https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Madhu_AmbatMadhu Ambat - Revision history2026-07-31T15:37:14ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Madhu_Ambat&diff=514426&oldid=prevKatherinSteger at 09:44, 21 April 20262026-04-21T09:44:08Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian cinematographer|bot=PearBOT 5}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Madhu Ambat<br />
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1949|3|6}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Ernakulam]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]<br />
| image = File:MadhuAmbat.jpg<br />
| parents = K.Bhagyanath<br>Sulochana<br />
| occupation = [[Cinematographer]], documentary producer, [[film director]]<br />
| alma_mater = [[Film and Television Institute of India|FTII]]<br />
| website = {{URL|https://www.madhuambat.com/}}<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Madhu Ambat''' {{small|[[Indian Society of Cinematographers|ISC]]}} (born 6 March 1949) is an Indian cinematographer who predominantly works in Malayalam and Tamil-language films apart from a few English, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali and Sanskrit films.<ref>Video interview with Madhu Ambat, on webindia123.com, http://video.webindia123.com/new/interviews/cinematographers/madhuambat/part1/index.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001201811/http://video.webindia123.com/new/interviews/cinematographers/madhuambat/part1/index.htm |date=1 October 2011 }}</ref> With a career spanning over 40 years, he is one of the most prolific cinematographers in [[Indian cinema]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/250-films-over-40-years-madhu-ambat-s-incredible-journey-cinematographer-89948 | title=250 films over 40 years: Madhu Ambat's incredible journey as a cinematographer | date=14 October 2018 }}</ref> He is best known for his work in films such as ''[[Amaram]]'', ''[[Anjali (1990 film)|Anjali]]'', and ''[[Makaramanju]]''. He currently resides in [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]. He has won the [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography]] thrice. He is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).<ref name="thenewsminute">{{cite news |title=250 films over 40 years: Madhu Ambat's incredible journey as a cinematographer |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/250-films-over-40-years-madhu-ambat-s-incredible-journey-cinematographer-89948 |work=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref><br />
<br />
Madhu's father, K. Bhagyanath, resigned as a Professor of English to be a full-time magician. Bhagyanath was also an amateur photographer. Bhagyanath and his wife Sulochana believed that one should take the profession one liked best. Madhu got admission to IIT and at the same time, he was selected in [[Pune Film Institute]]. Despite all hindrances from their relatives, Madhu's parents allowed him to join the Film institute, and he sustained the faith of his parents in him by achieving a gold medal at the institute. All these helped Madhu take cinematography as his profession. Madhu, who started his career with a documentary for famous director Ramu Kariat, has been a cinematographer for over 250 films.<ref name="auto"/> His younger sister is the actress and dancer [[Vidhubala]].<ref name="thenewsminute"/><br />
<br />
In 2003, he completed ''1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love'', his debut film as a director.<ref>[http://www.odetolostlove.com/ "1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love"]</ref><ref>[http://hindujobs.com/thehindu/mp/2003/05/08/stories/2003050801060200.htm "Madhu Ambat turns director"]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfdcindia.com/index.php?film_id=148|title=NFDC: Cinemas of india|website=www.nfdcindia.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/02/stories/2003060201130300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030610173433/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/02/stories/2003060201130300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 June 2003 | title=A dream come true | date=2 June 2003 | first= M. L. | last=Narasimham | newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | access-date=29 November 2018 }}</ref><br />
<br />
==Filmography==<br />
{{colbegin}}<br />
*1975 - ''[[Love Letter (1975 film)|Love Letter]]''<br />
*1977 - ''[[Njaaval Pazhangal]]'' as Madhu-Shaji<ref>{{Cite news|title=Shaji N Karun, cinema|url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/articles-periodicals/shaji-n-karun-cinema-13450 |publisher=Deshabhimani|date=12 May 2025}}</ref><br />
*1978 - '' Manushyan '' as Madhu-Shaji<br />
*1978 - ''Kudhira Motte ''<br />
*1978 - ''Nalegannu Maduvavaru''<br />
*1978 - '' Prema Kama ''<br />
*1978 - '' Ithihasa ''<br />
*1978 - ''Saritha''<br />
*1978 - ''[[Ashwathama]]''<br />
*1978 - ''[[Yaro Oral]]''<br />
*1979 - ''Hridhayathil Nee Mathram''<br />
*1979 - ''Pichipoo ''<br />
*1980 - ''[[Oppol]]''<br />
*1980 - ''[[Saraswathi Yaamam]]''<br />
*1980 - ''[[Sooryante Maranum]]''<br />
*1980 - ''Seetha''<br />
*1982 - ''Lahari'' as Madhu-Shaji<br />
*1983 - ''[[Adi Shankaracharya (film)|Adi Shankaracharya]]''<br />
*1983 - ''[[Phaniyamma]]'' (Kannada)<br />
*1984 - ''[[Sandhya Mayangum Neram]]''<br />
*1984 - ''Swantham Sarika''<br />
*1986 - ''[[Tabarana Kathe]]'' (Kannada)<br />
*1986 - ''[[Uppu]]''<br />
*1987 - ''[[Swathi Thirunal (film)|Swathi Thirunal]]''<br />
*1988 - ''[[Vaishali (film)|Vaishali]]''<br />
*1989 - ''[[Vachanam]]''<br />
*1990 - ''[[Anjali (1990 film)|Anjali]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*1990 - ''[[Disha (film)|Disha]]'' (Hindi)<br />
*1990 - ''[[Sutradhaarulu]]'' (Telugu)<br />
*1991 - ''[[Amaram]]''<br />
*1992 - ''[[Daivathinte Vikrithikal]], Rajashilpi''<br />
*1992 - ''[[Praying with Anger]]'' (English)<br />
*1992 - ''[[Swaroopam]]''<br />
*1993 - ''[[Bhagvad Gita (film)|Bhagvad Gita]]'' (Sanskrit)<br />
*1993 - ''[[Magrib (film)|Magrib]]''<br />
*1993 - ''[[Padheyam]]''<br />
*1994 - ''[[Nammavar]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*1994 - ''[[Swami Vivekananda (1998 film)|Swami Vivekananda]]'' (English)<br />
*1994 - ''[[Amodini]]'' (Bengali)<br />
*1997 - ''Churam''<br />
*1997 - ''[[Kulam (film)|Kulam]]''<br />
*1997 - ''Bapa''<br />
*1999 - ''[[Khoobsurat (1999 film)|Khoobsurat]]'' (Hindi)<br />
*1999 - ''[[Thammudu]]'' (Telugu)<br />
*2000 - ''[[Badri (2000 film)|Badri]]'' (Telugu)<br />
*2001 - ''[[Lajja (2001 film)|Lajja]]'' (Hindi)<br />
*2003 - ''[[Anyar (film)|Anyar]]''<br />
*2003 - ''[[Chupke Se]]'' (Hindi)<br />
*2003 - ''[[Avuna]]'' (Telugu)<br />
*2004 - ''[[Chanakya (2005 film)|Chanakya]]''<br />
*2004 - ''1:1.6 An Ode to Lost Love'' - screenplay, direction, & cinematography<br />
*2004 - ''Pravahi'' (Documentary short)<br />
*2005 - ''[[June R]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*2006 - ''[[Aadum Koothu]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*2006 - ''[[Provoked: A True Story]]'' (English)<br />
*2007 - ''[[Shoot on Sight]]'' (English)<br />
*2007 - ''[[Sringaram]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*2008 - ''[[Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam]]''<br />
*2009 - ''[[Kerala Cafe]]'' (segment "Makal")<br />
*2010 - ''[[Graamam]]''<br />
*2010 - ''[[Hisss]]''<br />
*2010 - ''[[Makaramanju]]''<br />
*2011 - ''[[Adaminte Makan Abu]]''<br />
*2012 - ''[[Kalikaalam (2012 film)|Kalikaalam]]''<br />
*2013 - ''[[Kunjananthante Kada]]''<br />
*2013 - ''[[Thee Kulikkum Pachai Maram]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*2014 - ''[[Namma Gramam]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*2014 - ''[[Sivappu]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*2015 - ''[[Pathemari]]''<br />
*2018 - ''[[Pani - Fever]]''<br />
*2018 - ''[[And the Oscar Goes To...]]''<br />
*2020 - ''Itlu Amma''<br />
*2023 - ''[[Appatha]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*2025 - ''[[Jora Kaiya Thattunga]]'' (Tamil)<br />
*2025 - ''Paranu Paranu Paranu Chellan''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-01-07 |title=Unni Lalu and Sidharth Bharathan's Paranu Paranu Paranu Chellan gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Jan/07/unni-lalu-and-sidharth-bharathans-paranu-paranu-paranu-chellan-gets-a-release-date |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
*2025 - ''[[Mindiyum Paranjum]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=Cinema Express |date=2025-12-06 |title=Unni Mukundan-Aparna Balamurali's Mindiyum Paranjum finally gets release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Dec/06/unni-mukundan-aparna-balamuralis-mindiyum-paranjum-finally-gets-release-date |access-date=2025-12-17 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref><br />
{{colend}}<br />
<br />
==Awards==<br />
;[[National Film Awards]]<br />
* 1984: [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] - ''[[Adi Sankaracharya]]'' (Sanskrit)<br />
* 2006: [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] - ''[[Sringaram]]'' (Tamil)<br />
* 2010: [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] - ''[[Adaminte Makan Abu]]'' (Malayalam)<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2032096.ece?homepage=true "Southern cinema sweeps National Awards"]. ''[[The Hindu]]''. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011</ref><br />
<br />
;[[Kerala State Film Awards]]<br />
* 1978: ''Aswathama'', ''Sooryante Maranam'' and ''[[Yaro Oral]]''<br />
* 1987: ''Purushartham'', ''[[Swathi Thirunal (film)|Swathi Thirunal]]''<br />
* 1990: ''[[Amaram]]''<br />
* 2018: ''Pani'', ''And the Oscar Goes To''<br />
<br />
;[[Nandi Awards]]<br />
* 1990: [[Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer]] - ''[[Hrudayanjali]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://telugucinemacharitra.blogspot.com/2011/01/andhra-pradesh-state-film-awarda1986.html|title=తెలుగుసినిమా చరిత్ర: Andhra Pradesh State Film Awarda(1986-1996)|date=7 January 2011}}</ref><br />
<br />
;[[South Indian International Movie Awards]]<br />
* 2012: SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer - ''[[Makaramanju]]''<br />
<br />
;[[Asianet Film Awards]]<br />
* 2012: Best Cinematographer - ''[[Adaminte Makan Abu]]''<br />
* 2013 - [[Asiavision Awards]] - Best Cinematographer<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/mammotty-kavya-madhavan-bag-asiavision-awards-2013-11-05-1.526962 |title=Mammootty and Kavya Madhavan bag Indiavision awards |work=Emirates 247 |access-date=2016-02-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060116/http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/mammotty-kavya-madhavan-bag-asiavision-awards-2013-11-05-1.526962 |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}</ref><br />
<br />
==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
*[https://www.madhuambat.com/ Official website]<br />
<br />
{{National Film Award Best Cinematography}}<br />
{{Kerala State Film Award Best Cinematography}}<br />
<br />
{{Authority control}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ambat, Madhu}}<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Best Cinematography National Film Award winners]]<br />
[[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]]<br />
[[Category:Kannada film cinematographers]]<br />
[[Category:1949 births]]<br />
[[Category:Tamil cinematographers]]<br />
[[Category:Film and Television Institute of India alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Malayalam film cinematographers]]<br />
[[Category:Film directors from Kochi]]<br />
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]<br />
[[Category:20th-century Indian photographers]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian photographers]]<br />
[[Category:Cinematographers from Kerala]]</div>KatherinSteger