Rasool Ellore

Rasool Ellore Biography

Rasool Ellore is a well-established cinematographer of south Indian film industry. He has also worked as cinematographer and assistant cameraman for quite a few movies in Bollywood. He made his directorial debut in 2003 with the movie, Okariki Okaru which won him Nandi Award for Best Debut Director. As a cinematographer, he received Nandi awards twice for the movies, Gaayam (1993) and Nuvvu Nenu (2001). As a cinematographer, he has been a part of many blockbuster hits like Gaayam, Gulabi and Chitram. His sister was married to cinematographer S. Gopal Reddy.

Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Daud, Raat and Junoon are his Bollywood movies. Before getting promoted to cinematographer, he worked as assistant cameraman in the 1980’s for the movies - Aakhree Raasta and Khatron Ke Khiladi. He has also done camera work for a couple of English movies in the early 2000’s. At present he is the highest paid cinematographer in Tollywood and his remuneration has reached Rs 75 lakhs per movie in the early 2010s.  

He was born and raised in Rajahmundry. He was born to English mother and Telugu father. His father was an electric engineer who was inclined towards art. He was a great painter and was also associated with Lakshmi Talkies in Rajahmundry once every week, on technical issues. Rasool used to accompany his father every time and thus he got opportunity to watch English movies every week. Gradually he too was inclined towards art and dropped out of studies during intermediate second year.

He joined his sister’s husband, S Gopal Reddy as assistant. Though Reddy initially hesitated to accept him as assistant, finally he gave in. Thus began Ellore’s association with film industry. He got opportunity to work with Ram Gopal Varma for his critically acclaimed movie, Shiva. He worked as Cinematographer and Electrical Department, where he assisted S. Gopal Reddy. Gayam was his first complete film as cinematographer. After that there was no turning back and with 2000’s, he became the highest paid cinematographer of Tollywood.

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Updated: April 07, 2014