Madhu Ambat
Madhu Ambat ISC (born 6 March 1949) is an Indian cinematographer who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil-language films apart from a few English, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Sanskrit films. He is best known for his work in films such as Amaram, Anjali, and Makaramanju. He currently resides in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Madhu Ambat
Santhoshwideangles · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- Madhu Ambat
- Born
- 6 March 1949
- Birthplace
- Ernakulam, Kerala, India
- Occupation
- Cinematographer, documentary producer, film director
- Education
- Film and Television Institute of India
- Nationality
- India
- Honours
- National Film Award for Best Cinematography
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Madhu Ambat ISC (born 6 March 1949) is an Indian cinematographer who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil-language films apart from a few English, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Sanskrit films. He is best known for his work in films such as Amaram, Anjali, and Makaramanju. He currently resides in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Madhu Ambat. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q13564545 · wikipedia · Madhu Ambat
In this article
Biography
Biography
He has won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography thrice. He is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC). Madhu's father, K. Bhagyanath, resigned as a Professor of English to be a full-time magician. Bhagyanath was also an amateur photographer. Bhagyanath and his wife Sulochana believed that one should take the profession one liked best. Madhu got admission to IIT and at the same time, he was selected in Pune Film Institute. Despite all hindrances from their relatives, Madhu's parents allowed him to join the Film institute, and he sustained the faith of his parents in him by achieving a gold medal at the institute. All these helped Madhu take cinematography as his profession. Madhu, who started his career with a documentary for famous director Ramu Kariat, has been a cinematographer for over 250 films. His younger sister is the actress and dancer Vidhubala. In 2003, he completed 1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love, his debut film as a director.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Madhu Ambat • Born — 6 March 1949 • Birthplace — Ernakulam, Kerala, India • Parents — K. Bhagyanath Sulochana • Occupation — Cinematographer, documentary producer, film director • Education — Film and Television Institute of India • Website — https: www.madhuambat.com/
Filmography
Filmography
• 1975 - Love Letter • 1977 - Njaaval Pazhangal as Madhu-Shaji • 1978 - Manushyan as Madhu-Shaji • 1978 - Kudhira Motte • 1978 - Nalegannu Maduvavaru • 1978 - Prema Kama • 1978 - Ithihasa • 1978 - Saritha • 1978 - Ashwathama • 1978 - Yaro Oral • 1979 - Hridhayathil Nee Mathram • 1979 - Pichipoo • 1980 - Oppol • 1980 - Saraswathi Yaamam • 1980 - Sooryante Maranum • 1980 - Seetha • 1982 - Lahari as Madhu-Shaji • 1983 - Adi Shankaracharya • 1983 - Phaniyamma (Kannada) • 1984 - Sandhya Mayangum Neram • 1984 - Swantham Sarika • 1986 - Tabarana Kathe (Kannada) • 1986 - Uppu • 1987 - Swathi Thirunal • 1988 - Vaishali • 1989 - Vachanam • 1990 - Anjali (Tamil) • 1990 - Disha (Hindi) • 1990 - Sutradhaarulu (Telugu) • 1991 - Amaram • 1992 - Daivathinte Vikrithikal, Rajashilpi • 1992 - Praying with Anger (English) • 1992 - Swaroopam • 1993 - Bhagvad Gita (Sanskrit) • 1993 - Magrib • 1993 - Padheyam • 1994 - Nammavar (Tamil) • 1994 - Swami Vivekananda (English) • 1994 - Amodini (Bengali) • 1997 - Churam • 1997 - Kulam • 1997 - Bapa • 1999 - Khoobsurat (Hindi) • 1999 - Thammudu (Telugu) • 2000 - Badri (Telugu) • 2001 - Lajja (Hindi) • 2003 - Anyar • 2003 - Chupke Se (Hindi) • 2003 - Avuna (Telugu) • 2004 - Chanakya • 2004 - 1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love - screenplay, direction, & cinematography • 2004 - Pravahi (Documentary short) • 2005 - June R (Tamil) • 2006 - Aadum Koothu (Tamil) • 2006 - Provoked: A True Story (English) • 2007 - Shoot on Sight (English) • 2007 - Sringaram (Tamil) • 2008 - Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam • 2009 - Kerala Cafe (segment "Makal") • 2010 - Graamam • 2010 - Hisss • 2010 - Makaramanju • 2011 - Adaminte Makan Abu • 2012 - Kalikaalam • 2013 - Kunjananthante Kada • 2013 - Thee Kulikkum Pachai Maram (Tamil) • 2014 - Namma Gramam (Tamil) • 2014 - Sivappu (Tamil) • 2015 - Pathemari • 2018 - Pani - Fever • 2018 - And the Oscar Goes To... • 2020 - Itlu Amma • 2023 - Appatha (Tamil) • 2025 - Jora Kaiya Thattunga (Tamil) • 2025 - Paranu Paranu Paranu Chellan • 2025 - Mindiyum Paranjum
Awards
• National Film Awards • 1984: Best Cinematography - Adi Sankaracharya (Sanskrit) • 2006: Best Cinematography - Sringaram (Tamil) • 2010: Best Cinematography - Adaminte Makan Abu (Malayalam) • Kerala State Film Awards • 1978: Aswathama, Sooryante Maranam and Yaro Oral • 1987: Purushartham, Swathi Thirunal • 1990: Amaram • 2018: Pani, And the Oscar Goes To • Nandi Awards • 1990: Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer - Hrudayanjali • South Indian International Movie Awards • 2012: SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer - Makaramanju • Asianet Film Awards • 2012: Best Cinematographer - Adaminte Makan Abu • 2013 - Asiavision Awards - Best Cinematographer
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Video interview with Madhu Ambat, on webindia123.com, http://video.webindia123.com/new/interviews/cinematographers/madhuambat/part1/index.htm
- 2.250 films over 40 years: Madhu Ambat's incredible journey as a cinematographer. 14 October 2018.
- 3.250 films over 40 years: Madhu Ambat's incredible journey as a cinematographer. The News Minute.
- 4."1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love"
- 5."Madhu Ambat turns director"
- 6.NFDC: Cinemas of india. www.nfdcindia.com.
- 7.Narasimham, M. L. A dream come true. The Hindu. 2 June 2003.
- 8.Deshabhimani. Shaji N Karun, cinema. 12 May 2025.
- 9.Unni Lalu and Sidharth Bharathan's Paranu Paranu Paranu Chellan gets a release date. Cinema Express. 2025-01-07.
- 10.Unni Mukundan-Aparna Balamurali's Mindiyum Paranjum finally gets release date. Cinema Express. 2025-12-06.
- 11."Southern cinema sweeps National Awards". The Hindu. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011
- 12.తెలుగుసినిమా చరిత్ర: Andhra Pradesh State Film Awarda(1986-1996). 7 January 2011.
- 13.Mammootty and Kavya Madhavan bag Indiavision awards. Emirates 247.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 19 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Film memorabilia
37,409 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Madge BlakePerson
- Madhabi MukherjeePerson
- MadhaviPerson
- MadhuPerson
- Madhu ShaliniPerson
- Madhu WarrierPerson
- MadhumithaPerson
- MadhupalPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Madhu Ambat?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.