A. Natarajan Subramaniam

Biography:

Natarajan Subramanian, known by the moniker “Natty,” is an Indian cinematographer primarily recognized for his work in Tamil films. He has also ventured into acting in Tamil cinema, gaining prominence for his portrayal of a con artist in “Sathuranga Vettai” (2014).

Born into a Tamil-speaking family, Natarajan developed a passion for photography early on and left school at the age of 18. Opting for various odd jobs to support his interest, he worked as a still photographer at weddings and then transitioned to being a videographer at events. Despite a brief stint assisting cinematographer B. R. Vijayalakshmi, Natarajan initially struggled to break into the film industry. He focused on documentaries, gradually moving on to commercials and music videos. His work on the music band Euphoria’s debut album garnered positive feedback. Director Ram Gopal Varma introduced him to Anurag Kashyap, leading to collaborations on Hindi films like “Last Train to Mahakali” (1999), “Paanch” (2003), and “Black Friday” (2004). Concurrently, he worked on Tamil films like “Youth” (2002) and contemplated participation in AR Murugadoss’s “Ramanaa” (2001), ultimately withdrawing from the project.

While contributing to both Tamil and Hindi cinema, Natarajan’s primary focus remained on cinematography for successful Hindi films like “Jab We Met” (2007), “Golmaal Returns” (2008), “Raanjhanaa” (2013), and “Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty” (2014).

Parallel to his cinematography career, Natarajan embraced acting in Tamil films, particularly in smaller-budget productions. He debuted in his friend Uday Mahesh’s films, “Naalai” (2006) and “Chakkara Viyugam” (2008). Subsequently, he appeared in action-oriented movies targeted at rural audiences like “Milaga” (2010) and “Muthukku Muthaaga” (2011), receiving mixed responses. In 2014, his role in the Tamil heist film “Sathuranga Vettai” garnered acclaim, marking a turning point in his acting career. Natarajan’s performance as Gandhi Babu was praised for his use of expression and body language.

Natarajan’s acting journey continued with roles in various films, including “Katham Katham” (2015), “Enkitta Mothathe,” “Bongu,” and “Richie” (all in 2017), “Namma Veettu Pillai” (2019), “Sandimuni” and “Godfather” (both in 2020), and “Walter” (2020), among others. In Mari Selvaraj’s “Karnan” (2021), he portrayed the ruthless cop Kannabiran.

Throughout his career, Natarajan has exhibited his versatility as both a cinematographer and an actor, contributing to the Tamil film industry in various capacities.