Appu Prabhakar

Appu Prabhakar, man, this guy’s career is a ride. You might spot his name flashing by in the credits for Rekhachithram (2025), CIA: Comrade in America (2017), and Carbon (2018), and honestly, each of these films brings out something totally different in his craft. With Rekhachithram, people are buzzing about the visuals even before release—it’s got that sort of anticipation where everyone’s low-key stalking updates online. Appu just knows how to pull you in with those frames, you know? Every shot feels like it’s got a secret tucked in the corner, waiting for you to catch it. Jump back a bit to CIA: Comrade in America, which was basically a road movie but with some serious heart. The story takes you from the lush green of Kerala all the way to the wild Mexican border, following a dude who’s headstrong and a little reckless, but you can’t help rooting for him. Prabhakar’s work behind the camera gave the whole thing this kind of restless energy—like you’re right there, on the run, feeling every bump in the road. Then there’s Carbon, which—let’s be real—doesn’t get enough credit. It’s got this gritty, almost surreal edge, all misty forests and moody lighting, like you’re walking through a dream that might turn into a nightmare at any second. Prabhakar’s visuals here just eat up the scenery and spit it back out, all sharp and haunting. The guy’s got range, no question. If you’re into movies where the cinematography does half the talking, his name should be on your radar.