Siva Sankar: The Art Director Crafting Cinematic Masterpieces
Siva Sankar, an accomplished art director from Udumalaipet, near Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, has made a name for himself in the Tamil film industry through his creativity, perseverance, and passion for art. Born and raised in Udumalaipet, Siva Sankar displayed a remarkable talent for drawing from an early age. His love for the arts led him to pursue a degree in drawing from the prestigious Government College of Arts in Chennai, where he honed his skills and laid the foundation for his future career in cinema.
A Journey Rooted in Art and Determination
Siva Sankar’s path to becoming an art director wasn’t straightforward, especially considering his parents’ initial concerns about his choice to enter the film industry. His father Boovanathan, a pharmacist and government servant, and his mother Gomathi, a housewife, were initially apprehensive. However, their worries eased after seeing Siva Sankar complete his studies and find a way to merge his artistic passion with a promising career.
After graduating in 2006, Siva Sankar entered the film industry by joining renowned art director Remiyan as an assistant on the movie “Machakkaran”. This experience gave him his first taste of working behind the scenes in cinema. Siva Sankar then joined hands with Aruchamy (Aruchamy was the assistant of senior art director legendary Sabu Cyril), for three years. During this period, Siva Sankar worked on four films and over 100 advertisement films, gaining invaluable experience that would later shape his unique style.
Breakthrough as an Art Director
Siva Sankar’s big break came in 2015 when he was entrusted with the role of art director for movie “Jil Jung Juk”. This quirky and critically acclaimed film marked a significant milestone in his career, allowing him to showcase his creative vision. His work on the film earned him recognition for his distinctive ability to create immersive environments that perfectly complement the narrative of a film. “Jil Jung Juk” was just the beginning of Siva Sankar’s successful collaboration with actor Siddharth, as the two went on to work together on several projects, including “Aval” and the upcoming film “Miss You”.
Building Strong Collaborations and Relationships
Siva Sankar has forged strong working relationships with many directors, demonstrating not only his artistic talent but also his professionalism and ability to collaborate effectively. His work with director Karthick Naren on three major films—
- Dhruvangal Pathinaaru (starring Rahman)
- Naragasooran (starring Arvind Swamy)
- Mafia (starring Arun Vijay)
Cemented his reputation as a go-to art director for thrillers and action films. His latest collaboration with Karthick Naren, “Nirangal Moonru”, is eagerly awaited by audiences.
Another director with whom Siva Sankar has built a fruitful partnership is Nelson Venkatesan. The two worked together on “Farhana” (starring Aishwarya Rajesh), “Monster” (starring SJ Suryah), and the upcoming DNA. These collaborations highlight Siva Sankar’s ability to seamlessly adapt to different genres and storytelling styles, making him a versatile figure in the industry.
Notable Projects and Successes
In addition to his work on films, Siva Sankar has made a significant mark in the music world. His art direction for the hugely popular music video “Enjoy Enjaami” received widespread acclaim for its innovative visual aesthetic. He also worked on AR Rahman’s album song “Moppilla Tamizhey”, further solidifying his reputation as a creative force in the world of music videos.
One of the interesting aspects of Siva Sankar’s career is his penchant for working on horror-thriller films, a genre that presents unique challenges for an art director. His ability to create eerie, suspenseful environments that amplify the tension of a horror film is evident in several of his projects, and this skill has made him a sought-after art director in the genre.
“Connect, Game Over, Airaa, Aval and Iravakaalam” are the horror thriller genre films where he done the art Direction.
For Siva Sankar, art direction is not just a job; it is a daily adventure. “When it comes to art direction, every day brings new things and unexpected challenges on set, and that’s what makes me love this job even more,” he says. His passion for his craft is evident not only in the projects he takes on but also in the way he organizes his work. Siva Sankar maintains an office and a storage space for all his props and crafts, which is a testament to his meticulous approach and deep love for his profession.
Upcoming Projects
Siva Sankar’s future looks just as promising as his past achievements. Among his upcoming projects are some highly anticipated films, including
- The Immortal (starring GV Prakash Kumar)
- Wife
- Nirangal Moonru
- DNA (starring Atharva)
- Miss You (starring Siddharth).
These projects are set to further cement his status as one of the most talented art directors in the industry.
From his early passion for drawing to his impressive body of work as an art director, Siva Sankar has continually pushed the boundaries of creativity in every project he undertakes. His ability to build strong relationships with directors and actors, combined with his innovative approach to art direction, ensures that he will continue to be a key figure in the Tamil film industry for years to come.
