R.Rathnavelu aka Randy is an acclaimed Indian cinematographer with a body of work that reflects his penchant for innovation and challenge. He has worked on films that range from mega budget period epics and gigantic sci-fi magnum opuses to smaller, hard-hitting pathbreaking films that set new benchmarks in raw and realistic visual storytelling techniques. With a BSc in Physics and DFTech in Cinematography from the FTIT he joined Rajiv Menon as assistant and worked with him on TV commercials and on Mani Ratnam’s Bombay. Aravindan – his debut feature film in 1997 was followed swiftly by cult classics like Sethu, Nandha, Arya, Jagadam, Cyanide whose graphic and visceral visuals won accolades all over. Popular films like Vaaranam Aayiram, Nenokadine and Rangasthalam only pushed the bar even higher with the latter two being hailed as pathbreaking thanks to the aesthetic, unconventional and hard-hitting visuals He had successful collaborations with some of the best directors like,Bala, Shankar,Sukumar,Gautam Vasudev Menon. His collaboration with director Sukumar has brought tremendous creative and innovative story telling technique in Telugu film industry from Arya to Rangasthalam. He has created visual worlds ranging from swanky Sci-fi Enthiran, to Rustic 1980's village Rangasthalam and Epic Period War drama in SyeRaa Narasimha Reddy. Some of his notable feature works include Sethu, Nandha, Cyanide,JagadamVaaranam Aayiram, Enthiran, David, Haridas,1 Nenokkadine, Kumari 21F, Rangasthalam, SyeRaa Narasimha Reddy. Presently working on the much anticipated movie Indian 2. He has also shot numerous television commercials for leading national brands. Rathnavelu has been awarded three Filmfare Awards South Nanda ,Endhiran and Rangasthalam, Vijay Awards for Endhiran, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Nandha, two Zee Awards for Rangasthalam and SyeRaa Narasimha Reddy, two SIIMA Awards for 1: Nenokkadine and Rangasthalam, and the prestigious Tamil Nadu GovernmentKalaimamani Award.
Early life
Rathnavelu a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and completed the three year Diploma in Film Technology in cinematography from the M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute. He went on to assist Cinematographer Rajeev Menon for the Mani Rathnam movie Bombay.
