S. Kumar
Biography
S. Kumar is a veteran Indian cinematographer who has worked extensively in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinema. He began his independent career with Thiranottam (1978) and went on to become one of the prominent cinematographers associated with Malayalam cinema.
His notable cinematography credits include Poochakkoru Mookkuthi (1984), Boeing Boeing (1985), Chithram (1988), Aye Auto (1990), Kilukkam (1991), Advaitham (1992), Paithrukam (1993), Parinayam (1994), Spadikam (1995), Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998), Meesha Madhavan (2002), Udayananu Tharam (2005), Bodyguard (2010), Indian Rupee (2011), Njan Prakashan (2018) and Makal (2022).
S. Kumar has received several honours for his cinematography. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography for Kilukkam (1991) and Akale (2004), and received a National Film Award – Special Mention for Parinayam (1994).
He is also a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC). His son, Kunjunni S. Kumar, is also a cinematographer, continuing the family's connection with filmmaking.
S. Kumar's long career, spanning from the late 1970s into the 2020s, has made him an important figure in the visual history of South Indian cinema.
