Kabir Lal is an Indian cinematographer and director, known for his work in Hindi, Kannada, and Telugu-language films.
Personal life His father was S. S. Lal, who worked as a cinematographer for Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films, and his elder brother was Johny Lal, who was also a cinematographer mainly in Hindi cinema.
Career Kabir Lal initially worked as an operative cameraman for the Kannada film Bhakta Prahlada (1983) and worked alongside his father before making his debut as an independent cameraman for the film Kartavya (1985). He would go on to work on 25 more Kannada films before working in Hindi films. Some of the notable films that he worked on include Pardes (1997), Taal (1999), Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), Apne (2007), and Welcome Back (2015).
He initially was to make his debut as a director and worked for a film set in Rajasthan in 2010 but the film did not reach fruition. He made his debut as a director for the Marathi, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu remakes of the Spanish film Julia's Eyes with his son Syed Shahid Lal as the cinematographer. While the Marathi version Adrushya was released in 2022, the Tamil and Telugu versions titled Unpaarvaiyil and Divya Drushti had a delayed direct to television release in 2025 on Sun NXT. The Bengali version titled Antardrishti remains unreleased.
Filmography
As cinematographer
Year Title Language Notes 1983 Agni Samadhi Telugu 1984 Yarivanu Kannada Nayakulaku Saval Telugu Baddi Bangaramma Kannada 1985 Veeradhi Veera Kannada Thayiye Nanna Devaru Kannada Nanna Prathigne Kannada Kartavya Kannada Maruthi Mahime Kannada 1986 Brahmasthra Kannada Tiger Kannada Agni Parikshe Kannada 1987 Athiratha Maharatha Kannada Lorry Driver Kannada Bazar Bheema Kannada 1988 Shakthi Kannada Dharmathma Kannada 1989 Ondagi Balu Kannada Bidisada Bandha Kannada Muthinantha Manushya Kannada Raja Yuvaraja Kannada Sankranthi Kannada Thayigobba Tharle Maga Kannada 1990 Kempu Gulabi Kannada Sri Satyanarayana Pooja Phala Kannada 1991 Aditya 369 Telugu Golmal Part-2 Kannada 1992 Guru Brahma Kannada Sriramachandra Kannada 1993 Prana Snehitha Kannada Rang Hindi 1994 Bhairava Dweepam Telugu 1995 Saajan Ki Baahon Mein Hindi Chiranjeevi Rajegowda Kannada 1997 Hameshaa Hindi Pardes 1998 Prem Aggan 1999 Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain Taal 2000 Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai Pukar Additional cinematography Khauff Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai 2001 Yaadein 2002 Om Jai Jagadish 2003 Tujhe Meri Kasam The Hero: Love Story of a Spy Kabirdas Telugu 2004 Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo Hindi 2005 Andarivaadu Telugu 2006 Style 2007 Apne Hindi 2008 Yuvvraaj 2010 Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu Kannada 2011 Yamla Pagla Deewana Hindi Naughty @ 40 Love Express 2012 Chaar Din Ki Chandni 2014 Double Di Trouble Punjabi 2015 Welcome Back Hindi 2016 Warrior Savitri 2017-2018 Porus TV series 2018 Bhaiaji Superhit 2022 Heropanti 2 2024 Hrashwo Deergha Nepali Vanvaas Hindi 2026 Welcome to the Jungle
As film director Adrushya (2022; Marathi) Unpaarvaiyil (2025; Tamil) Divya Drushti (2025; Telugu)
Accolades Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography - Taal (1999) Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography - Taal (1999)
References
External links