Ravi K. Chandran

Ravi K. Chandran is an Indian cinematographer and film director known for his works in Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil-language cinema. He is the founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC). His most recognized works are Minsaara Kanavu (1997), Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), Citizen (2001), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Boys (2003), Aayitha Ezhuthu (2004) in Tamil cinema, Ekalavyan (1993), The King (1995), Mafia (1993), Punaradhivasam (1999) and Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (1999) in Malayalam cinema.

His best known works in Bollywood are Virasat (1997), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Yuva (2004), Paheli (2004), Black (2005), Fanaa (2006), and Saawariya (2007). Ravi has won two Filmfare Awards and one Southern Filmfare Award.

In 1984 Ravi K.Chandran started his career working in Malayalam films as an assistant to his brother, cinematographer, Ramachandra Babu ISC and later with his friend Rajiv Menon. He got his first break as a cinematographer in a Malayalam film Kilukkampetti. and worked his way up until he shot the legendary Virasat which won many awards to Ravi . Since then there is no looking back . He is a pioneer in using new equipments and cameras in to the indian film industry like akila crane ,kino flo lights , mole beams ,hawk lenses ,sky panels , celeb lights ,space lights . His “ BLACK movie was featured in american cinematographer magazine . Kodak international cinematographer calendar , and the cover of the ALEXA camera brochure.

Ravi was born as the 7th child in a Malayali family to Kunjan Pillai and Padmini Amma and brought up in Maduranthakam .His eldest brother cinematographer Ramachandra Babu , who went to Pune Film Institute in the seventies was the major influence and inspiration for Ravi . Growing up in 70's, amidst of the new wave french cinema, names like Truffaut and Gordard become 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.