Balanathan Benjamin Mahendran, commonly known as Balu Mahendra, was a Sri Lankan born Indian cinematographer, director, screenwriter and film editor who worked in various Indian film industries, primarily in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. Born in Sri Lanka, Mahendran developed a passion for photography and literature at a young age, after witnessing the shoot of David Lean's The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) during a school trip in Sri Lanka, he was drawn towards filmmaking. He graduated from London University and started his career as a draughtsman with the Sri Lankan Government. In 1966, he moved to India and gained admission to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) to pursue a course in motion picture photography. Upon completion of his diploma, he entered Malayalam cinema as a cinematographer in the early 1970s.
Rajiv Menon is an Indian filmmaker who has worked as a director and cinematographer in several Indian regional film industries. After making his breakthrough as a film cinematographer with Mani Ratnam's Tamil drama Bombay (1995), Menon has continued to collaborate with Ratnam on other projects including Guru (2007) and Kadal (2013). He has also directed 2 critically acclaimed Tamil films, Minsara Kanavu (1997) and Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), winning a Filmfare Award for the latter. After a sabbatical, Menon returned to directing with Sarvam Thaala Mayam.
Amar Choudary, known professionally as Jiiva, is an Indian actor and film producer who works mainly in Tamil cinema and a few Hindi and Malayalam films. He is the youngest son of film producer R. B. Choudary. He began his career as a child actor in 1991 in films produced by his father. He made his debut as a lead actor in his father's 50th production, Aasai Aasaiyai (2003). After Sivaji Ganesan, Jiiva is the only Tamil actor to have been awarded at the Cyprus International Film Festival, particularly for his performance in Raam (2005).
Chimbu Devan is an Indian film director also known as a writer, cartoonist, and screenwriter. His films mostly explore the fantasy and historical genres and also comedy. He debuted with the historical comedy-drama film, Imsai Arasan 23 M Pulikesi (2006).
Chota K. Naidu is an Indian cinematographer, best known for his distinct style of cinematography for films like, Matru Devo Bhava, Choodalani Vundi, and Kotha Bangaru Lokam. Naidu is part of the Indian Society of Cinematographers, the South Indian Cinematographers Association and the Telugu Cinematographers Association. He received two state Nandi Awards for Anji, Kotha Bangaru Lokam and two Filmfare Awards South for Kotha Bangaru Lokam, Damarukam for his cinematography. His outstanding contribution to the Indian Film Industry and the Indian Television Industry working as a DOP for Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films, and in television is appreciated from last 30 and odd years.
Vaanathaippola is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language family drama film written and directed by Vikraman. The film stars Vijayakanth in dual role. The supporting cast include Meena, Prabhu Deva, Livingston, Kausalya and Anju Aravind. Produced by V. Ravichandran under Oscar Films, the film has a score and soundtrack composed by S. A. Rajkumar and cinematography handled by Arthur A. Wilson. The film tells the story of a caring brother who makes sacrifices to ensure his three younger brothers succeed in life.
Karimanal Venkatesan Anand was an Indian cinematographer, film director and photojournalist, worked mainly in the Tamil film industry. After a short period as a journalist, he became a cinematographer in the early 1990s, working on about fifteen films in the Southern and Hindi cinema industries. Anand won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for his debut film as a cinematographer, Thenmavin Kombath. In 2005, Anand turned film director with the critically acclaimed Kana Kandaen. He was a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).
Nirav Shah is an Indian cinematographer. He has worked on a number of major box office hits in Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam since his debut with the 2004 Hindi film Paisa Vasool.
Natarajan "Natty" Subramanian is an Indian cinematographer, actor who has worked on Tamil films. He has also worked as an actor in Tamil films and achieved recognition through his performance as a conman in Sathuranga Vettai (2014).
K. Ramachandra Babu was an Indian cinematographer of over 125 films, out of which most are Malayalam films. He also worked for films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Arabic and English languages. He served as the cinematographer for several documentaries and advertisement films as well. He was the founder of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).
A. L. Vijay, known professionally as Vijay, is an Indian film director who works in the Tamil film industry. An assistant director with Priyadarshan, he debuted as director with films such as Kireedam (2007), Madrasapattinam (2010), Deiva Thirumagal (2011) and Thaandavam (2012).
Harish Kalyan is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Tamil films. His acting debut was in 2010 in Sindhu Samaveli, before being noticed for his performances in Poriyaalan (2014), Vil Ambu (2016) and Pyaar Prema Kaadhal (2018).
Chezhiyan is an Indian filmmaker and director of photography who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. He received critical acclaim for his work in Kalloori (2007), Paradesi (2013) and To Let (2017).
Sri is an Indian actor who appeared in Tamil language films.
Richard M. Nathan is an Indian cinematographer, who works in the Tamil film industry.
Shanmugam Saravanan is an Indian cinematographer and film director who works mainly in the Indian film industry. He is an alumnus of the M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute. He started his career with Poove Unakkaga, a Tamil romantic film starring Vijay and Sangita and was released in the year 1996. He debuted as a director by his directorial venture Silambattam. Saravanan is well known for his association with Directors Vikraman and Suresh Krissna. He has worked as a cinematographer in more than 25 films in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
R. S. Shivaji was an Indian actor, who was known for his work in Tamil films. He had often collaborated in films involving Kamal Haasan and Raaj Kamal Films International, working as an assistant director, sound designer and line producer on film projects.
Gypsy is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language romantic road film written and directed by Raju Murugan. The film stars Jiiva, Natasha Singh, Lal Jose, and Sunny Wayne. This film marked the Tamil debut of actress Natasha Singh, director Lal Jose and actor Sunny Wayne. The film was produced by Ambeth Kumar under the banner of Olympia Movies. The film's soundtrack was composed by Santhosh Narayanan and cinematography and editing were handled by Selvakumar S. K. and Raymond Derrick Crasta, respectively.
Eswaran Ramar, known by his screen name Theni Eswar, is an Indian cinematographer who works mainly in Tamil cinema and Malayalam cinema.
Dharala Prabhu is a 2020 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Krishna Marimuthu in his directorial debut. A remake of the 2012 Hindi film Vicky Donor, the film stars Harish Kalyan, Tanya Hope and Vivek. The film's concept is set against the backdrop of sperm donation and infertility, with Prabhu approached by Kannadasan (Vivek), the owner of a fertility clinic, to become a sperm donor for which he eventually agrees.
