Chezhiyan

Chezhiyan (1968 or 1969 – 10 July 2026) was an Indian filmmaker and director of photography who worked primarily in the Tamil film industry. He received critical acclaim for his work in Kalloori, Paradesi (2013) and To Let (2017).

Early life and education Chezhiyan was born in Sivaganga, Tamil Nadu, where he did his early schooling. His parents were primary school teachers. His father was an artist who drew and made toys with clay, and his mother was a storyteller and singer. He completed his diploma in civil engineering from Alagappa Chettiar College in Karaikudi. Chezhiyan was also interested in photography from an early age and enjoyed drawing and painting.

Career After completing his civil engineering degree, he began his career as an apprentice to P. C. Sreeram before establishing himself as a cinematographer. He worked as an assistant director in the film Thambi (2006). The film's cinematographer left the production after 60 days, so the film director Seeman asked him to double up as cinematographer. He then shot the climax and all the songs and worked for the remaining 30 days. His name was featured as "additional cinematographer" in Thambi. He then worked on S. Shankar's production Rettaisuzhi, on V. Gowthaman's Magizhchi and on Seenu Ramasamy's Thenmerku Paruvakaatru, the latter winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.

He received critical acclaim for his work in Bala's Paradesi (2013) and went on to win many awards, including the Best Cinematography Award at the 2013 BFI London Film Festival Awards.

Chezhiyan then worked on the thriller film Sawaari (2016), on Tharai Thappattai (2016) where he teamed up with director Bala for the second time, and the critically acclaimed film Joker (2016).

He made his directorial debut with To Let, produced by his wife Prema under the couple's own production company "La Cinema". The film, inspired by real-life incidents, portrayed the ordeal of a lower-middle-class family hunting for a rented house. At the 65th National Film Awards, it won in the category Best Feature Film in Tamil.

Death Chezhiyan died after a long illness in Tharamani, on 10 July 2026, at the age of 57.

Other work Chezhiyan received the Katha award for his short story Harmoniam in 2004. He has also authored a series of books on cinema titled Ulaga Cinema (World Cinema) in Tamil, and the series was published by the Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan between 2005 and 2007. The recognition earned him a two-year fellowship from the Department of Culture to explore the theme of imagery in short stories. He worked as a cinematographer in many documentaries, including A Little Dream (2008), a biographical docu-fiction about former Indian president A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, and a documentary about Tamil writer Jayakanthan.

Filmography

Feature films

Short films and documentaries Thiruvizha (2002) A Little Dream (2008) Ellaigalai Vistharitha Ezhuthu Kalaignan (2011)