Manikandan Ramamoorthy

Biography

Manikandan Ramamoorthy is an accomplished Indian cinematographer renowned for his distinctive visual style and storytelling expertise across films, short films, documentaries, corporate films, and television commercials. With a career spanning over a decade, he is celebrated for creating immersive cinematic experiences that place the audience at the heart of the narrative.

Early Life and Education

Manikandan’s passion for the film industry began during his college days. He earned a Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) in Advertising from the University of Mumbai in 2009, followed by a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Visual Communication from Loyola College, Chennai. His academic foundation in media and visual arts equipped him with the technical and creative skills necessary for a career in cinematography.

Career and Achievements

Manikandan began his professional journey under the mentorship of Om Prakash, a leading cinematographer in the South Indian film industry. During this period, he contributed to numerous Tamil films, including Aramm, Kashmora, Maari, Yatchan, Anegan, Arrambam, Neethanae En Ponvasantham, and the Malayalam film Puthan Panam.

He has also directed and shot over 600 commercials in India, alongside more than 60 corporate films, 40 short films, and 30 independent projects, showcasing his versatility across formats. His work on the short film Nila Vaanam Kaatru Mazhai was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, earning an award in the Social Category for direction and cinematography.

Training and Professional Development

Manikandan is a trained professional in contemporary digital filmmaking technologies. He actively participates in programs such as RED Education (2015) and the ARRI Master Class Program (2017) in Mumbai, the first such program in India focused on cinematography. He is also an active member of the Western Indian Cinematographers’ Association (WICA).