Ravi Varman

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). He was awarded the National Film Award for Best Cinematography for his work in Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022).

• Name — Ravi Varman • Birthplace — Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India • Occupation — * Cinematographer • filmmaker • producer • writer • Years Active — 1999—present

Ravi was born in a village named Poyyundarkudikadu near Pattukottai in Thanjavur district, Tamil Nadu, India. Ravi adopted his surname inspired by the Chola kings Arunmozhi Varman and Kulothunga Varman. His interest in photography and cinematography developed during his formative years, as he studied the works of painters like Rembrandt and Picasso. Following the loss of his parents, he moved to Chennai at the age of 14. His career in cinematography began after working as an office boy in a film production company, where he trained under cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran.

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. After working in Malayalam films since 1999 for three years, he worked in Hindi cinema for the film Yeh Dil in 2003. He later worked in the Telugu film Jai and received more offers in Hindi, such as Armaan, Bee Busthar, Ramji Londonwale, and Phir Milenge. 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. 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. In 2023, Varman received his first National Film Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Ponniyin Selvan: I, directed by Mani Ratnam and was featured in the FC-Ormax Power List of Technicians, recognizing his contributions to the entertainment industry alongside other prominent technicians. In 2024, Varman directed and co-produced Bande Utkala Janani Anthem, a tourism video promoting the state of Odisha. The video features music by Pritam and uses the lyrics of "Bande Utkala Janani", a patriotic anthem written by Odia poet Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra. After completing Ponniyin Selvan, Varman worked on Revathy’s Salaam Venky and resumed post-production on Ratnam's film. Varman collaborated with Kamal Haasan once again on Indian 2, after previously working with him on Dasavathaaram (2008). The film is a sequel to Indian (1996) In 2024, Varman was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as part of its 2025 class of new members. He is currently working on the upcoming movie Love Insurance Kompany, directed by Vignesh Shivan.

• Vellaiya Irukiravan Poi Solla Maatan (2015)

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