Santosh Sivan

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Santosh Sivan
Santhosh Shivan.jpg
Santosh in 2011
Born (1964-02-08) 8 February 1964 (age 57)
Trivandrum, Kerala, India[1]
NationalityIndian
Alma mater
  • Film and Television Institute of India, Pune
  • Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum
Occupation
  • Cinematographer
  • film director
  • actor
  • film producer
Spouse(s)
Deepa
(m. 1993)
RelativesSivan (cinematographer) (Father)
Sangeeth Sivan (Brother)
Sanjeev Sivan (Brother)

Santosh Sivan (born 8 February 1964) is an Indian cinematographer, film director, producer and actor known for his works in Malayalam cinema, Tamil cinema and Hindi cinema.[2] Santosh graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and has to date completed 55 feature films and 50 documentaries.[3] He is a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC) and is the most awarded Director of Photography (DOP) in India. Santosh became the first Cinematographer in the Asia-Pacific region to join the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) membership.[4] As a cinematographer, he has won five National Film Awards – including four for Best Feature Film Cinematography. As of 2014, he has received eleven National Film Awards, and twenty one international awards for his works. He was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian cinema in 2014.

Early life and education[]

Santosh was born into a family of artists. His grandmother used to teach painting and music in the palace and as a child he accompanied her to the palace. These visits gave him an opportunity to become familiar with the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, a nineteenth-century Indian painter whose renowned works were themes from Hindu history, and everyday life of his times.

Santosh was educated at Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram and at Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram.

His father Sivan used to make documentaries and during holidays Santosh helped with this.

He is the younger brother of filmmaker Sangeeth Sivan and elder brother of Sanjeev Sivan.

Career[]

Santosh, a founder member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers and the most awarded Director of Photography in India, graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India and went on to completing 45 features and 41 documentaries.[5]

He was awarded the National Award for best Cinematographer for the films Perumthachan (Malayalam/1991), Kalapani (Malayalam / 1996), Mohiniyattam (Malayalam / 1991), Iruvar (Tamil/1998) and Dil Se.. (Hindi/1999).

Santosh was honoured by the Japanese Society of Cinematographers and has been on the Jury for the Busan Film Festival. He is a "mentor" to students for Mira Nair's "Maisha Film Lab: in Uganda and is a director to the Sivan Foundation of photography. He was also a governing council member at the Pune Film Institute.

As a director, Santosh won his first National Award in 1988 for the film Story of Tiblu (1988). His film Halo was honoured at the 43rd National Film Awards as the Best Children's Film and Best Sound.[6]

Late 1999s and present[]

Santosh received worldwide accolades for The Terrorist (presented by John Malkovich), which won the Best Director, Best Actress Awards and the Golden Pyramid Award for The Best Film at the 23rd Cairo International Film Festival. It was awarded the National Award (1999) for The Best Tamil Film and was an Official Selection at the Sundance, Seattle and Toronto Film Festivals of that year. The film was also listed in Roger Ebert's 100 Best Films (1999). the film was Quoted as being "a film scripted by the camera"

Following the success of The Terrorist, Santosh's film Malli won the National Award for Best Environmental Film in India (2000), the National Award in India for Best Child Artist (2000) and was honoured at the 18th International Festival of Film for Children in Poznan, Poland, where it won the Poznan Goat for Best Director, Best Child Actress, Best Music and the Best Film-Audience Award at the Indian Film Festival|Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles in Los Angeles.

Santosh's subsequent films include Asoka, which screened at the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals (2001) and Navarasa, which won the National Award for Best Tamil Film (2004) and the Monaco Award for Best Film & Best Supporting Actor awarded at the Lyons Film Festival. The latter also participated in the Pusan and Rotterdam Film Festivals. His debut Malayalam Language film as director, Anandabhadram (2005), went on to win several State Awards, including Best Director & Best Cinematographer. Santosh has worked as the Cinematographer in Gurinder Chadha's Bride & Prejudice (2004) and The Mistress of Spices (2005).

Santosh directed Before the Rains, which is premiered as a Special Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival (2007). In addition, his short film Prarambha, which was created for the Bill and Melinda Gates AIDS Foundation, also premiered at the Mavericks section of the Festival. It won the National Awards 2007 for Best Producer and Best Director in the Educational and Motivational Film category.

His latest Malayalam film, Urumi (2011) was screened at the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India to be held in Goa 2012, to Busan and NHK film festivals. He was also the cinematographer for the Tamil movie Thuppakki, starring Vijay and directed by AR Murugadoss.

In an interview, he said that some films he chose, not mostly because of the story but due to the very fact that he was comfortable with the director, a bigger pay cut and friendship things.[7]

Production[]

In 2008, Santosh Sivan Films was formed, as a Pvt ltd concern, with Producer Mubina Rattonsey and Milind Verekar. The company has not only handled film ventures successfully but has to its credit numerous commercials, documentaries and music videos as well. Feature film credits include Terrorist, Malli, Navarasa, Anandabhadram, A Hollywood film "Before the Rains" for Echo Lake Productions, Prarambha, a short film for The Bill and Melinda Gates AIDS Foundation, Tahaan-A Boy with the Grenade, Urumi-Vasco Da Gama and more recently done Ceylon.Tahaan, won a High Commendation in Children's Feature Film section at the 2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards and UNICEF Award at 11th Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People in 2008 held at Greece. It also won "The German Star of India award" at "Bollywood and Beyond" festival at Stuttgart Germany in 2009.

Documentary[]

Santosh's documentary Farmers Portrait is near completion.[when?] He makes films on health and environment issues, like the Polio campaign with Amitabh Bachchan.

His 2007 release, Prarambha won the National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film at the 55th National Film Awards. The film dealt with the stigma attached to an HIV + person. It dealt with a little boy who had been ostracised from school only because he is diagnosed with HIV. This film highlighted the plight of the boy and highlighted the ignorance of the society towards this virus. This was produced by the Bill and Melinda Gates Aids foundation and was shot entirely in Mysore.[8]

Filmography[]

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Director Producer Cinematographer Writer Language Notes
1986 Nidhiyude Katha Yes Malayalam
Oru Maymasa Pulariyil Yes Malayalam
1988 Story of Tiblu Yes National Film Award for Best Short Fiction Film
1988 David David Mr. David Yes Malayalam
1989 New Year Yes Malayalam
Raakh Yes Hindi
1990 Midhya Yes Malayalam
Indrajaalam Yes Malayalam
Dr. Pasupathy Yes Malayalam
No.20 Madras Mail Yes Malayalam Second Unit Cameraman
Appu Yes Malayalam Shot first schedule
1991 Perumthachan Yes Malayalam National Film Award for Best Cinematography
Thalapathi Yes Tamil
1992 Roja[9] Yes Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer
Aham Yes Malayalam Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography
Yodha Yes Malayalam
1993 Gandharvam Yes Malayalam
1994 Pavithram Yes Malayalam
1995 Nirnayam Yes Malayalam
1995 Barsaat Yes Hindi Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography
1995 Indira Yes Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer
1996 Kalapani Yes Malayalam National Film Award for Best Cinematography
Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography
1996 Halo Yes Yes Yes Hindi National Film Award for Best Children's Film
1997 Iruvar Yes Tamil National Film Award for Best Cinematography
Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South
1997 Darmiyan Yes Hindi
1998 Dil Se.. Yes Hindi
National Film Award for Best Cinematography
Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography
1998 The Terrorist Yes Yes Tamil National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
1998 Malli Yes Yes Yes Yes Tamil
National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation
1999 Vanaprastham Yes Malayalam Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South
2000 Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Yes Hindi
Pukar Yes Hindi
Fiza Yes Hindi
2001 Asoka Yes Yes Yes Hindi Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography
2003 Tehzeeb Yes Hindi
2004 Bride and Prejudice Yes
Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities Yes Hindi Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography
2005 Anandabhadram Yes Yes Malayalam Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography
Navarasa Yes Yes Yes Tamil National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
The Mistress of Spices Yes
2007 Prarambha Yes Kannada short film
National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film
2007 Before the Rains Yes Yes Yes English & Malayalam
2008 Tahaan Yes Yes Hindi Best feature film award, CIFEJ Award (Centre International du Film pour l' Enfant et la Jeunesse)
UNICEF Award at 11th Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People, Greece
2010 Raavan Yes Hindi
Raavanan Yes Tamil
2011 Varnam Yes Tamil
Urumi Yes Yes Yes Malayalam Best Director at the Imagine India International Film Festival, Madrid
Indian Rupee Yes Malayalam National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam
2012 Thuppakki Yes Tamil
2013 Rangrezz Yes Hindi
Ceylon Yes Yes Yes Yes
2014 Inam[10] Yes Yes Yes Yes Tamil
Anjaan Yes Tamil
2017 The Great Father Yes Malayalam
Spyder [11] Yes Telugu & Tamil Debut in Telugu cinema.
2018 Chekka Chivantha Vaanam [12][13] Yes Tamil
2020 Darbar Yes Tamil
2020 Jack and JillFilms that have not yet been released Yes Yes Malayalam
2020 KaliyugamFilms that have not yet been released Yes Yes Yes Malayalam
2021 MumbaikarFilms that have not yet been released Yes
2022 Barroz: Guardian of D' Gama's TreasureFilms that have not yet been released Yes Malayalam

As actor[]

Year Film Role Language Notes
2011 Makaramanju Raja Ravi Varma Malayalam
2012 Thuppakki Tamil Special appearance in the song "Google Google"

Awards[]

From Award Notes
Civilian honours Padma Shri [14]
National Film Awards
Year Film Language Category Notes
1988 Story of Tiblu English National Film Award for Best Short Fiction Film Short film
director
1990 Perumthachan Malayalam National Film Award for Best Cinematography
1991 Mohiniyattam Malayalam National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Cinematography Short film
1995 Kalapani Malayalam National Film Award for Best Cinematography
1996 Halo Hindi National Film Award for Best Children's Film Director
1998 The Terrorist Tamil National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil Director
1998 Malli Tamil National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation Director
1997 Iruvar Tamil National Film Award for Best Cinematography
1998 Dil Se.. Hindi National Film Award for Best Cinematography
2004 Navarasa Tamil National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil Director
2008 Prarambha Kannada National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film Short film
2011 Indian Rupee Malayalam National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam Co-producer
Kerala State Film Awards
  • 1992 – Aham – Best Cinematography (Colour)
  • 1996 – Kalapani – Best Cinematography
  • 2005 – Anandabhadram – Best Cinematography
  • 1994 – Pavithram - Best cinematography
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
  • 1992 – Roja – Best Cinematography
  • 1996 – Indira – Best Cinematography
  • 2010 – Raavanan – Best Cinematography
Filmfare Awards
  • 1995 - Barsaat - Best Cinematography
  • 1998 – Dil Se.. – Best Cinematography
  • 2000 – HaloCritics Award for Best Movie
  • 2001 – Asoka – Best Cinematography
Filmfare Awards South
IIFA Awards
  • 2002 – Asoka – IFFA Best Cinematographer Award
Star Screen Awards
  • 2005 – Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities – Best Cinematography
Zee Cine Awards

International[]

Won:

  • 1998 - The Terrorist– Best Director at Cairo International Film Festival
  • 1998 - The Terrorist– Golden Pyramid at Cairo International Film Festival
  • 1999 - Malli – Adult's Jury Award for Feature Film and Video (2nd Place) at Chicago International Film Festival
  • 1999 - The Terrorist - Grand Jury Prize at Cinemanila International Film Festival
  • 1999 - The Terrorist - Lino Brocka Award for Best Film at Cinemanila International Film Festival
  • 2000 - Malli– Poznan Goat for Best Director at 18th Ale Kino! International Young Audience Film Festival
  • 2000 - The Terrorist – Panorama Jury Prize for Honorable Mention at Sarajevo Film Festival
  • 2000 - Malli Emerging Masters Showcase Award at Seattle International Film Festival Awards
  • 2004 - Malli – Audience Award for Best Feature Film at Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles
  • 2005= Navarasa=Monaco International Film Festival (Monaco)
    • Won - Best Supporting Actor - Bobby Darling
    • Won - Angel Independent Spirit Award - Navarasa - Santosh Sivan
  • 2008 - Before the Rains - Grand Award for Best Theatrical Feature at WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
  • 2008 = Before the Rains= Crystal Kodak award for best cinematography.
  • 2009, Tahaan= Tahaan won a High Commendation in Children's Feature Film section at the 2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards.[10]

Tahaan Won Best feature film award, CIFEJ Award (Centre International du Film pour l' Enfant et la Jeunesse)and UNICEF Award at 11th Olympia International Film Festival for Children and Young People in 2008 held at Greece[11] Than won "The German Star of India award" at "Bollywood and Beyond" festival at Stuttgart Germany in 2009[12] Urumi=

Nominated:

  • 2001 - The Terrorist– Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film
  • 2001 - The Terrorist - Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film

References[]

  1. ^ [1][dead link]
  2. ^ Gulzar, Govind; Nihalani, Saiba (2003). "Biography: Sivan, Santhosh". Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Encyclopædia Britannica (India). p. 633. ISBN 81-7991-066-0.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Santosh Sivan: First Indian to get ASC membership". Yahoo. 23 April 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Simbu's next Kettavan just got bigger, ace lensman Santosh Sivan joins the team". 3 August 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. ^ "'Lies We Tell' filmed by Santosh Sivan set to release on February 2 next year". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Santosh Sivan filming his next international film in Britain". The Indian Express. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  8. ^ "After fifth Hollywood film, Santosh Sivan takes a break". The Indian Express. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  9. ^ Menon, Vishal (19 August 2017). "Greener than the greenest grass: Santosh Sivan and 'Roja'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Santosh Sivan's controversial film Inam to release on OTT - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Santosh Sivan excited about next film". 10 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  12. ^ The Hindu Net Desk (9 February 2018). "'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam': Mani Ratnam's next film has a rich ensemble cast". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  13. ^ Ians (10 July 2017). "Mani Ratnam, Santhosh Sivan team up for sixth time". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  14. ^ "Padma awardees 2014". The Times of India. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.

External links[]

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