Gnana Shekar V.S.

Gnana Shekar V. S ISC. (born 1 June 1979) is an Indian cinematographer and painter. He marked his beginning with his student film titled Tetris which was an official selection at Cinéfondation, Cannes Film Festival. He gained critical recognition from his debut itself, as an independent cinematographer, with Vedam. His work is noted for its realistic approach. In 2017, his work in Gautamiputra Satakarni received accolades and rave reviews for the unique way of painting the canvas of the silver screen using natural flame.

Early life and education

Gnana Shekar's education was an irony. Being the son of a teacher, he never had an experience of schooling. He was a curious kid who picked up on his father's collection of literature. At an early age, his imagination took a swirl when he stumbled upon an illustrated magazine which evoked a sense of visualization in him.

As a fine arts student, he was influenced by great masters such as Vincent van Gogh and Niko Pirosmani, inspiring him to create intense spiritual artworks, in which he married a modernist sense of perspective with an authentic form. Though his first love was painting, later during a course, he wanted to mould his skill into photography.

Art career

Painting the screen apart, Gnana Shekar has another love – painting the canvas. Blessed with a flair for the fine arts, the cinematographer showcased a collection of his works at Park Hyatt Hyderabad on 18 April 2015 and attended by the Art Lovers in the city.

Gnana will be exhibiting a new series of his paintings, on faces, in Georgia, where his favourite filmmaker Sergei Parajanov and painter Niko Pirosmani are from.

Gnana Shekar fond of acrylic colours. never uses a paint brush to paint. he paints with a thumb, it makes him feel more connected. He has also begun using computer generated graphic art, using geometric shapes to create a reflection of life.

Filmography

Short films and documentaries

Year Film Director Notes 2005 Here Is My Nocturne Anirban Dutta Screened in major Indian film festivals. Also been screened as a part of an exhibition on Indian art and popular culture in the Helsinki City art Museum, Finland. 2006 Tetris Anirban Dutta Official selection at Cinéfondation, Cannes Film Festival 2006 2007 Setu Shyamal Karmakar Official selection at 54th International Short Film Festival, Oberhausen - 2008 and won a special mention. 2007 Ranu Shyamal Karmakar Screened at Mumbai International Film Festival and International Film Festival of Kerala 2014 Chronicles of a Temple Painter Shravan Katikaneni Won Best Documentary award at IDSFFK - 2014, Thiruvananthapuram

As a cinematographer

Year Film Language Notes 2010 Vedam Telugu 2011 Dhada Vaanam Tamil 2012 Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum Telugu 2014 Nuvvala Nenila 2015 Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju Dagudumootha Dandakor Kanche Maj Rati Keteki Assamese 2016 Majnu Telugu 2017 Gautamiputra Satakarni 2018 Antariksham 9000 KMPH 2019 Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Hindi N.T.R: Kathanayakudu Telugu N.T.R: Mahanayakudu 2021 Gamanam 2023 IB71 Hindi 2024SheeshmahalTeluguManamey Jithender Reddy 2025 Hari Hara Veera Mallu Telusu Kada 2026 Nari Nari Naduma Murari

Television