Santosh Sivan, born in Trivandrum, Kerala, is a critically acclaimed Indian film director and cinematographer. He has won five National Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards, and ten international film festival awards.

Santhosh Sivan is the elder brother of film director Sanjiv Sivan and younger brother of director Sangeeth Sivan. Their father, Sivan, is a renowned director and cinematographer of Malayalam documentary films, and runs the Trivandrum-based Sivan Studio.

Director
Tahaan (2008)
Before the Rains (2007)
Prarambha (2007) (Kannada) - SHORT FILM funded by BILL GATES FOUNDATION.
Ananthabhadram (2005)
Asoka (2001)
The Terrorist (1999)
Malli (1998)
Halo (1996)
Navarasa
Cinematographer
Nidhiyude Katha (1986)
Perumthachan (1991)
Aham (1992)
Kalapani (1996)
Yodha (1992)
Thalapathi (1991)
Roja (1992)
Nirnayam (1992)
Halo (1996)
Iruvar (1997)
Darmiyan (1997)
Dil Se (1998)
Asoka (2001)
Bride and Prejudice (2004)
Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2004)
Anandabhadram (2005)
Yodha II (2010)
Raavan (2010)

Awards

National Film Awards

1991 - Perumthachan (Malayalam) – Best Cinematography
1996 - Kalapani (Malayalam) – Best Cinematography
1996 - Halo - Best Children's Film
1998 - Iruvar (Tamil) - Best Cinematography
1999 - Dil Se (Hindi) - Best Cinematography

Filmfare Awards

1999 - Dil Se - Best Cinematography
2001 - Halo - Critics Award for Best Movie
2002 - Asoka - Best Cinematography

Kerala State Film Awards

1992 - Aham - Best Cinematography (Colour)
1996 - Kalapani - Best Cinematography
2005 - Anandabhadram - Best Cinematography

Star Screen Awards

2005 - Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities - Best Cinematography

Zee Cine Awards

2005 - Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities - Best Cinematography
International

and won

1998 - Malli - Best Director at Cairo International Film Festival
1998 - Malli - Golden Pyramid at Cairo International Film Festival
1999 - Malli - Adult's Jury Award for Feature Film and Video (2nd Place) at Chicago International Film Festival
1999 - The Terrorist - Grand Jury Prize at Cinemanila International Film Festival
1999 - The Terrorist - Lino Brocka Award for Best Film at Cinemanila International Film Festival
2000 - The Terrorist - Poznan Goat for Best Director at Ale Kino International Young Audience Film Festival
2000 - The Terrorist - Panorama Jury Prize for Honorable Mention at Sarajevo Film Festival
2000 - Emerging Masters Showcase Award at Seattle International Film Festival Awards
2004 - Malli - Audience Award for Best Feature Film at Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles
2008 - Before the Rains - Grand Award for Best Theatrical Feature at WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
Nominated

2001 - Malli - Independent Spirit Award for Best Foreign Film
2001 - The Terrorist - Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film