Ravi Varman

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For 14th century warrior king of Quilon, Kerala, see Ravivarman Kulaśēkhara.

Ravi Varman
File:Ravi Varman.JPG
Varman in 2011
Born
Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupations
  • Cinematographer
  • filmmaker
  • producer
  • writer
Years active1999—present

S. Ravi Varman ISC is an Indian cinematographer, filmmaker, producer and writer. He predominantly works in Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi film industries. Varman began his career in Malayalam cinema. He directed a romantic film in Tamil titled Moscowin Kavery (2010). He is an honorary member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AM-pass).[1] He was awarded the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for his work in Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022).

Early life

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Ravi was born in a village named Poyyundarkudikadu near Pattukottai in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India.[2][3] Ravi adopted his surname inspired by the Chola kings Arunmozhi Varman and Kulothunga Varman.[4] His interest in photography and cinematography developed during his formative years, as he studied the works of painters like Rembrandt and Picasso.[4]

Following the loss of his parents, he moved to Chennai at the age of 14.[3] His career in cinematography began after working as an office boy in a film production company, where he trained under cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran.[3]

Career

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He made his debut as a cinematographer with Jalamarmaram (1999) and gained attention with Jayaraj's Malayalam film Shantham (2001), earning the 23rd EMI Third Continent Award for Best Cinematography.[3] After working in Malayalam films since 1999 for three years, he worked in Hindi cinema for the film Yeh Dil in 2003.[3] 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.[5]

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 directors as a cinematographer in Tamil films, including S. Shankar's Anniyan, Gautham Vasudev Menon's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, K. S. Ravikumar's Dasavathaaram and Villu, which was directed by Prabhu Deva.[6]

Ravi Varman has often spoken about the influence of Madras (now Chennai) on his life and career. Arriving in the city as a teenager in search of food and livelihood, he has described Madras as a place that “tested, raised, and shaped” him, comparing it to both a mother and a divine presence that guided his artistic journey.[7]

In 2023, Ravi received his first National Film Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Ponniyin Selvan: I, directed by Mani Ratnam[8] and was featured in the FC-Ormax Power List of Technicians, recognizing his contributions to the entertainment industry alongside other prominent technicians.[9] In 2024, Varman directed and co-produced Bande Utkala Janani Anthem, a tourism video promoting the state of Odisha.[10] The video features music by Pritam and uses the lyrics of "Bande Utkala Janani", a patriotic anthem written by Odia poet Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra.[10]

After completing Ponniyin Selvan, Ravi worked on Revathy’s Salaam Venky and resumed post-production on Ratnam's film.[4] Varman collaborated with Kamal Haasan once again on Indian 2, after previously working with him on Dasavathaaram (2008).[11][12] The film is a sequel to Indian (1996)[11][9] In 2024, Varman was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as part of its 2025 class of new members.[13] He is currently working on the upcoming movie Love Insurance Kompany, directed by Vignesh Shivan.[14]

Awards and honours

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Filmography

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As producer

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As cinematographer

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Films

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List of Ravi Varman film credits as cinematographer
Year Title Language Notes
1999 Jalamarmaram Malayalam [3]
2000 Sathyam Sivam Sundaram
Santham [3]
2001 Valliettan
Vakkalathu Narayanankutty
Five Star Tamil
2003 Yeh Dil Hindi [3]
Jai Telugu
Armaan Hindi
Kilichundan Mampazham Malayalam
Bee Busthar
2004 Five by Four English
Phir Milenge Hindi
Autograph Tamil
2005 Anniyan Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil[a]
Ramji Londonwale Hindi
2006 Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer
2008 Dasavathaaram
2009 Villu
2010 Moscowin Kavery Also directorial debut
Kandahar Malayalam
2011 Badrinath Telugu
2012 Barfi! Hindi
2013 Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela Zee Cine Awards 2014 - Best Cinematography
2015 Tamasha
2017 Kaatru Veliyidai Tamil Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards for Best Cinematography

Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer Behindwoods Gold Medal for Best Cinematographer

Jagga Jasoos Hindi Nominated - Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography
Heartbeats English
2018 Sanju Hindi
2019 Mission Mangal
Kolaambi Malayalam
2022 Ponniyin Selvan: I Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil

National Film Award for Best Cinematography[8]

Nominated -16th Asian Film Award for Best Cinematography

Salaam Venky Hindi
2023 Ponniyin Selvan: II Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil
Japan [15]
2024 Indian 2 [11]
2025 Love Insurance Kompany † [14]
2026 Indian 3 † Post-production

As guest cinematographer

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List of Ravi Varman film credits as guest cinematographer
Year Film Language Notes
1999 Vaalee Tamil
2001 Minnale 2 songs
2003 Boys
2011 Bodyguard Hindi
7 Aum Arivu Tamil O Ringa Ringa song
2014 Ugramm Kannada
2024 Crew Hindi 1 song

Notes

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  1. ^ Jointly awarded with V. Manikandan

References

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