With Malayali cinematographer Sudeep Elamon ("Ayyappanum Koshiyum", "Jana Gana Mana") making his Tamil debut with A.R. Murugadoss' Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Madharaasi, 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 other language 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).
Girish Gangadharan
He may be most popular for his hyperkinetic work in Lijo Jose Pellissery's Angamaly Diaries and Jallikattu, but Girish 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.