S.R. Kathir

reference S.R. Kathir’s name has been floating around Indian cinema circles for a while now, and honestly, if you’ve seen Subramaniapuram, you already know what the fuss is about. The guy just has an eye—like, he doesn’t just shoot a scene, he kind of makes you feel like you’re in it, sweating in the Madurai heat or tensing up with the characters. Jai Bhim (2021) was a totally different beast—a hard-hitting, in-your-face kind of film that didn’t really pull any punches. Kathir’s work there? Gritty, raw, and disturbingly beautiful. The colors, the framing, even the way he makes silence feel loud. That’s a talent not a lot of people have. People are buzzing about Vettaiyan (2024), and for good reason. If his track record means anything, you can expect some bold choices. Kathir doesn’t do boring, cookie-cutter visuals—that’s just not his thing. There’s usually a mood, a texture, something that makes you want to hit pause and just soak it all in. He’s the kind of cinematographer that directors dream about—willing to get his hands dirty and chase authenticity even if it means breaking a few rules. Seriously, if you care about movies that look and feel alive, S.R. Kathir’s work is something you don’t want to sleep on.