Madhu Ambat

Madhu Ambat (born 6 March 1949) is an Indian cinematographer who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil-language films apart from a few English, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Sanskrit films. With a career spanning over 40 years, he is one of the most prolific cinematographers in Indian cinema. He is best known for his work in films such as Amaram, Anjali, and Makaramanju. He currently resides in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He has won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography thrice. He is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).

Madhu's father, K. Bhagyanath, resigned as a Professor of English to be a full-time magician. Bhagyanath was also an amateur photographer. Bhagyanath and his wife Sulochana believed that one should take the profession one liked best. Madhu got admission to IIT and at the same time, he was selected in Pune Film Institute. Despite all hindrances from their relatives, Madhu's parents allowed him to join the Film institute, and he sustained the faith of his parents in him by achieving a gold medal at the institute. All these helped Madhu take cinematography as his profession. Madhu, who started his career with a documentary for famous director Ramu Kariat, has been a cinematographer for over 250 films.

Filmography

1975 - Love Letter 1977 - Njaaval Pazhangal as Madhu-Shaji 1978 - Manushyan as Madhu-Shaji 1978 - Kudhira Motte 1978 - Nalegannu Maduvavaru 1978 - Prema Kama 1978 - Ithihasa 1978 - Saritha 1978 - Ashwathama 1978 - Yaro Oral 1979 - Hridhayathil Nee Mathram 1979 - Pichipoo 1980 - Oppol 1980 - Saraswathi Yaamam 1980 - Sooryante Maranum 1980 - Seetha 1982 - Lahari as Madhu-Shaji 1983 - Adi Shankaracharya 1983 - Phaniyamma (Kannada) 1984 - Sandhya Mayangum Neram 1984 - Swantham Sarika 1986 - Tabarana Kathe (Kannada) 1986 - Uppu 1987 - Swathi Thirunal 1988 - Vaishali 1989 - Vachanam 1990 - Anjali (Tamil) 1990 - Disha (Hindi) 1990 - Sutradhaarulu (Telugu) 1991 - Amaram 1992 - Daivathinte Vikrithikal, Rajashilpi 1992 - Praying with Anger (English) 1992 - Swaroopam 1993 - Bhagvad Gita (Sanskrit) 1993 - Magrib 1993 - Padheyam 1994 - Nammavar (Tamil) 1994 - Swami Vivekananda (English) 1994 - Amodini (Bengali) 1997 - Churam 1997 - Kulam 1997 - Bapa 1999 - Khoobsurat (Hindi) 1999 - Thammudu (Telugu) 2000 - Badri (Telugu) 2001 - Lajja (Hindi) 2003 - Anyar 2003 - Chupke Se (Hindi) 2003 - Avuna (Telugu) 2004 - Chanakya 2004 - 1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love - screenplay, direction, & cinematography 2004 - Pravahi (Documentary short) 2005 - June R (Tamil) 2006 - Aadum Koothu (Tamil) 2006 - Provoked: A True Story (English) 2007 - Shoot on Sight (English) 2007 - Sringaram (Tamil) 2008 - Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam 2009 - Kerala Cafe (segment "Makal") 2010 - Graamam 2010 - Hisss 2010 - Makaramanju 2011 - Adaminte Makan Abu 2012 - Kalikaalam 2013 - Kunjananthante Kada 2013 - Thee Kulikkum Pachai Maram (Tamil) 2014 - Namma Gramam (Tamil) 2014 - Sivappu (Tamil) 2015 - Pathemari 2018 - Pani - Fever 2018 - And the Oscar Goes To... 2020 - Itlu Amma 2023 - Appatha (Tamil) 2025 - Jora Kaiya Thattunga (Tamil) 2025 - Paranu Paranu Paranu Chellan 2025 - Mindiyum Paranjum

Awards National Film Awards 1984: Best Cinematography - Adi Sankaracharya (Sanskrit) 2006: Best Cinematography - Sringaram (Tamil) 2010: Best Cinematography - Adaminte Makan Abu (Malayalam)

Kerala State Film Awards 1978: Aswathama, Sooryante Maranam and Yaro Oral 1987: Purushartham, Swathi Thirunal 1990: Amaram 2018: Pani, And the Oscar Goes To

Nandi Awards 1990: Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer - Hrudayanjali

South Indian International Movie Awards 2012: SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer - Makaramanju

Asianet Film Awards 2012: Best Cinematographer - Adaminte Makan Abu 2013 - Asiavision Awards - Best Cinematographer