# Santosh Sivan

Santosh Sivan (born 8 February 1964) is an Indian cinematographer, film director, producer and actor known for his works in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi cinema. Santosh graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India and has, to date, completed 55 feature films and 50 documentaries. He is regarded as one of India's finest and best cinematographers. He is the recipient of the Pierre Angénieux Excellens in Cinematography, twelve National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards, four Kerala State Film Awards, and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

## Career

Santosh, a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers and the most awarded Director of Photography in India, graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India and completed 45 feature films and 41 documentaries.
As a director, Santosh won his first National Award 1988 for the Story of Tiblu (1988). His film Halo was honoured at the 43rd National Film Awards as the Best Children's Film and Best Sound.
Santosh became the first cinematographer in the Asia-Pacific region to join the American Society of Cinematographers. As a cinematographer, he has won five National Film Awards – including four for Best Feature Film Cinematography. As of 2014, he has received eleven National Film Awards, and 21 international awards for his works. He was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian cinema 2014.

### Late 1999s and present

In an interview, he said that some films he chose, not mostly because of the story but due to the very fact that he was comfortable with the director, a bigger pay check and out of friendship.

### Documentary

His 2007 release Prarambha won the National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film at the 55th National Film Awards.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Director | Producer | Cinematographer | Writer | Language | Notes |
| 1986 | Nidhiyude Katha | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1986 | Oru Maymasa Pulariyil | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1988 | Story of Tiblu | Yes | | Idu Mishmi | | | National Film Award for Best Short Fiction Film |
| 1988 | David David Mr. David | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1989 | New Year | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1989 | Raakh | | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 1990 | Varthamanakaalam | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Midhya | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Indrajaalam | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Sunday 7 PM | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | Dr. Pasupathy | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1990 | No.20 Madras Mail | | | Yes | | Malayalam | Second Unit Cameraman |
| 1990 | Appu | | | Yes | | Malayalam | Shot first schedule |
| 1991 | Perumthachan | | | Yes | | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Cinematography |
| 1991 | Thalapathi | | | Yes | | Tamil | |
| 1992 | Roja | | | Yes | | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer |
| 1992 | Aham | | | Yes | | Malayalam | Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography |
| 1992 | Yodha | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Gardish | | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 1993 | Gandharvam | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1994 | Pavithram | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1995 | Nirnayam | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 1995 | Barsaat | | | Yes | | Hindi | Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography |
| 1995 | Indira | | | Yes | | Tamil | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer |
| 1996 | Kalapani | | | Yes | | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Cinematography Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography |
| 1996 | Halo | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Hindi | National Film Award for Best Children's Film |
| 1997 | Iruvar | | | Yes | | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Cinematography Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil |
| 1997 | Darmiyan | | | Yes | | Hindi |
| 1998 | Dil Se.. | | | Yes | | Hindi | National Film Award for Best Cinematography Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography |
| 1998 | The Terrorist | Yes | | | Yes | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil |
| 1998 | Malli | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation |
| 1999 | Vanaprastham | | | Yes | | Malayalam | Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography – Malayalam |
| 2000 | Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani | | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 2000 | Pukar | | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 2000 | Fiza | | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 2001 | Asoka | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Hindi | Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography |
| 2003 | Tehzeeb | | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 2004 | Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities | | | Yes | | Hindi | Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography |
| 2004 | Aparichithan | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 2004 | Bride and Prejudice | | | Yes | | English | |
| 2005 | Anandabhadram | Yes | | Yes | | Malayalam | Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography |
| 2005 | Navarasa | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil |
| 2005 | The Mistress of Spices | | | Yes | | English | |
| 2007 | Prarambha | Yes | | | | Kannada | short film National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film |
| 2007 | Before the Rains | Yes | Yes | Yes | | English Malayalam | |
| 2008 | Tahaan | Yes | | | Yes | Hindi | Best feature film award, CIFEJ Award (Centre International du Film pour l' Enfant et la Jeunesse) UNICEF Award at 11th Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People, Greece |
| 2010 | Raavan | | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 2010 | Raavanan | | | Yes | | Tamil | |
| 2011 | Varnam | | Yes | | | Tamil | |
| 2011 | Urumi | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Malayalam | Best Director at the Imagine India International Film Festival, Madrid |
| 2011 | Indian Rupee | | Yes | | | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam |
| 2012 | Thuppakki | | | Yes | | Tamil | |
| 2013 | Rangrezz | | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 2013 | Ceylon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | English | |
| 2014 | Inam | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Tamil | |
| 2014 | Anjaan | | | Yes | | Tamil | |
| 2017 | The Great Father | | Yes | | | Malayalam | |
| 2017 | Spyder | | | Yes | | Telugu Tamil | Debut in Telugu cinema. |
| 2018 | Chekka Chivantha Vaanam | | | Yes | | Tamil | |
| 2020 | Darbar | | | Yes | | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Jack N' Jill | Yes | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| 2023 | Mumbaikar | Yes | | Yes | | Hindi | |
| 2024 | Olavum Theeravum | | | Yes | | Malayalam | Part of the anthology series Manorathangal |
| 2024 | Abhayam Thedi Veendum | Yes | | Yes | | Malayalam | Part of the anthology series Manorathangal |
| 2024 | Barroz | | | Yes | | Malayalam | |
| TBA | Kaliyugam † | Yes | | Yes | Yes | Malayalam | |
| TBA | Moha † | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | English | Official selection for International film festival rotterdam 2023 |

### As actor

| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
| 2011 | Makaramanju | Raja Ravi Varma | Malayalam | |
| 2012 | Thuppakki | | Tamil | Special appearance in the song "Google Google" |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Award Category | Notes | Ref. |
| 2014 | Civilian honours | Padma Shri | Art - Film | |

### National Film Awards

| Year | Film | Language | Category | Notes |
| 1988 | Story of Tiblu | English | National Film Award for Best Short Fiction Film | Short film director |
| 1990 | Perumthachan | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Cinematography | |
| 1991 | Mohiniyattam | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Cinematography | Short film |
| 1995 | Kalapani | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Cinematography | |
| 1996 | Halo | Hindi | National Film Award for Best Children's Film | Director |
| 1998 | The Terrorist | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil | Director |
| 1998 | Malli | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation | Director |
| 1997 | Iruvar | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Cinematography | |
| 1998 | Dil Se.. | Hindi | National Film Award for Best Cinematography | |
| 2004 | Navarasa | Tamil | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil | Director |
| 2008 | Prarambha | Kannada | National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film | Short film |
| 2011 | Indian Rupee | Malayalam | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Co-producer |

#### Kerala State Film Awards

* 1992 – Aham – Best Cinematography (Colour)
* 1996 – Kalapani – Best Cinematography
* 2005 – Anandabhadram – Best Cinematography

#### Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

* 1992 – Roja – Best Cinematography
* 1996 – Indira – Best Cinematography
* 2010 – Raavanan – Best Cinematography

#### Filmfare Awards

* 1995 – Barsaat – Best Cinematography
* 1998 – Dil Se.. – Best Cinematography
* 2000 – Halo – Best Film (Critics)
* 2001 – Asoka – Best Cinematography

#### Filmfare Awards South

* 1997 – Iruvar – Best Cinematographer – South
* 1999 – Vanaprastham – Best Cinematographer – South

#### IIFA Awards

* 2002 – Asoka – IFFA Best Cinematographer Award

#### Star Screen Awards

* 2005 – Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities – Best Cinematography

#### Zee Cine Awards

* 2005 – Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities – Best Cinematography

### International

Won:
* 1998 – The Terrorist – Best Director at Cairo International Film Festival
* 1998 – The Terrorist – Golden Pyramid at Cairo International Film Festival
* 1999 – Malli – Adult's Jury Award for Feature Film and Video (second place) at Chicago International Film Festival
* 1999 – The Terrorist – Grand Jury Prize at Cinemanila International Film Festival
* 1999 – The Terrorist – Lino Brocka Award for Best Film at Cinemanila International Film Festival
* 2000 – Malli– Poznan Goat for Best Director at 18th Ale Kino! International Young Audience Film Festival
* 2000 – The Terrorist – Panorama Jury Prize for Honorable Mention at Sarajevo Film Festival
* 2000 – Malli – Emerging Masters Showcase Award at Seattle International Film Festival Awards
* 2004 – Malli – Audience Award for Best Feature Film at Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles
* 2005 – Navarasa – Monaco International Film Festival (Monaco)
** Won – Best Supporting Actor – Bobby Darling
** Won – Angel Independent Spirit Award – Navarasa – Santosh Sivan
* 2008 – Before the Rains – Grand Award for Best Theatrical Feature at WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
* 2008 – Before the Rains – Crystal Kodak award for best cinematography.
* 2009 – Tahaan won a High Commendation in Children's Feature Film section at the 2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Nominated:
* 2001 – The Terrorist – Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film
* 2001 – The Terrorist – Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film