Mahesh Muthuswami

Mahesh Muthuswami is an Indian Cinematographer / DOP working in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films.

Career
Upon his graduation from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, he started working with legendary cinematographer P. C. Sreeram. With him he worked in features - Kushi (Telugu), Vaanam Vasappadum (Tamil). His diploma short film, Chaitra directed by Kranti Kanade was the official student Oscar entry in the year 2002.

His first film was Rightaa Thappaa for director, producer Bhuvana. The film went on to win two State Awards. His second feature Chithiram Pesuthadi, was Mysskin's directorial debut. It became a hit owing to the unique style the film was written in. Post Chithiram Pesuthadi, he shot the Hindi Film Risk starring Randeep Hooda, Vinod Khanna and Tanushree Dutta for director Vishram Sawant. Then he teamed up with director Mysskin again shooting Anjaathey and Nandalala for him. Anjathey was a runaway commercial success. Nandalala got him the Best Cinematographer award for the year 2010 from the reputed and popular Tamil weekly magazine Ananda Vikatan.

In 2009 he did camerawork for a Hindi 3D Animation Feature film, Alibaba & 41 Thieves, produced by UTV Motion Pictures and directed by Soumitra Ranade.

For his next feature Vamsam he teamed up with director Pandiraj. It was the debut film for actor Arulnidhi. Then he shot Mouna Guru which had Arulnidhi and Iniya in lead roles for debutant director Santhakumar. It was a brooding, crime thriller and went on to earn raving reviews.

His first Telugu film, Jabardasth, was with Director Nandini Reddy. Jabardast had leads played by Siddharth, Samantha and Nithya Menen.

Kutti Puli directed by debutant director Muthiah had Director, Actor M._Sasikumar as lead. The film was commercially a huge success.

Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, directed by Gokul, featuring Vijay Sethupathi, as lead was his next.

Current projects : the Amazon Web series, 'GANGS' produced by May 6 Entertainment & directed by Noah , is in the production stage. And the Feature 'GENIE' produced by VELS Films International & directed by Arjunan Jr, is under postproduction.

Early life and family
Mahesh Muthuswami was born in Palani, Tamil Nadu, India. to R. Muthuswami and P. Vijayalakshmi, Rtd HOD of Government Arts College, Dindigul. His maternal uncle was his first inspiration for his visual media. He completed his schooling from MSP Solai Nadar Memorial Higher Secondary school, Dindigul and graduation in Mechanical Engineering from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore. Then he got placed in Bajaj Auto, Pune. During his college days he further developed his interest in Photography from his close friend Muthuselvan. That passion made him to leave Bajaj and join FTII, Pune to pursue a course in Cinematography. He is married to Manimalar, who is a Graphic Designer and an educational professional. She is currently the CCA Head for the four branches of San Academy group of schools, Pallikaranai. They have a daughter named Sanchitha.

Awards and scholarships

 * Best Cinematographer Award 2010 for the film Nandalala from the Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan
 * Jagdish Batra Memorial Scholarship for the year 2004 from FTII, Pune (Most deserving & best student in Final Diploma Exam in Cinematography)
 * Phalke Memorial Honour 2nd Prize for the year 2004 from FTII, Pune (Second best student in Final Diploma Exam)