V. Manikandan

Biography:

V. Manikandan is an Indian cinematographer and film director. He was born on 13 January 1968 , in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India. Manikandan has worked primarily in the Tamil film industry and is known for his unique visual storytelling style.

Manikandan began his career as a cinematographer and worked on several Tamil films, collaborating with directors like Balu Mahendra and Vetrimaaran. He gained recognition for his work as a cinematographer in the critically acclaimed film “Aaranya Kaandam” (2011), which won the Grand Jury Award for Best Film at the South Asian International Film Festival.

In 2014, Manikandan made his directorial debut with the Tamil film “Kaaka Muttai” (The Crow’s Egg). The film tells the story of two young boys from a slum in Chennai and their aspirations to taste pizza. “Kaaka Muttai” received widespread acclaim, both nationally and internationally, and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film. Manikandan’s direction and his ability to capture the innocence and struggles of the child actors were praised by critics.

Following the success of “Kaaka Muttai,” Manikandan directed the Tamil film “Kutrame Thandanai” (2016) and the Malayalam film “Aiyaa” (2019). He has demonstrated his versatility as a filmmaker by exploring different genres and themes in his work.

V. Manikandan is regarded as a talented filmmaker known for his storytelling skills and visual aesthetics. His films often address social issues and portray realistic portrayals of life. He continues to contribute to the Tamil film industry with his distinctive directorial style.