K. K. Senthil Kumar

K. K. Senthil Kumar is an Indian cinematographer who works in Telugu cinema. He is known for his frequent collaborations with S.S. Rajamouli. He graduated with a degree in cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He made his debut as a cinematographer with the sitcom TV series Amrutham. He made his film debut with Aithe (2003) which brought him recognition.

He went on to work in notable films like Sye (2004), Chatrapathi (2005), Yamadonga (2007), Arundhati (2009), Magadheera (2009), Eega (2012), Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), and RRR (2022). He has received four SIIMA awards, three Filmfare Awards and two Nandi Awards among other accolades.

Early and personal life

K. K. Senthil Kumar was born and brought up in Hyderabad, into a Tamil-speaking family. He is the eldest of three siblings. He graduated with a degree in cinematography from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He married Ruhee on 25 June 2009, who is a Yoga instructor and heads the Hyderabad division of Bharat Thakur’s Yoga classes. His wife Ruhee died on 15 February 2024 at a Private Hospital in Hyderabad.

Career

After his graduation from FTII, he joined cinematographer Sarath as an assistant cinematographer. He worked under Sarath from Premaku Velayara (1999) to Jabili (2001). He worked for 13 episodes in Amrutham. When Chandra Sekhar Yeleti was making his directorial debut with Aithe (2003), he took Senthil on as the cinematographer, marking his official feature-film debut.

Filmography

Awards

South Indian International Movie Awards

• Best Cinematographer – Telugu – Eega (2012) at 1st SIIMA
• Best Cinematographer – Telugu – Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) at 5th SIIMA
• Best Cinematographer – Telugu – Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) at 7th SIIMA
• Best Cinematographer – Telugu – RRR at 11th SIIMA

Filmfare Awards South

• Best Cinematographer- Magadheera (2010) at 57th Filmfare Awards South
• Best Cinematographer- Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) at 63rd Filmfare Awards South
• Best Cinematographer- Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) at 65th Filmfare Awards South

CineMAA Awards

• CineMAA Award for Best Cinematographer – Magadheera (2010)
• CineMAA Award for Best Cinematographer – Yamadonga (2008)

Nandi Awards

• Best Cinematographer - Eega (2012) at Nandi Awards of 2012
• Best Cinematographer - Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) at Nandi Awards of 2015

Santosham Film Awards

• Best Cinematographer - Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) at 16th Santosham Film Awards

Philadelphia Film Critics Circle

• Best Cinematography – RRR (2022)

References

1. U. K. Senthil Kumar
2. Magadheera
3. Arundhati (2009 film)
4. Chatrapathi (2005 film)
5. Cinematic style of S. S. Rajamouli
6. Sye (2004 film)
7. Eega
8. Golconda High School
9. Vizhi Moodi Yosithaal
10. Thakita Thakita
11. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
12. Baahubali: The Beginning
13. Three (2008 film)
14. I. P. Senthil Kumar
15. RRR
16. Yamadonga
17. Kannan Varuvaan (2000 film)
18. SIIMA Award for Best Cinematographer – Telugu
19. Baahubali (franchise)
20. Oohalu Gusagusalade