Santosh Sivan
Santosh Sivan ISC (born 8 February 1964) is an Indian cinematographer, film director, producer and actor known for his works in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi cinema. Santosh graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India and has, to date, completed 55 feature films and 50 documentaries. He is regarded as one of India's finest and best cinematographers.
Santosh Sivan

Thachan.makan · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Name
- Santosh Sivan
- Born
- 8 February 1964
- Birthplace
- Trivandrum, Kerala, India
- Education
- * Film and Television Institute of India, Pune
- Occupation
- * Cinematographer
- Nationality
- India.
- Honours
- Filmfare Awards South, National Film Award for Best Cinematography, Screen Award for Best Cinematography, Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography and Padma Shri in arts.
- Languages
- English.
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Documentary summary
Santosh Sivan ISC (born 8 February 1964) is an Indian cinematographer, film director, producer and actor known for his works in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi cinema. Santosh graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India and has, to date, completed 55 feature films and 50 documentaries. He is regarded as one of India's finest and best cinematographers.
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Santosh Sivan (born 1964) is an Indian actor, cinematographer and film director, among other activities. The actor was born in Thiruvananthapuram. Santosh Sivan studied at Film and Television Institute of India and Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram.
Languages used include English. The actor received Filmfare Awards South, National Film Award for Best Cinematography and Padma Shri in arts, among others.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
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wikidata · Q2615641 · wikipedia · Santosh Sivan
In this article
Biography
Biography
Sivan worked across cinematographer, film director, actor, film producer and screenwriter. This article rests on 2 published texts and 2 scholarly references drawn from named institutional registers. Every statement below returns to a source shown in the evidence panel; where the record is silent or divided, the article says so instead of resolving it.
Santosh Sivan studied at Film and Television Institute of India and Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram. The recorded working language is English. Distinctions recorded are Filmfare Awards South, National Film Award for Best Cinematography, Screen Award for Best Cinematography and Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Santosh Sivan • Born — 8 February 1964 • Birthplace — Trivandrum, Kerala, India • Education — * Film and Television Institute of India, Pune • Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram • Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram • Occupation — * Cinematographer • film director • actor • film producer • Children — Sarvajith • Relatives — * Sivan (father) • Sangeeth Sivan (brother) • Sanjeev Sivan (brother)
Career
Career
Santosh, a founding 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 completed 45 feature films and 41 documentaries. As a director, Santosh won his first National Award 1988 for the Story of Tiblu (1988). His film Halo was honoured at the 43rd National Film Awards as the Best Children's Film and Best Sound. Santosh became the first cinematographer in the Asia-Pacific region to join the American Society of Cinematographers. 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 21 international awards for his works. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014 for his contributions to Indian cinema. 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 check and out of friendship.
Documentary
Documentary
His 2007 release Prarambha won the National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film at the 55th National Film Awards.
Filmography
Filmography
• Year — Film — Director — Producer — Cinematographer — Writer — Language — Notes • 1986 — Nidhiyude Katha — Malayalam • Oru Maymasa Pulariyil • 1988 — Story of Tiblu — Idu Mishmi — National Film Award for Best Short Fiction Film • 1988 — David David Mr. David — Malayalam • 1989 — New Year • Raakh — Hindi • 1990 — Varthamanakaalam — Malayalam • Midhya • Indrajaalam • Sunday 7 PM • Dr. Pasupathy • No.20 Madras Mail — Second Unit Cameraman • Appu — Shot first schedule • 1991 — Perumthachan — National Film Award for Best Cinematography • Thalapathi — Tamil • 1992 — Roja — Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer • Aham — Malayalam — Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography • Yodha • 1993 — Gardish — Hindi • Gandharvam — Malayalam • 1994 — Pavithram • 1995 — Nirnayam • Barsaat — Hindi — Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography • Indira — Tamil — Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer • 1996 — Kalapani — Malayalam — National Film Award for Best Cinematography Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography • Halo — Hindi — National Film Award for Best Children's Film • 1997 — Iruvar — Tamil — National Film Award for Best Cinematography Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil • Darmiyan — Hindi • 1998 — Dil Se.. — National Film Award for Best Cinematography Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography • The Terrorist — Tamil — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil • Malli — National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation • 1999 — Vanaprastham — Malayalam — Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography – Malayalam • 2000 — Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani — Hindi • Pukar • Fiza • 2001 — Asoka — Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography • 2003 — Tehzeeb • 2004 — Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities — Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography • Aparichithan — Malayalam • Bride and Prejudice — English • 2005 — Anandabhadram — Malayalam — Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography • Navarasa — Tamil — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil • The Mistress of Spices — English • 2007 — Prarambha — Kannada — short film National Film Award for Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film • Before the Rains — English Malayalam • 2008 — Tahaan — 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 • Raavanan — Tamil • 2011 — Varnam • Urumi — Malayalam — Best Director at the Imagine India International Film Festival, Madrid • Indian Rupee — National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam • 2012 — Thuppakki — Tamil • 2013 — Rangrezz — Hindi • Ceylon — English • 2014 — Inam — Tamil • Anjaan — Tamil • 2017 — The Great Father — Malayalam • Spyder — Telugu Tamil — Debut in Telugu cinema. • 2018 — Chekka Chivantha Vaanam — Tamil • 2020 — Darbar • 2022 — Jack N' Jill — Malayalam • 2023 — Mumbaikar — Hindi • 2024 — Olavum Theeravum — Malayalam — Part of the anthology series Manorathangal • Abhayam Thedi Veendum • Barroz • 2026 — Raja Shivaji — | — Marathi Hindi — Bilingual film Also debut in Marathi cinema. • Batwara 1947 — | — Hindi • Moha — English — Official selection for International film festival rotterdam 2023
As actor
As actor
• Year — Film — Role — Language — Notes • 2011 — Makaramanju — Raja Ravi Varma — Malayalam • 2012 — Thuppakki — himself — Tamil — Special appearance in the song "Google Google"
International
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 (second 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 won a High Commendation in Children's Feature Film section at the 2009 Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nominated: • 2001 – The Terrorist – Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film • 2001 – The Terrorist – Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Identity
Identity
Santosh Sivan is recorded with the occupation cinematographer. Recorded as cinematographer, film director, actor, film producer and screenwriter.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
1964
Santosh Sivan was born on 8 February 1964.
National Film Awards
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 — | National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Cinematography — | Short film • | 1995 — | Kalapani — | 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 • | 1998 — | Malli — | National Film Award for Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation • | 1997 — | Iruvar — National Film Award for Best Cinematography — | • | 1998 — | Dil Se.. — | Hindi — | • | 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
Kerala State Film Awards
• 1992 – Aham – Best Cinematography (Colour) • 1996 – Kalapani – Best Cinematography • 2005 – Anandabhadram – Best Cinematography
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
• 1992 – Roja – Best Cinematography • 1996 – Indira – Best Cinematography • 2010 – Raavanan – Best Cinematography
Context
Primary material
Context
The circumstances in which Santosh Sivan stands. Recognition and collections. Sivan received Filmfare Awards South, National Film Award for Best Cinematography, Screen Award for Best Cinematography, Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography and Padma Shri in arts.
Documents and archives
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q2615641: Santosh Sivan
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Santosh Sivan”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Awards
Awards
• Year — Award — Award Category — Notes — Ref. • 2014 — Civilian honours — Padma Shri — Art - Film
Filmfare Awards
Filmfare Awards
• 1995 – Barsaat – Best Cinematography • 1998 – Dil Se.. – Best Cinematography • 2000 – Halo – Best Film (Critics) • 2001 – Asoka – Best Cinematography
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare Awards South
• 1997 – Iruvar – Best Cinematographer – South • 1999 – Vanaprastham – Best Cinematographer – South
IIFA Awards
IIFA Awards
• 2002 – Asoka – IFFA Best Cinematographer Award
Star Screen Awards
Star Screen Awards
• 2005 – Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities – Best Cinematography
Zee Cine Awards
Zee Cine Awards
• 2005 – Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities – Best Cinematography
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.Santosh Sivan.
- 2.Santhosh Sivan's son to essay a part in Anoop Sathyan directorial 'Varane Avashyamund'. The Times of India.
- 3.Gulzar, Govind. Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Encyclopædia Britannica (India). 633. 2003. 81-7991-066-0.
- 4.ഛായാഗ്രാഹകന് ചരിത്രമെഴുതുകയാണ്, Interview - Mathrubhumi Movies.
- 5.Simbu's next Kettavan just got bigger, ace lensman Santosh Sivan joins the team. 2017-08-03.
- 6.'Lies We Tell' filmed by Santosh Sivan set to release on February 2 next year. The New Indian Express.
- 7.Santosh Sivan: First Indian to get ASC membership. Yahoo. 23 April 2012.
- 8.Santosh Sivan filming his next international film in Britain. The Indian Express. 2015-10-03.
- 9.After fifth Hollywood film, Santosh Sivan takes a break. The Indian Express. 2016-06-14.
- 10.Menon, Vishal. Greener than the greenest grass: Santosh Sivan and 'Roja'. The Hindu. 2017-08-19. 0971-751X.
- 11.Santosh Sivan's controversial film Inam to release on OTT. The Times of India.
- 12.Santosh Sivan excited about next film. 2016-03-10.
- 13.The Hindu Net Desk. 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam': Mani Ratnam's next film has a rich ensemble cast. The Hindu. 2018-02-09. 0971-751X.
- 14.Ians. Mani Ratnam, Santhosh Sivan team up for sixth time. The Hindu. 2017-07-10. 0971-751X.
- 15.Riteish Deshmukh to direct, star in historical action drama 'Raja Shivaji'. Pune Mirror. 2024-02-20.
- 16.Padma awardees 2014. The Times of India. 25 January 2014.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority record
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
People, houses and institutions
Knowledge graph
People, houses and institutions
Teachers, collaborators, publishers and institutions recorded against this person, each on a stated basis.
Citizenship
1- IndiaPlace
Established from a fact already recorded on a verified source.
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 16 August 2026.
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