Madhu Neelakandan

Madhu Neelakandan, also spelled Madhu Neelakantan, is an Indian cinematographer and film producer known for his work in Malayalam and Bollywood cinema. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography in 2012 for Annayum Rasoolum and again in 2021 for Churuli. He is a member of Collective Phase One, a creative group responsible for films like ID and Njan Steve Lopez. Madhu pursued a PG diploma in cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

Born to Neelakandan and Radhamani, natives of Muvattupuzha, he studied at Kothamangalam M.A. Arts College. During his college years, he was involved with the Kothamangalam Sumangali Films Society. Recognizing his passion for cinema, Madhu followed the advice of senior members of the Film Society and joined the Pune Film Institute. After completing his cinematography course, he began working as an assistant cinematographer in Mumbai, handling various commercials. In 2002, he made his debut as an independent cinematographer with Saphala, directed by Ashok R. Nath. He later worked on films like Ivar by T.K. Rajeev Kumar and Vajram by Pramod Pappan. Madhu eventually settled in Mumbai, where he became an assistant to KU Mohanan and worked as a cinematographer’s assistant on Farhan Akhtar’s Don. He later returned to Malayalam cinema with Masters, directed by Johnny Antony. His work on Annayum Rasoolum earned him the 2012 State Award for Best Cinematography. Additionally, he contributed to the production of Rajeev Ravi’s Njan Steve Lopez.