Manesh Madhavan is a Cinematographer, a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII Pune). He primarily works in the South Indian film industry and Bollywood. Manesh has numerous films to his credit in Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali and more. He won the Kerala State Film Award in 2017 for ‘Aedan: Garden of Desire’ and again in 2022 for ‘Ela Veezha Poonchira’ for Best Cinematography.
Many of his works have gained international acclaim and have been chosen as India’s submissions to major international film festivals in Venice, Cannes,
and Berlin. He is also an alumnus of the Berlinale Talent Campus at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival in 2008
As a child what were your early influences towards cinema?
Films I had seen and films I only heard about from school friends – my childhood dreams.
How did you first become interested in cinematography? Did you start with photography?
Yes, Started with photography. SLR. 35mm Russian made ‘Zenit’ and 58mm Lens. My Early college days.
Influence of films, filmmakers and cinematographers. From my childhood to the present, Santosh Sivan, ASC ISC, remains one of my greatest inspirations.
What steps did you take to train yourself?
Travelling, Photography, Books, Internet.. Assisted some great photographers. Did few short films and music videos with university friends; learned a lot. Film and Television Institute of India Pune, my alma mater. Shri. Bipin Chandra Naria and Shri. K G Soman, my Professors at Ftii – Still
continuing my learning from them. Always a phone call away.. I was fortunate to study and assist a great pool of fellow cinematographers during my institute days.
Have you assisted anyone? How does it help one?
Avinash Arun ISC, in ‘Drishyam’ ( 2015,Ajay Devgn Film) After passing out from institute I was mostly shooting documentaries and
independent projects. This was my first Bollywood Experience. Big Sets, Lighting, Gears.. Great experience. I consider Rajiv Ravi ISC and Madhu Neelakandan ISC are my mentors. Whenever I am in trouble I usually call them 🙂
How did your first film project come about?
‘Aedan: Garden of Desires’ directed by Sanju Surendran (Direction 2003-06 Batch FTII). I shot few documentaries with him (including national award winning
‘Kapila(2014)’). Sanju offered my first job as Cinematographer when he planned this feature. Wonderful Film and crew.
What is perhaps the most important factor for you to choose a script?
The Team- Director, Producer and Screenplay..
Is cinematography intuitive or is it something you learn?
Yes, sometimes intuitive and sometimes carefully crafted.
Tell us something bout your latest film.
‘If on a winter’s night’ shot in New Delhi. It’s a story of young couple from Kerala seeks a new life in Delhi, but their love and ambitions are tested by prejudice, family pressures, and the city’s unyielding harshness. A challenging shoot in freezing Delhi winter. Made with Asian Cinema Fund(ACF)
and Co Production from South Korea. Did post production in Seoul. Great collaboration.
Where do you seek inspiration from?
Travelling, Music, Literature, Architecture. Also contemporary films
What’s your dream project?
A true international travel subject.
Your most memorable blunder?
Once I forgot to switch on record button while shooting in digital.
Any advice to the inspiring cinematographers?
Consistent learning and practise is required. As important as it is for a sportsperson
or musician.
What book, music, movie are you enjoying right now?
‘Sentimental Value’ by Joachim Trier
American Cinematographer Magazine
