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Ravi K. Chandran

Ravi K. Chandran

Cinematographer, also director · Born March 6, 1965 (61) · Maduranthakam, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India

Ravi K. Chandran, ISC is an Indian cinematographer, and director known for his works in Tamil cinema, Malayalam cinema and Bollywood. He is the founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC). His most recognized works are Minsaara Kanavu (1997), , Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000), Citizen (2001), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Boys (2003), Aayitha Ezhuthu (2004) in Tamil cinema,[2] Ekalavyan (1993), The King (1995), Mafia (1993), Punaradhivasam (1999) and Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (1999) in Malayalam cinema.His best known works in Bollywood are Virasat (1997), Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Yuva (2004), Paheli (2004), Black (2005), Fanaa (2006), and Saawariya (2007). Ravi has won two Filmfare Awards and one Southern Filmfare Award. Ravi K. Chandran was born in the village Maduranthakam, Tamil Nadu as the youngest child. Following graduating from the A. M. Jain College in (1982), Ravi K. Chandran started his career in the film industry. In addition to this, he works as the Director of Photography of many music videos and ad films. He began his career by assisting his brother, K. Ramachandra Babu and later turned into an independent cinematographer in (1992) by filming Kilukkampetti, a Malayalam film directed by Shaji Kailas. Later he donned camera for a more Shaji Kailas directorials including Thalasthanam, Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans, Ekalavyan, Mafia and The King. His entry into Tamil cinema was in (1994) through Honest Raj starring Vijayakanth.Ravi Chandran is the younger brother of K. Ramachandra Babu, who himself is a noted cinematographer. He is married to Hemalata and currently resides in Mumbai with his two sons. One of his sons, Santhana Krishnan, also followed his father's footsteps as a cinematographer.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
March 6, 1965 (61)
From
Maduranthakam, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India
Works as
Cinematographer, also director
Titles
31 on MovieCove · 57 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 6% in 30 days

What are Ravi K. Chandran's films like?

Across their 30 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Action13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
38%
Self
24%
Morality
23%
Power
9%
Survival
4%
Society
2%
Romantic love14 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themePower4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 30 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 13 · Serious 4 · Dark 13

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 10

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 11 · Intense 14

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 16 · Whiplash 8

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 15 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 15 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 6 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 13

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 22 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 2

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Romantic
12
Melancholic
17
Joyful
7
Hopeful
8
Other
26

How their films linger

Hopeful15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 8 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet13
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ravi K. Chandran's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 31 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ravi K. Chandran's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

57 credits, 31 with a MovieCove page.

  • Aadarsha Kutumbam House No: 47 - AK 47 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Cinematographer

  • Parasakthi(2026)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • They Call Him OG(2025)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Thug Life(2025)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Kaduva(2022)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Bheemla Nayak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Cinematographer

  • Atrangi Re (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Additional Photography

  • Bhramam(2021)

    Director · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Coolie No. 1(2020)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Mrs. Serial Killer(2020)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Adithya Varma(2019)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Student of the Year 2(2019)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Hope Aur Hum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Cinematographer

  • Bharath Ane Nenu(2018)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • OK Jaanu(2017)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Baar Baar Dekho(2016)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • X: Past Is Present(2015)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Yaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director · Writer

  • INT. CAFÉ – NIGHT (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Thanks

  • Agneepath(2012)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Ladies vs. Ricky Bahl(2011)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • 7Aum Arivu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Cinematographer

  • Anjaana Anjaani(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • My Name Is Khan(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Firaaq (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Cinematographer

  • Ghajini(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Saawariya(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Fanaa(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Yahaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • Paheli(2005)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Cinematographer

  • Black(2005)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Yuva (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Cinematographer

  • Aayitha Ezhuthu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Cinematographer

  • Boys(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Koi... Mil Gaya(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Mujhse Dosti Karoge!(2002)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Kannathil Muthamittal(2002)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Dil Chahta Hai(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Citizen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Cinematographer

  • Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Cinematographer

  • I Have Found It(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Punaradhivasam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Cinematographer

  • Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Cinematographer

  • Doli Saja Ke Rakhna(1998)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Kabhi Na Kabhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Virasat(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Minsara Kanavu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Cinematographer

  • The King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Cinematographer

  • The City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Cinematographer

  • Ekalavyan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Cinematographer

  • Mafia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Cinematographer

  • Kilukkampetti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • Marudhanayagam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Cinematographer

  • Tamara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • USA v Raj (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Cinematographer

Career shape

A full career of 56 titles, 53 of them dated from 1991 to 2026.

Biggest box office

My Name Is Khan (2010)

$42M worldwide

Highest rated

Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

My Name Is Khan (2010)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing4 of 56: 0 only directing, 4 with another roleWriting1 of 56: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleCinematography53 of 56: 50 only cinematography, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thOther crew2 of 56: 2 only other crew, 0 with another role

56 titles, 4 with more than one role — cinematography and directing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1990s10 · crew2000s20 · crew2010s13 · crew2020s10 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Ravi K. Chandran's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 62nd percentile, the median of all 31; across their 30 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Approval · how many liked their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Reach · how many have seen their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 30

Midcredits score across 31 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 31 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Loved with Detractors2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic6
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · cinematographer

Coolie No. 1 (2020)

99th percentile spread · 66% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 71/100 in their films, across 30 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 56. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ravi K. Chandran's work okay for kids?

Across up to 16 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore12 titles15–88 · median 51 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity16 titles4–49 · median 24 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles16–84 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles7–62 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense10 titles14–73 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Ravi K. Chandran work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ravi K. Chandran's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; A. Sreekar Prasad shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles