K. V. Anand

Biography:

Karimanal Venkatesan Anand, born on October 30, 1966, was a multi-talented Indian cinematographer, film director, and photojournalist known for his work mainly in the Tamil film industry. Anand’s early life was marked by his educational pursuits, including a bachelor’s degree in Physics from DG Vaishnav College and a master’s degree in Visual Communications from Loyola College, Chennai. His passion for photography was ignited during college, where he participated in various photography contests and won numerous awards.

Anand began his career as a freelance photojournalist, contributing to esteemed publications like Kalki, India Today, and Illustrated Weekly. His striking photographs graced over 200 magazine covers and even captured moments with ten Chief Ministers up close. His foray into cinematography started when he joined P. C. Sreeram as an apprentice, assisting on various films. An opportunity came when he was recommended to work on the Malayalam film “Thenmavin Kombath” (1994), and this marked his debut as a cinematographer. His outstanding work in his first film earned him the National Film Award for Best Cinematography.

As a cinematographer, Anand worked on 14 films in multiple languages, showcasing his talent and innovation. Some notable collaborations include “Kadhal Desam” (1996) and “Mudhalvan” (2000). Anand transitioned to film directing with “Kana Kandaen” in 2005, which received critical acclaim. Despite his directorial success, he returned to cinematography to fulfill commitments for the Rajinikanth-starrer “Sivaji” in 2007, which was the most expensive Tamil film at that time. Anand continued to direct several successful films, including “Ayan” (2009), “Ko” (2011), “Maattrraan” (2012), “Anegan” (2015), “Kavan” (2017), and “Kaappaan” (2019).

Tragically, Karimanal Venkatesan Anand passed away on April 30, 2021, in Chennai due to a cardiac arrest, compounded by testing positive for COVID-19. His contributions to Indian cinema, both as a cinematographer and director, remain a significant part of his enduring legacy.