Shanmuga Sundaram: A Journey from Passion to Profession in Cinematography
Shanmuga Sundaram, affectionately known as Shammy in the Tamil cinema Industry, hails from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. Born with an innate talent for art, His journey from a young boy with a passion for drawing to a renowned cinematographer is nothing short of inspiring.
Shammy’s love for art began at a young age. From the 8th to the 12th standard, he participated in numerous drawing competitions, winning many accolades. His talent was evident, and it was clear that art was more than just a hobby for him—it was his calling. Despite taking up Accounts and Commerce in 12th standard with the intention of pursuing a B.Com degree, He found himself he has interest in Arts & academics . His heart was set on art, and he decided to follow his passion.
He sought guidance from his drawing teacher, Master Jagannathan, who recognized His potential and encouraged him to pursue a career in visual communication. Following his master’s advice, Shammy moved to Chennai for Government college of Fine Arts (Egmore), where he enrolled in a visual communication course.
Shammy’s interest in photography was sparked during his college years. Struggling to afford a camera, he initially tried selling pencil drawings to raise funds but was unsuccessful. Determined, he eventually managed to buy a second-hand camera for around 10,000-11,000 rupees during his third year of college. This marked the beginning of his journey in photography. His college provided him with numerous opportunities to travel across India, teaching photography and honing his skills.
These experiences were invaluable, especially when he worked on the song “Life of Ram” for the movie “96” Directed by Premkumar. During his third year, He participated in a national photography competition organized by the central government of India (Year 1996-1997) and He won. This victory solidified his passion for photography and set him on a path to explore it further.
His commitment to mastering the craft led him to experiment with various photographic techniques, from black-and-white imagery to dynamic street photography. He also attended photography workshops conducted by seasoned professionals, learning about lighting, composition, and post-processing techniques. These experiences helped refine his skills and prepared him for the cinematic journey ahead.
Shanmuga Sundaram’s passion for photography eventually led him to cinematography. During his fourth and fifth years of college, he travelled to Rajasthan and Sarnath, capturing stunning images on negative and transparency films. It was during a projector show of his photographs that he realized the profound difference between still photography and motion pictures. This epiphany marked the moment he decided to pursue cinematography as a career. Understanding the intricacies of cinematography required him to learn about film cameras, lighting setups, and camera movements. Unlike still photography, which captures a single moment, cinematography tells a story through a sequence of moving images.
Shanmuga Sundaram’s big break in the film industry came when he crossed paths with the celebrated cinematographer Santhosh Sivan at a film fusion event in Hyderabad. Impressed by his potential, Santhosh Sivan offered him the opportunity to work as an assistant cinematographer on a “Chakra Gold Tea” advertisement. For Shanmuga Sundaram, it was a dream come true, having always admired Santhosh Sivan’s work. He cherished the moment so much that he kept a colour Xerox of his first pay check from the industry as a treasured memento.
Santhosh Sivan encouraged Shanmuga Sundaram to pursue his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and return afterward. Once he completed his studies, Santhosh introduced Shammy to his associate, Sethu Sriram. Although Shammy decided to join Sethu Sriram and used the opportunity, spent five transformative years working with him. During this time, he gained invaluable experience as an assistant cinematographer, mastering various cameras and lenses. He learnt the art of crafting mood-driven visuals, experimenting with colour grading, and using lighting to shape the atmosphere of each scene. These formative years were instrumental in shaping his future success as a cinematographer.
After working with Sethu Sriram, He ventured out on his own, working on corporate films and advertisements. For three years, he was deeply involved in these projects, learning to respect every product he worked on, no matter how small. His dedication and hard work paid off, and he soon found himself working with notable figures in the industry.
Shammy’s first major project as a Director of Photography (DoP) was the Tamil film “Rowthiram”, starring Jeeva. This was followed by “Aarohanam”, “Yaagavarayinum Naaka”, and “Chakravyuha” (a Telugu remake of the Tamil film “Ivan Vera Maari”). Despite missing out on opportunities like “Attakathi” and “Thuppaki”, Shammy’s work continued to earn him recognition and respect in the industry.
Working on independent projects gave him the freedom to explore various visual styles and push creative boundaries. His unique ability to capture raw emotion through his lens quickly set him apart, earning him recognition for his striking aesthetic and rich storytelling. He built strong collaborations with directors who valued his sharp eye for detail and his talent for turning scripts into visually captivating narratives.
His major breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed film “96”. The song “Life of Ram” was particularly special to him. He travelled across eight states for 14 days, spending an additional 15 days scouting locations, to capture the essence of the song. The line “Kannaadiyaai pirandhaen kaangindra ellaamum naan aagiraen” resonated deeply with him, reflecting his journey and passion for cinematography.
The success of “96” opened many doors for Shanmuga Sundaram. He became a sought-after cinematographer in the Tamil film industry, known for his ability to craft poetic visuals. His approach to storytelling through cinematography involved a deep understanding of characters, locations, and lighting techniques.
Shammy is currently working on an exciting web series directed by National Award-winning director Manikandan, starring the talented Vijay Sethupathi. Despite his demanding schedule, Shammy remains deeply connected to his passion for art, often collecting craftworks and drawing inspiration from it. Beyond feature films, he’s eager to explore the world of documentaries and short films, believing that visual storytelling has the potential to spark social change. He hopes to use his cinematic skills to bring impactful, meaningful stories to the screen.
His journey from a small town in Trichy to becoming a celebrated cinematographer is a story of passion and dedication. His work continues to inspire many, and his contributions to the film industry are a testament to his talent and hard work. As he continues to explore new horizons, there is no doubt that Shanmuga Sundaram will leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema.
