Top 10 Cinematographers in India:
Today, we are going to see the best 10 cinematographers of India, who made the Indian cinema to the next level. Before every ‘wow’ moments in a film, there lies a cinematographer. They visualize the director’s intention and give the same 100% to the audience.
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Santosh Sivan:
A well-known cinematographer in India received the Pudma Shri award for the service to Indian cinema. With nearly 14 National Awards and 10+ Regional Awards, he has made a benchmark to the contemporary cinematographers. Some of his masterpieces are Dil Se… (1998), Ashoka (2001), Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2005), etc.
Anil Mehta:
He is a writer, director, and a famous cinematographer of Bollywood movies. His creations and technical expertise is one-of-a-kind. He is a National Film Award winner for Best Cinematography for the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). His other wonders are Lagaan (2001), Highway (2014), Wake Up Sid (2009), Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), and many more.
Ravi K Chandran:
As a Director of Photography, he has bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography for the film Virasat (1998). He was recognized by all Indian cinemas for his aesthetic work in every film. Some of his bests are Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Fanaa (2006), Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), Ok Jaanu (2017) etc.
P.C. Sreeram:
A renowned alumnus of the Madras Film Institute, he is well associated with the Director Mani Ratnam and has created awe-inspiring scenes. In 1996, one of his movies ‘Kuruthipunal’ was submitted by India to the Oscars. To name some of his marvels, Pad Man (2018), Alaipayuthey (2000), Agni Natchathiram (1988), Mouna Ragam (1986), et al.
Ravi Varman:
An Indian Cinematographer, well-heard for his realistic picturization and poetic framing sense. Started his career in Malayalam films, he gradually established in Tamil as well as Hindi language films. Apart from cinematography, he is also a film-maker, producer and writer. His famous works are Anniyan (2005), Vakkalathu Narayanankutty (2001), Barfi (2012), Tamasha (2015), Kaatru Veliyidai (2017), etc.
K V Anand:
A former photo journalist and who has won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography in his debut film, Thenmavin Kombath (1994). He transformed himself from a cinematographer to a film director. He works mainly in the South Indian film industry. The most popular works of his are Kadhal Desam (1996), The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), Khakee (2004), Sivaji (2007), etc.
Rajiv Menon:
With his creative approach, he has won much fame in a short span of time. He has also made his footprints as an actor and director. His feature directorial film Minsara Kanavu has received four National Film Awards. His other great films as a cinematographer are, Cheluvi (1992), Bombay (1995), Guru (2007), Kadal (2013), and so on.
Sudeep Chatterjee:
An Indian cinematographer who is popular for his hindi films. He discontinued in engineering course and pursed cinematography at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He debuted himself as a Director in Bollywood for the movie “Ram Gopal Verma’s Road” later come the Iqbal. He is well-known for the movies, Chak De! India (2007), Baby (2015), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Padmaavat (2018), etc.
Rajeev Ravi:
He is an Indian cinematographer, director and producer. He started his career as a cinematographer in the film Chandni Bar (2001). He got the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for the movie Liar’s Dice (2014). He works mainly in Malayalam and Hindi films. Some of his notables are Udta Punjab (2016), Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), No Smoking (2007), Dev. D (2009), etc.
Balu Mahendra:
He was an Indian cinematographer, director, screenwriter, and film editor. He had received nearly six National Film Awards and some regional Filmfare Awards. He was recognized as one of the legendary cinematographers in Tamil cinema. To name some of his bests are Mullum Malarum (1978), Echchil Iravugal (1982), Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983), Jeevikkan Marannu Poya Sthree (1974).
They are just representatives of the other outstanding cinematographers in the field. We could still list thousands of movies that touched our heart and those are because of the cinematographer’s work. There are still ever-expanding opportunities in the Indian cinema, as people evolve, the perception of cinema also evolve simultaneously. It is the cinematographer’s responsibility to keenly work on audience’s needs.
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