forums|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|title=Vijay Koshy makes a comeback to TVF as President|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/amp/announcements-news/vijay-koshy-makes-a-comeback-to-tvf-as-president-105846.html|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media|date=3 July 2020 }} On 28 December 2022, Mumbai court acquitted Kumar of all the charges, 5 years after he faced charges for sexual misconduct.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-28 |title=Mumbai court acquits TVF founder Arunabh Kumar in 2017 sexual harassment case |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/mumbai-court-acquits-tvf-founder-arunabh-kumar-in-2017-sexual-harassment-case-101672225241910.html |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}{{cite web|url= https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tvf-founder-arunabh-kumar-acquitted-in-sexual-harassment-case-3645023|title= TVF founder Arunabh Kumar Acquitted In Sexual Harassment Case|website=NDTv}}{{cite web|url= https://mirchi.in/stories/celebrity/a-mumbai-court-acquitted-tvf-founder-arunabh-kumar-in-a-2017-sexual-harassment-case/96572746|website= In a 2017 sexual harassment case, a Mumbai court acquitted TVF founder Arunabh Kumar|accessdate=March 19, 2024|title= In a 2017 sexual harassment case, a Mumbai court acquitted TVF founder Arunabh Kumar}}{{cite web|url= https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/delay-in-filing-fir-tvf-founder-arunabh-kumar-cleared-of-harassment-charge-8347590/|title= Delay in filing FIR: TVF founder Arunabh Kumar cleared of harassment charge|author=Sadaf Modak|date= 28 December 2022}}
Filmography
=Films=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Note(s) |
|---|
| 2007
| Transgender auditioning for Shantipriya's role | Uncredited; {{no wrap|also assistant}} director |
| 2020
| Such is Life | {{n/a}} | Producer only; Short film |
| 2022
| Chhath Mahaparv | {{n/a}} | Producer only; Short film |
| 2024
| Powder | {{n/a}} | {{no wrap|Producer only;}} Kannada film |
=Television=
| class="wikitable" | ||||||
| Year
! Title ! Creator ! Director ! Writer ! Producer ! Note(s) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center;" | 2014-2023
| {{yes}} | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2015-2022
| {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | Also portrayed {{no wrap|Yogendra Kumar}} "Yogi" Pandey | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2015
| Barely Speaking with Arnub | | {{yes}} | | | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2016
| F.A.T.H.E.R.S | | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2016-2023
| Humorously Yours | | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2016-2022
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2016-present
| {{yes}} | | | | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2017-present
| TSP's Rabish ki Report | | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2| 2017
| Bisht, Please! | | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Office v Office
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2018-2022
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;"| 2018-2021
| Engineering Girls | | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2018-present
| Flames | | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2018-2024
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2018-2023
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=4| 2019-present | Cubicles | {{yes}} | ||||
| ImMATURE
| | {{yes}} | |||||
| Kota Factory
| {{yes}} | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Gullak
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2019-2023
| | | {{yes}} | |||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020
| | | | {{yes}} | {{no wrap|Telugu language}} show | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020-present
| {{yes}} | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2021-present
| {{yes}} | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" | 2021
| The Interns | | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=11| 2022
| NCR Days | | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Bade Chote Jasoos
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Sixerr
| {{yes}} | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Bachelors vs the World
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Sisters
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Sonu Beauty Parlour
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Baap Beta Aur Office
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Dadugiri
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt. Ltd.
| {{yes}} | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| The Winning Secrets
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Who's your Gynac
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=12| 2023
| {{yes}} | | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Kaalkoot
|{{yes}} | |{{Yes}} | | | ||||||
| SK Sir ki Class
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Angrezi Mat Jhad
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Engga Hostel
| | | | {{yes}} | {{no wrap|Tamil language}} show | ||||||
| Arranged Couple
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| The Talent Manager
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Hostel Days
| | | | {{yes}} | {{no wrap|Telugu language}} show | ||||||
| Sandeep Bhaiya
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Builders
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Sapne vs Everyone
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Mom @ Work
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3|2024
| Very Parivarik | {{yes}} | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Sisterhood
| | | | {{yes}} | | ||||||
| Industry
| | | |{{yes}} | | ||||||
| 2025
|{{yes}} | | |{{yes}} |
Awards and achievements
He was included in the list of The Economic Times 40 under Forty list for 2016,{{cite web|title=40 under Forty: Celebrating Young Leaders|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/management-leaders/40-under-forty-celebrating-young-leaders/slideshow/54543006.cms|date=29 September 2015}} Fortune Top 40 under 40 list for 2015,{{Cite web|url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/40under40/arunabh-kumar?year=2015| title=40 Under 40| publisher=Fortune India}} GQ's List of Most Influential Young Indians for 2015 and 2016,{{Cite web|url=http://www.gqindia.com/influence-list/50-most-influential-young-indians-gq-india/#arunabh-kumar|title=The 50 most influential young Indians|date=27 July 2015|access-date=30 June 2016|archive-date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004164821/http://www.gqindia.com/influence-list/50-most-influential-young-indians-gq-india/#arunabh-kumar|url-status=dead}} "Entrepreneur" List of 10 Geniuses Redefining Creativity of 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/270216|title=10 Geniuses Who Are Redefining the Future of Creativity|date=30 January 2016|website=ENTREPRENEUR INDIA}}
He was also awarded Man's World - Men of the Year in 2014,{{Cite web|url=http://www.mansworldindia.com/people/men-year-2014-8/|title=Men of the Year 2014|date=9 January 2015}} and AFAQs- "Newsmaker of the Year" in 2014.{{Cite web|url=http://www.afaqs.com/all/news-maker-of-the-year-2014/#people~65|title=People in the News|access-date=16 September 2016|archive-date=10 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010153146/http://www.afaqs.com/all/news-maker-of-the-year-2014/#people~65|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDB name|nm2837311}}
- {{Instagram|arunabhkumar}}
- {{Twitter|arunabhkumar}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Arunabh}}
Category:Businesspeople from Bihar