From Santosh Sivan to Girish Gangadharan: Malayali cinematographers making their mark outside Kerala

With Malayali cinematographer Sudeep Elamon ("Ayyappanum Koshiyum", "Jana Gana Mana") making his Tamil debut with A.R. Murugadoss' Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Madharashi, we look at other Malayali cinematographers who made a mark outside Kerala. 

Venu

A National Film Award winner, Venu has worked in acclaimed Tamil films like 'Gunaa', 'Minsara Kanavu',  the Bengali film 'Swapner Din', and the Hindi film 'Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women'

Santosh Sivan

A recipient of multiple National Film Awards (for Best Cinematography in 'Iruvar' and 'Dil Se') and Kerala State Film Awards, Santosh Sivan shot Aamir Khan's 'Raakh', Mani Ratnam's 'Roja', 'Thalapathi', 'Iruvar', 'Raavanan', 'Dil Se', and AR Murugadoss' 'Thuppakki' and 'Spyder', among others.

Rajeev Ravi

Another National award winner, Rajeev Ravi is a frequent collaborator of Anurag Kashyap, having worked on films like 'Gangs of Wasseypur', 'Dev.D', 'No Smoking', and 'Gulaal', among others. He also shot Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Chandni Bar'.

Madhu Neelakandan

A Kerala State Film Award winner, the veteran has shot films directed by Rajeev Ravi, Lijo Jose Pellissery, Bejoy Nambiar, and Sriram Raghavan. Notable films include I.D. (Hindi), Solo (Malayalam-Tamil), and Merry Christmas (Hindi-Tamil).

Sanu Varghese

Sanu Varghese has worked in Kamal Haasan's Tamil two-part action saga 'Vishwaroopam', Hindi films 'Badhaai Ho' and 'Lootcase', Telugu films 'Jersey', 'Hi Nanna', 'Shyam Singha Roy' and 'HIT: The Third Case'

Ravi K. Chandran

The acclaimed cinematographer shot Priyadarshan's 'Virasat' (Hindi), Rajiv Menon's 'Kandukondain Kandukondain' (Tamil), Farhan Akhtar's 'Dil Chahta Hai' (Hindi), Mani Ratnam's 'Kannathil Muthamittal' (Tamil), and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black', and much more.

Rajiv Menon

The director of 'Minsara Kanavu' (shot by Venu and Ravi K. Chandran) and 'Kandukondain Kandukondain' previously worked as a cinematographer, in Girish Karnad's Hindi-language film 'Cheluvi' and Mani Ratnam's 'Bombay', 'Guru' and 'Kadal'. 

K.U. Mohanan

Father of actress Malavika Mohanan, K.U. Mohanan has shot some of Hindi cinema's most enjoyable entertainers, notably 'Andhadhun', Farhan Akhtar's 'Don', Reema Kagti's 'Talaash: The Answer Lies Within', and Ashim Ahluwalia's 'Miss Lovely'.

Sujith Sarang

The cinematographer has been more active in other languages, with notable work in ‘Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru’ (Tamil), ‘Dear Comrade’ (Telugu), and ‘Bloody Beggar’ (Tamil).

Gireesh Gangadharan

He may be most popular for his hyperkinetic work in Lijo Jose Pellissery's 'Angamaly Diaries' and 'Jallikattu', but Gireesh has also proven his talents in quiet, intimate Malayalam dramas. Shot Vikram (Tamil), Coolie (Tamil), and Kingdom (Telugu, with Jomon T. John).

Jomon T. John 

Jomon, too, has demonstrated his finesse in films of varying scale. In Malayalam, he has worked in 'Ennu Ninte Moideen', 'Thanneer Mathan Dinangal', and 'Ajayante Randam Moshanam'. In Tamil,  he shot the Kalidas Jayaram-fronted segment 'Thangam' from the anthology 'Paava Kadhaigal'. In Hindi, he seems to be a favourite of Rohit Shetty.

Nimish Ravi

In Malayalam, Nimish showcased stellar work in 'Luca', 'Kurup', 'King of Kotha', and 'Rorschach'. He wowed Telugu audiences with his work in Venky Atluri's 'Lucky Bhaskar', starring Dulquer Salmaan (his lucky charm?). Another Atluri film, with Suriya, is in the works.