Ravi K. Chandran

Biography:

Ravi K. Chandran was born Kunjan Pillai and Padmini Amma as the seventh child in a Malay family and was raised in Madhurantakam. His eldest brother, cinematographer Ramachandra Babu, who attended the Pune Film School in the 1970s, was Ravi’s biggest influence and inspiration. Growing up in his 70s in the midst of the new wave of French cinema, Ravi was familiar with names like Truffaut and Godard from an early age. Ravi, who later became a part-time painter, joined his brother as a camera assistant to learn the technical side of the job.

In 1984, Ravi K. Chandran started his career in Malayalam cinema as an assistant to his brother and cinematographer Ramachandra Babu in his ISC and then his friend Rajiv in his Menon. He made his first break as a cinematographer with the Malayalam film ‘Kirkanpetty’ and climbed up to shoot the legendary Vilasat which won many awards in Ravi. Since then there has been no turning back.

He is a pioneer in using new equipment and cameras in the Indian film industry such as Akira Crane, Kino He Fluorite, Mall Beam, Hawk Lens, Sky Panel, Celebrity Light and Space Light. His “BLACK” films have been featured on the covers of American camera magazines, Kodak International Camera his calendar, and ALEXA camera brochures. His most famous works are Virasat, Dil Chafta Hai, Kannathir Musamittal, Kannezuti Potum Totu, Brak, Fanaa and Sawariya