Ravi K. Chandran

Ravi K. Chandran is an Indian cinematographer and film director who predominantly works in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu-language cinema. His career began in 1991 with the Malayalam film Kilukkampetti. He is one of the founding members of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC) and has won two Filmfare Awards and one Southern Filmfare Award.

Early life Ravi was born as the 7th child in a Malayali family to Kunjan Pillai and Padmini Amma and was brought up in Maduranthakam. His eldest brother, cinematographer Ramachandra Babu, who went to the Pune Film Institute in the seventies was the major influence and inspiration for Ravi. Growing up in the 70s, amidst the new wave of French cinema, names like Truffaut and Gordard became familiar to Ravi when he was very young. Latter part time closet painter, Ravi joined his brother as an assistant cinematographer, learning the technical aspects of the job.

Career In 1984, Ravi started his career working in Malayalam films as an assistant to his brother and cinematographer, Ramachandra Babu, and later with his friend, Rajiv Menon. He got his first break as a cinematographer in the Malayalam film Kilukkampetti and worked his way up until he shot the legendary Virasat (1997), which won many awards for Ravi. Since then there has been no looking back. He is a pioneer in using new equipment and cameras in the Indian film industry like the akila crane, kino flo lights, mole beams, hawk lenses, sky panels, celeb lights, and space lights. His work in Black (2005) was featured in an American cinematographer's magazine. Kodak international cinematographer calendar, and the cover of the ALEXA camera brochure.

His best-known works are Virasat, Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu, Black, Fanaa (2006), and Saawariya (2007). Ravi is also an ambassador for the Canon Cinema EOS.

Directorial debut Ravi's directorial debut was the 2014 Tamil film Yaan.

Personal life

Ravi is the younger brother of K. Ramachandra Babu, who himself is a noted cinematographer. He is married to Hemalata and currently resides in Mumbai with his two sons. One of his sons, Santhana Krishnan, also followed his father's footsteps as a cinematographer.

Filmography

As cinematographer

As director

Awards and nominations Filmfare Awards/Filmfare Awards South 1998: Best Cinematographer - Virasat 2002: Best Cinematographer – Tamil - Kannathil Muthamittal 2006: Best Cinematographer - Black

Star Screen Awards 2002: Nominated, Star Screen Award for Best Cinematography - Dil Chahta Hai

Zee Cine Awards 2004: Nominated, Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography - Yuva 2004: Nominated, Best Cinematography - Calcutta Mail

Vijay Awards 2011: Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Cinematography - 7 Aum Arivu