# Tirru

S. Thirunavukarasu (born 21 July 1966), better known mononymously as Tirru, is an Indian cinematographer and screenwriter who has worked in multiple languages across India. Born in Mullukuruchi village, Tirru became interested in photography when he was in college.
He gained recognition through collaborations with Kamal Haasan, contributing pioneering techniques in Indian cinema. His cinematography on 24 (2016), won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography.

## Personal life

Tirru was born on 21 July 1966 in Mullukuruchi village, Namakkal. He became interested in photography while studying science in college. He assisted by his cousin, a dentist by profession, in the latter's passion for nature photography.

## Film career

He co-wrote the screenplay of the Malayalam film Mission 90 Days with director Major Ravi. He is also known for television commercials.

### Debut as cinematographer (1993)

Tirru began his career by assisting cinematographer P.C. Sreeram, working on four films during this period. Tirru's last project as an assistant was the film Thevar Magan (1992), which caught the attention of Kamal Haasan. This led to Tirru's first project as a cinematographer for Magalir Mattum (1994), directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and produced by Kamal Haasan.
Srinivasa Rao wasn't used to working with newcomers and had doubts at first but Tirru convinced him with his technical skills in the opening shots. Kamal Haasan's faith in Tirru played a big role during his debut. During the filming of KT Kunjumon's Tamil movie Sakthi in 1997, the shoot was set in Pollachi. In one particular scene featuring charging wild elephants, Tirru and his assistant were on a 45-foot-high crane to shoot a scene. Unfortunately, the situation took a dangerous turn as still photographer Rajesh recounts, "Somehow, the mahouts lost control of the elephants, and they came charging towards the crane. We knew that if they hit the crane, we would fall to our deaths." to Cinema Express.

### Collaboration with Kamal Haasan (1993–2001)

Early in his career, Tirru and Kamal Haasan has collaborated on four films, Magalir Mattum (1994), Kaathala Kaathala (1998), Hey Ram (2000) and Aalavandhan (2001). Aalavandhan pioneered the use of a motion control rig in India for capturing picture movement and Tirru was the first cinematographer to introduce it. Aalavandhan was also the first film to use animation sequences in the Indian film industry.

### Post national award (2018–present)

In 2018, Karthik Subbaraj reached out to Tirru for the silent film Mercury as he wanted an experienced cinematographer capable of conveying a narrative without relying on dialogue. They worked on the pre-production planning for three months to address the challenges posed by the film's silent nature and unconventional genre.
In 2019, Tirru and Karthik Subbaraj collaborated again on the action-drama film Petta starring Rajinikanth. This was Tirru's first collaboration with Rajinikanth and it was a long-held dream of his as he had missed an opportunity previously to be the cinematographer of Enthiran (2010) directed by Shankar.
Tirru debuted in Kannada cinema with the action thriller Twenty One Hours (2022) directed by debutant Jaishankar Pandit. Jai Sankar has worked with Tirru on multiple television advertisements.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
| 1994 | Magalir Mattum | Tamil | Debut as cinematographer |
| 1997 | Sakthi | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Kaathala Kaathala | Tamil | |
| 1998 | Manjeeradhwani | Malayalam | Debut in Malayalam |
| 2000 | Hey Ram | Tamil Hindi | Debut in Hindi |
| 2000 | Champion | Hindi | |
| 2001 | Little John | Tamil Hindi English | |
| 2001 | Aalavandhan Abhay | Tamil Hindi | |
| 2002 | 23rd March 1931: Shaheed | Hindi | |
| 2003 | Lesa Lesa | Tamil | |
| 2003 | Hungama | Hindi | |
| 2003 | Punarjani | Malayalam | |
| 2003 | Mullavalliyum Thenmavum | Malayalam | |
| 2005 | Garam Masala | Hindi | |
| 2005 | Kyon Ki | Hindi | |
| 2006 | Chup Chup Ke | Hindi | |
| 2006 | Keerthi Chakra | Malayalam | |
| 2007 | Kireedam | Tamil | Also featured segments shot by Nirav Shah |
| 2007 | Mission 90 Days | Malayalam | Also writer |
| 2007 | Bhool Bhulaiyaa | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Kanchivaram | Tamil | 1st Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography |
| 2009 | Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani | Hindi | |
| 2010 | Aakrosh | Hindi | |
| 2012 | Tezz | Hindi | |
| 2013 | Krrish 3 | Hindi | |
| 2013 | Geethaanjali | Malayalam | |
| 2016 | 24 | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Cinematography |
| 2016 | Janatha Garage | Telugu | Debut in Telugu |
| 2017 | Vanamagan | Tamil | |
| 2018 | Mercury | Tamil | 1st of 3 collaborations with Karthik Subbaraj |
| 2018 | Bharat Ane Nenu | Telugu | Also features segments shot by Ravi K. Chandran |
| 2018 | Fanney Khan | Hindi | |
| 2019 | Petta | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Eeswaran | Tamil | |
| 2021 | Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea | Malayalam | |
| 2022 | Acharya | Telugu | |
| 2022 | Twenty One Hours | Kannada Malayalam | |
| 2023 | Jigarthanda DoubleX | Tamil | |
| 2025 | Game Changer | Telugu | |
| 2025 | Sikandar | Hindi | Filming |

## Awards

Awards and nominations received by Tirru :
| Award | Year | Category | Work(s) | Result |
| 7th Annual Screen Awards | 2000 | Best Cinematography | Hey Ram | Nominated |
| Kerala Film Critics Association Awards | 2003 | Best Cinematography | Mullavalliyum Thenmavum | Won |
| V. Shantharam Award | 2008 | Best Cinematography | Kanchivaram | Won |
| Filmfare Awards | 2008 | Best Cinematography | Kanchivaram | Won |
| Filmfare Awards | 2016 | Best Cinematography | 24 | Won |
| National Film Awards | 2016 | Best Cinematography | 24 | Won |