Renowned Indian cinematographer Santosh Sivan has been awarded the prestigious Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Asian to receive this esteemed honour. The award, presented by actor Preity Zinta at the Palais de Festivals, recognizes Sivan’s outstanding career and exceptional quality of work.

This accolade marks a significant milestone in Sivan's illustrious career. A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and a Padma Shri recipient, Sivan has contributed immensely to the field of cinematography with 55 feature films and 50 documentaries, earning numerous national and international awards.

Sivan's career gained significant momentum with Mani Ratnam's "Dil Se," featuring Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan, and Manisha Koirala. Zinta and Sivan are set to collaborate again in Rajkumar Santoshi's upcoming period drama "Lahore 1947."





Sivan's achievements include 17 National Awards, six Filmfare Awards, and being the only Indian member of the American Society of Cinematographers. His international work includes "Bride and Prejudice" and "Meenaxi."

The event saw tributes from celebrities such as Shah Rukh Khan, directors Shekhar Kapur and Mira Nair, and featured a special guest appearance by Aditi Rao Hydari from Mani Ratnam’s "Chekka Chivantha Vaanam."

Santosh Sivan's recognition at Cannes underscores his significant contributions to global cinema and highlights the excellence of Indian cinematography on the world stage.


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Source / Image Credit: British Cinematographer, Republic world