Ravi Varman

S. Ravi Varman (born 9 May 1972) is an Indian cinematographer, filmmaker, producer and writer. He has predominantly worked in films of Indian languages such as Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi. Known for his realistic and poetic framing sense, Ravi Varman began his career in Malayalam films. He has directed a romantic film in Tamil titled Moscowin Kavery and also filmed the music video for the song "Bird Flu" by British Tamil songwriter M.I.A..

Not to be confused with Ravi Varma.
For 14th century warrior king of Quilon, Kerala, see Ravivarman Kulaśēkhara.

Ravi Varman
Varman in 2011
Born (1972-05-09) 9 May 1972
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
NationalityIndian
OccupationDirector of photography, Film Director
Years active1999—present

Early life

Ravi Varman was born in a village called Poyyoundarkudikkadu near Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. Varman lost his mother at a young age. Just before she died there was a wedding in his neighborhood and his mother’s image was accidentally captured by the wedding photographer in one of the photos. Varman went to the studio and asked for a picture to be enlarged and learnt what "out of focus" meant. Thus, he developed an interest in photography and grew up with a passion for watching movies – though at the time, he never considered working in film as a possible career.[1]

Career

He started his career by assisting cinematographer Ravi K Chandran. After working in Malayalam films since 1999 for three years, he worked in Bollywood for the film Yeh Dil in 2003. He later worked in the Telugu film Jai and received more offers in Hindi, such as Armaan, Bee Busthar, Ramji Londonwale, and Phir Milenge, His next project is going to be with Maniratnam.[2]

Though a Tamilian, it was not until 2002 when he started to work in Tamil films, with his first one being Susi Ganeshan's Five Star. He continued to work with popular directors as cinematographer in Tamil films, including S. Shankar's Anniyan, Gautham Menon's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, K. S. Ravikumar's Dasavathaaram and Villu, which was directed by Prabhu Deva.[3] Besides feature films, he has credit of working on more than 500 Television Commercials, Music Albums, Short Films and Documentary. Nonetheless, his flair for literature has led him to embark on writing for an on-line literary magazine 'Yavarum kelir' for Tamiz studio.

Awards and honours

Filmography

As director
  • Moscowin Kavery (2010)
  • Treasure Music Video (2011) Also as Cinematographer and Lyricist

As producer

Films
YearFilmLanguageNotes
1999 JalamarmaramMalayalam
2000 Sathyam Sivam SundaramMalayalam
2000 SanthamMalayalam
2001 ValliettanMalayalam
2001 Vakkalathu NarayanankuttyMalayalam
2002 Five StarTamil
2003 Yeh DilHindi
2003 JaiTelugu
2003 ArmaanHindi
2003 Kilichundan MampazhamMalayalam
2003 Bee BustharMalayalam
2004 Five by FourEnglish
2004 Phir MilengeHindi
2004 AutographTamil Collaborated with Vijay Milton
2005 AnniyanTamil Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South[lower-alpha 1]
2005 Ramji LondonwaleHindi
2006 Vettaiyaadu VilaiyaaduTamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer
2008 DasavathaaramTamil
2009 VilluTamil
2010 KandaharMalayalam Collaborated with Velraj
2011 BadrinathTelugu
2012 Barfi!Hindi
2013 Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-LeelaHindi Zee Cine Awards 2014 - Best Cinematography
2014 UgrammKannada
2015 TamashaHindi
2017 Kaatru VeliyidaiTamil Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards for Best Cinematography

Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer Behindwoods Gold Medal for Best Cinematographer

2017 Jagga JasoosHindi Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography
2017 HeartbeatsEnglish
2018 Sanju Hindi
2019 Mission Mangal Hindi
2019 Kolaambi Malayalam
TBA Bole Chudiyan Hindi
TBA Ponniyin Selvan Tamil Filming

As guest cinematographer
YearFilmLanguageNotes
1999 VaaliTamil
2001 MinnaleTamil 2 songs
2011 7aum ArivuTamil 1 Song

As partial cinematographer

Music videos

Documentaries
  • Child Environment

Legacy[4]

Ravi Varman is one of the finest cinematographer in India. Top stars like Shah Rukh Khan are ready to adjust their dates to work with Ravi.

SRK also advised his son Aryan to start his career by assisting Ravi Varman. He also directed a film (Moscowin Kavery).The film wasn't a great success at box office but the heroine he introduced, found her way to fame (Samantha).

Notes
  1. Jointly awarded with V. Manikandan

References
  1. "Interview with cinematographer Ravi Varman". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 22 February 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2011.
  2. https://raatnam.com/mani-ratnams-heads-overseas-for-a-marathon-shoot/
  3. "RAVI VARMAN - The Director, Cinematographer - Sunday special Interview on Dasavatharam Cinematographer Ravi Varman". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  4. https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/ravi-k-varman-on-how-he-become-a-cinematographer-and-why-mani-ratnam-is-his-favourite-director-7275941.html
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