Ravi Varman
Encyclopedia
Varman, ISC, is a celebrated Director Of Photography of India. He has shot many award-winning films in Indian languages of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English. Known for his realistic picturization and poetic framing sense, Ravi Varman began his career in Malayalam films. A well-known writer in Tamil fiction and non fiction, he has also directed a romantic film in Tamil titled Moscowin Kavery.He also filmed the music video for the song "Bird Flu
" by British Tamil songwriter M.I.A.
.
Ravi
, 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.
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
, as well as the Indian English
film Five Five Four.
Though a Tamilian
, it was not until 2004 when he started to work in Tamil
films, with his first one being the critically acclaimed film, Autograph, directed by Cheran
. 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 Dasavathaaramand Villu
, which was directed by Prabhu Deva.
Bird Flu (song)
"Bird Flu" is an urumee melam song recorded by the Sri Lankan Tamil songwriter M.I.A.. It was released in 2006 and appears on her second studio album Kala, released in 2007....
" by British Tamil songwriter M.I.A.
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
.
Ravi
Early life
Ravi Varman was born in a village called Poyyoundarkudikkadu near Thanjavur, Tamil NaduTamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, 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.
Career
After working in Malayalam films since 1999 for three years, he worked in BollywoodBollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
for the film Yeh Dil
Yeh Dil
Yeh Dil is a 2003 Indian film starring Tusshar Kapoor and Anita Hassanandani. This movie proved to be one of the biggest disasters of 2003. It is a remake of the 2001 hit Telugu movie 'Nuvvu nenu' starring Uday Kiran and Anita Hassanandani....
in 2003. He later worked in the Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
film Jai and received more offers in Hindi, such as Armaan
Armaan (2003 film)
Armaan is an Hindi Bollywood film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Gracy Singh, and Randhir Kapoor. The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. This is the first time for Preity Zinta to play a vampish role. She received a Filmfare nomination for Best Villain.- Plot...
, Bee Busthar, Ramji Londonwale
Ramji Londonwale
Ramji Londonwaley is a Hindi language film starring R. Madhavan in the lead role. Amitabh Bachchan guest stars. It is a remake of the Tamil film, Nala Damayanthi. The film was previously titled Bawarchi....
, and Phir Milenge
Phir Milenge
Phir Milenge is a 2004 Bollywood movie starring Shilpa Shetty, Salman Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. The film is directed by South Indian actress Revathi. The film touched on the subject of AIDS...
, as well as the Indian English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
film Five Five Four.
Though a Tamilian
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
, it was not until 2004 when he started to work in Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
films, with his first one being the critically acclaimed film, Autograph, directed by Cheran
Cheran (director)
Cheran is a Tamil film director from Tamil Nadu, India. He has won the Indian National Film Award thrice for Vetri Kodi Kattu , Autograph , and Thavamai Thavamirundhu . Besides he is three-time Filmfare Award winner as well....
. He continued to work with popular directors as cinematographer in Tamil films, including S. Shankar
S. Shankar
Shankar is an Indian film director and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. He made his directional debut in Gentleman for which he was awarded the Filmfare Best Director Award...
's Anniyan
Anniyan
Anniyan is a 2005 Tamil psychological thriller film directed by S. Shankar. The film stars Vikram, Sadha, Prakash Raj, and Vivek, while featuring background score and soundtrack composed by Harris Jayaraj. The film was released worldwide on 10 June 2005....
, Gautham Menon
Gautham Menon
Gautham Vasudev Menon is an Indian film director and producer. Mainly working in Tamil cinema, he has also directed Hindi and Telugu films which are remakes of his Tamil films...
's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu
Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu
The soundtrack of the film consists of 5 songs, composed by Harris Jayaraj and the songs were appreciated very much as soon as the audio was launched. Behindwoods was highly pleased with the album commenting,"The album has not let down expectations. It is the usual mix by Harris...
, K. S. Ravikumar
K. S. Ravikumar
K. S. Ravikumar is an Indian film director and actor, primarily working in Tamil cinema. He has directed numerous films ranging from comedy and drama to action thrillers. His film Dasavathaaram went on to gross $16 million worldwide in the first four weeks and eventually became one of the...
's Dasavathaaramand Villu
Villu (film)
Villu is a 2009 Tamil film directed by Prabhu Deva. The film stars Joseph Vijay in a dual role while Nayantara and Prakash Raj play other prominent roles. Manoj K. Jayan, Vadivelu, Adithya, Geetha, and Ranjitha play supporting roles whilst Prabhu Deva, Mumaith Khan, Zabyn Khan, and Kushboo Sundar...
, which was directed by Prabhu Deva.
Awards and honours
- Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award for AnniyanAnniyanAnniyan is a 2005 Tamil psychological thriller film directed by S. Shankar. The film stars Vikram, Sadha, Prakash Raj, and Vivek, while featuring background score and soundtrack composed by Harris Jayaraj. The film was released worldwide on 10 June 2005....
(2006) - Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best CinematographerTamil Nadu State Film Award for Best CinematographerThe Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer is given by the state government as part of its annual Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
for Vettaiyaadu VilaiyaaduVettaiyaadu VilaiyaaduThe soundtrack of the film consists of 5 songs, composed by Harris Jayaraj and the songs were appreciated very much as soon as the audio was launched. Behindwoods was highly pleased with the album commenting,"The album has not let down expectations. It is the usual mix by Harris...
(2007) - ITFA Best Cinematographer AwardITFA Best Cinematographer AwardThe ITFA Best Cinematographer Award is given by the state government as part of its annual International Tamil Film Awards for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won....
for Dasavathaaram (2009)
As director
- Moscowin Kavery (2010)
Films
- Badrinath (2011) (filming)
- Kandahar Malayalam (2010)
- Nandhe Telugu (2010) (Filming)
- VilluVillu (film)Villu is a 2009 Tamil film directed by Prabhu Deva. The film stars Joseph Vijay in a dual role while Nayantara and Prakash Raj play other prominent roles. Manoj K. Jayan, Vadivelu, Adithya, Geetha, and Ranjitha play supporting roles whilst Prabhu Deva, Mumaith Khan, Zabyn Khan, and Kushboo Sundar...
Tamil (2009) - Dasavathaaram Tamil (2008)
- Vettaiyaadu VilaiyaaduVettaiyaadu VilaiyaaduThe soundtrack of the film consists of 5 songs, composed by Harris Jayaraj and the songs were appreciated very much as soon as the audio was launched. Behindwoods was highly pleased with the album commenting,"The album has not let down expectations. It is the usual mix by Harris...
Tamil (2006) - AnniyanAnniyanAnniyan is a 2005 Tamil psychological thriller film directed by S. Shankar. The film stars Vikram, Sadha, Prakash Raj, and Vivek, while featuring background score and soundtrack composed by Harris Jayaraj. The film was released worldwide on 10 June 2005....
Tamil (2005) - Autograph Tamil (2004)
- Phir MilengePhir MilengePhir Milenge is a 2004 Bollywood movie starring Shilpa Shetty, Salman Khan and Abhishek Bachchan. The film is directed by South Indian actress Revathi. The film touched on the subject of AIDS...
Hindi (2004) - Ramji LondonwaleRamji LondonwaleRamji Londonwaley is a Hindi language film starring R. Madhavan in the lead role. Amitabh Bachchan guest stars. It is a remake of the Tamil film, Nala Damayanthi. The film was previously titled Bawarchi....
Hindi (2004) - Five Five Four English (2004)
- Five StarFive StarFive Star are a British pop / R&B group, formed in 1983. Comprising siblings Stedman, Lorraine, Denise, Doris and Delroy Pearson, they were known for their flamboyant image, matching costumes and heavily choreographed dance routines...
Tamil (2004) - Bee Busthar Malayalam (2003)
- Kilichundan Mambazham Malayalam (2003)
- ArmaanArmaan (2003 film)Armaan is an Hindi Bollywood film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Gracy Singh, and Randhir Kapoor. The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. This is the first time for Preity Zinta to play a vampish role. She received a Filmfare nomination for Best Villain.- Plot...
Hindi (2003) - Jai (2003)
- Yeh DilYeh DilYeh Dil is a 2003 Indian film starring Tusshar Kapoor and Anita Hassanandani. This movie proved to be one of the biggest disasters of 2003. It is a remake of the 2001 hit Telugu movie 'Nuvvu nenu' starring Uday Kiran and Anita Hassanandani....
Hindi (2002) - Vakkalathu Narayanan KuttyMalayalam (2001)
- Santham Malayalam (2000)
- Valyettan Malayalam (2000)
- Sathyam Shivam Sundaram Malayalam (1999)
- Jalamarmaram Malayalam (1999)