Divakar Mani

Biography:

Divakar Mani is an accomplished cinematographer hailing from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, and is an integral part of the Indian film industry. His primary focus has been on Telugu cinema, where his works have gained popularity and achieved success at the box office. With experience in Bollywood, Tollywood, and Kollywood, he is known for his unique approach to work and his penchant for gathering life experiences. Beyond being an award-winning cinematographer, he has also documented impactful events such as tsunamis and wars as a photojournalist. His portfolio includes shooting advertisements featuring prominent celebrities like ‘Aamir Khan’ and ‘Ranbir Kapoor’.

A recipient of a gold medal from the Film Institute of Chennai, Divakar Mani embarked on his cinematography journey by assisting the accomplished cinematographer ‘Santosh Sivan’, a member of the American Society of Cinematography for six consecutive years.

His cinematography credits encompass diverse films, including the Bollywood movie ‘Jugni,’ the Telugu film ‘Keshava’ (2017), and a Malayalam film directed by Priyadarshan. Notable among his works is ‘Ceylon,’ directed by Santosh Sivan, which showcased his unconventional and distinctive cinematographic style. This style often deviates from the colorful norms of the field, instead favoring a darker, moodier atmosphere that complements the film’s themes.

In his career, Divakar Mani has contributed his cinematic vision to films like ‘Ninnila Ninnila’ (2021), ‘Super Over’ (2021), ‘Ranarangam’ (2019), and ‘Iyatta: Class’ (2016). His 2021 release ‘Yuddham Tho Rasina Prema Katha’ achieved success at the box office. He notably lent his cinematographic skills to the hit film ‘Viraata Parvam,’ featuring a renowned Telugu actor.

Recognized for his work in films such as ‘Thuppakki’ (2012), ‘Urumi: The Warrior who wanted to Kill Vasco Da Gama’ (2011), ‘Inam’ (2014), and ‘Rangrezz’ (2013), Divakar Mani’s expertise spans both camera work and overseeing the electrical department.

His contributions extend beyond the realm of films. Divakar Mani received the Best Cinematography award from the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber. He has collaborated on more than 100 advertisements, produced numerous documentaries, and held a significant role as a video journalist at NDTV for seven years.

His extensive coverage includes events like the wars in Lebanon and Sri Lanka, as well as the aftermath of the Gujarat riots and the Andaman tsunami. His documentary ‘Killing Fields,’ centered on the Naxalites, earned him the Common Wealth Broadcast Asia Award and a fellowship for digital filmmaking studies at the New York Academy. His far-reaching career has taken him to over 39 countries, where he documented various facets of life, from the aftermath of calamities to the intricacies of wine manufacturing in Italy’s vineyards.

His unique perspective captures life’s shades of gray, and his commitment to candid storytelling is evident in his work. One memorable instance is his coverage of the Bombay train blast, where he spent a night at the Matunga Railway station amidst the aftermath, with bodies still present.