S. Ravi Varman ISC is an Indian cinematographer, filmmaker, producer and writer. He predominantly works in Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi film industries. Varman began his career in Malayalam cinema. 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).
Early life 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.
Career 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.
Awards and honours Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for Anniyan (2006) Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer for Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2007) ITFA Best Cinematographer Award for Dasavathaaram (2009) Star Guild Awards for Best Cinematography for Barfi! (2012) Screen Awards for Best cinematography for Barfi! (2012) IIFA Awards for Best Cinematography for Barfi! (2012) Zee Cine Awards for Best cinematography for Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2014) Vijay Award for Best Cinematography for Kaatru Veliyidai (2017) SIIMA Award for Best Cinematography for Kaatru Veliyidai (2017) Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for Ponniyin Selvan: I (2023) Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – South for Ponniyin Selvan: II (2024) National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Ponniyin Selvan: I (2024)
Filmography
As producer
Vellaiya Irukiravan Poi Solla Maatan (2015)
As cinematographer
Films + Year Title Language Notes 1999 Jalamarmaram Malayalam2000 Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Santham 2001 Valliettan Vakkalathu Narayanankutty Five Star Tamil2003 Yeh Dil Hindi Jai Telugu Armaan Hindi Kilichundan Mampazham Malayalam 2004 Five by Four English Phir Milenge Hindi Autograph Tamil 2005 Anniyan Filmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil Ramji Londonwale Hindi 2006 Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Tamil Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Cinematographer 2008 Dasavathaaram 2009 Villu 2010 Moscowin Kavery Also directorial debut Kandahar Malayalam 2011 Badrinath Telugu 2012 Barfi! Hindi 2013 Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela Zee Cine Awards 2014 - Best Cinematography 2015 Tamasha 2017 Kaatru Veliyidai TamilAnanda Vikatan Cinema Awards for Best Cinematography Vijay Award for Best Cinematographer Behindwoods Gold Medal for Best Cinematographer Jagga Jasoos HindiNominated - Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography Heartbeats English2018Sanju Hindi 2019Mission MangalKolaambi Malayalam2022 Ponniyin Selvan: I TamilFilmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil National Film Award for Best Cinematography
Nominated -16th Asian Film Award for Best Cinematography Salaam VenkyHindi2023Ponniyin Selvan: IITamilFilmfare Award for Best Cinematographer – Tamil Japan 2024 Indian 22026Love Insurance Kompany
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
Notes
References
External links