ꦍIn a major breakthrough, National Award-winning cinematographer Ravi Varman has become a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
𝔉Varman, known for his work with filmmakers like Mani Ratnam, Shankar, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has become the second Indian cinematographer, after Santosh Sivan, to join the ranks of the world’s leading cinematographers’ organisation.
ꦍIn a major breakthrough, National Award-winning cinematographer Ravi Varman has become a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
Varman who is known for his work in films like Ponniyin Selvan and Tamashaꦓ became the second Indian to join the ranks of the world’s leading cinematographers’ organisation after Santosh Sivan.
🍬In an official press release, Varman was quoted expressing gratitude for this opportunity, he said, "I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to the board of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) for inducting me as a member. Cinematographers from all over the world dream of joining this association."
🐎"It gives me great joy and pride to be included in a platform where the world's leading cinematographers who have won awards including Oscars are members. I wholeheartedly thank those who made me realise this dream," he added.
✱Varman is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) since 2024.
𓂃In a career spanning over 25 years, Ravi Varman has shot films in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and English.
🦂He has collaborated with noted Indian filmmakers such as Rathnam, Shankar, Bhansali, Raj Kumar Hirani, Anurag Basu, Imtiaz Ali and American filmmaker Dune Adler.
𓂃His filmography include award-winning movies such as "Ponniyin Selvan", "Dasavatharam", "Vettaiyaadu Vaidyaadu", "Barfi", "Sanju", "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" and "Tamasha".
🤪Ravi Varman has lived through a life no less than an inspiring dramatic film. Orphaned at 13, Varman was forced to discontinue his formal education and start working as a cleaner at a hotel in Madras.
ไVarman's love for photography and later cinematography began with a an 'out of focus' photo of him mother, it happened to be the only image of hers that he had.
ꦺAccording to the official press release, saving his salary at the first job, he was able to purchase a camera—a Zenith TTL 35 mm film-SLR —without even knowing how to use it.
𓆉He joined the film industry as an office boy at the age of 16 and rose up to the ranks until his talent was recognised.
🅰He was inspired by the works of film-makers like Satyajit Ray, Federico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa, David Lean, Ingmar Bergman, and Alfred Hitchcock that helped his build his visual sense.
ꦜReportedly, Ravi Varman became an independent cinematographer in 1999, and over the past 25 years, has shot more than 35 films, and has worked with 30 directors. Varman has also shot a number of commercials for brands like Coke, Nestle, Lux and others.
♊The American Society of Cinematographers was founded in 1919 with the purpose of advancing the art and science of cinematography and bringing cinematographers together to exchange ideas, discuss techniques and promote the motion picture as an art form, according to the organisation's official website.