# Ravi K. Chandran

Ravi K. Chandran is an Indian cinematographer and film director who predominantly works in Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil-language cinema. His career began in 1991 with the Malayalam film Kilukkampetti. He is the founding member 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, 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 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 “BLACK" movie 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, Kannathil Muthamittal, Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu, Black, Fanaa, and Saawariya. Ravi is also an ambassador for the Canon Cinema EOS.
Ravi's first Telugu film was with the Mahesh Babu starrer Bharat Ane Nenu. He later worked on Bheemla Nayak.
He has collaborated with director Mani Ratnam for the films like Kannathil Muthamittal, Aayutha Ezhuthu, Yuva and now is working on Thug Life (2024 film).

### 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

| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
| 1991 | Kilukkampetti | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Thalasthanam | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Manthrikacheppu | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Priyapetta Kukku | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Welcome to Kodaikanal | Malayalam | |
| 1992 | Kallan Kappalil Thanne | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Ekalavyan | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Mafia | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Arthana | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Injakkadan Mathai & Sons | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Customs Diary | Malayalam | |
| 1994 | Chukkan | |
| 1994 | Honest Raj | Tamil | Debut in Tamil cinema |
| 1994 | The City | Malayalam | |
| 1995 | Aksharam | Malayalam | |
| 1995 | The King | Malayalam | |
| 1997 | Virasat | Hindi | Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer; Debut in Hindi cinema |
| 1997 | Minsaara Kanavu | Tamil | Co-cinematographer |
| 1998 | Kabhi Na Kabhi | Hindi | |
| 1998 | Major Saab | Hindi | |
| 1999 | Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu | Malayalam | |
| 2000 | Snip! | Hindi | |
| 2000 | Kandukondain Kandukondain | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya | Hindi | |
| 2000 | Citizen | Tamil | |
| 2000 | Punaradhivasam | Malayalam | |
| 2001 | Dil Chahta Hai | Hindi | Nominated - Star Screen Award for Best Cinematography |
| 2002 | Kannathil Muthamittal | Tamil | Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil ITFA Best Cinematographer Award |
| 2002 | Mujhse Dosti Karoge! | Hindi | |
| 2003 | Calcutta Mail | Hindi | Nominated - Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography |
| 2003 | Koi... Mil Gaya | Hindi | |
| 2003 | Boys | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Aayutha Ezhuthu Yuva | Tamil Hindi | |
| 2005 | Black | Hindi | Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer |
| 2005 | Paheli | Hindi | |
| 2006 | Fanaa | Hindi | |
| 2007 | Saawariya | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Firaaq | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi | Hindi | German Public Bollywood Award for Best Cinematography |
| 2008 | Ghajini | Hindi | |
| 2010 | My Name Is Khan | Hindi | |
| 2010 | Anjaana Anjaani | Hindi | |
| 2011 | Ladies vs Ricky Bahl | Hindi | For One Song |
| 2011 | 7aum Arivu | Tamil | |
| 2012 | Agneepath | Hindi | |
| 2016 | Baar Baar Dekho | Hindi | |
| 2017 | Ok Jaanu | Hindi | |
| 2018 | Bharat Ane Nenu | Telugu | Debut in Telugu cinema |
| 2019 | Student of the Year 2 | Hindi | |
| 2019 | Adithya Varma | Tamil | |
| 2020 | Mrs. Serial Killer | Hindi | |
| 2020 | Coolie No. 1 | Hindi | |
| 2021 | Bhramam | Malayalam | |
| 2022 | Bheemla Nayak | Telugu | |
| 2025 | Thug Life † | Tamil | |
| 2025 | OG † | Telugu | |
| 2025 | Parasakthi † | Tamil | |

### As director

| Film | Year | Language | Notes |
| Yaan | 2014 | Tamil | Directorial debut |
| Bhramam | 2021 | Malayalam | Remake of Andhadhun |

## 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 - 7aum Arivu