Grateful to Tamil film industry: Santosh Sivan

Cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Santosh Shivan, who was conferred with the Padma Shri Saturday, said he felt good to have been chosen for the award and was grateful to the Tamil film industry for it.

"It feels good to have been chosen for the award. I'm grateful to the Tamil film industry for this honour," Sivan told IANS.

He also thanked the graduates of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

"I'm very grateful to the graduates of the film institute of Pune for proposing my name to be considered for this honour," he added.

The 49-year old Sivan got the award for his contribution to Indian cinema over the last two decades.

Starting his career as a cinematographer in the 1986 Malayalam experimental film "Nidhiyude Katha", Sivan has handled the camera for critically acclaimed films such as "Raakh", "Thalapathi", "Roja" and "Aham".

Having assisted his father while making documentaries as a youngster, Sivan has made over 30 documentaries so far. Two of his best documentaries are "Farmers Portrait" and "Prarambha".

He also wielded the megaphone for feature films "Terrorist", "Malli", "Asoka" and "Halo".

Sivan, who was recently lauded for his work as cinematographer in Vijay-starrer "Thuppakki", is awaiting the release of his forthcoming Tamil-English bilingual "Ceylon", the story of a homeless refugee girl during the Sri Lankan civil war.

Sivan, a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers, has also won 12 national awards, six state awards and three Filmfare awards.

He also has 10 international awards to his credit.