Renadive

Renadive Biography

Renadive is an Indian cinematographer associated with Malayalam film industry. His real name is Renu, and he hails from Kunnamkulam of Thrissur district, Kerala. He started his career as an assistant cinematographer for the film Rasathanthram (2006), and worked in several movies before he turned a full-fledged cinematographer through the anthology film, 5 Sundarikal in 2010. He did the camera work for the segment directed by Amal Neerad. He later did cinematography for the same director’s film, Comrade in America in 2017 starring Dulquer Salman.

Renadive was born in Kunnamkulam, a suburb of Thrissur district, Kerala on 30 May 1979. His father Kallayil Vijayaraghavan is a photographer and retired BSNL employee. His mother’s name is Shyamala Vijayaraghavan. Since young he got attracted to the camera, and followed his father’s footsteps. Renu grew up amidst negatives and reels of films. To pursue a career in the field of photography, he did a diploma in still photography from Indian Institute of Photography in the 1990s, and later worked in Kairali TV. He worked as a cameraman and covered 148 episodes of Verittakazhchakal with V. K. Sreeraman, his relative.

Later he joined as an assistant under cinematographer Alagappan, and worked for Sathyan Anthikkad’s film Rasathantram. Over the years he got opportunity to work with Ranjan Pramod, Madhupal, Jibu Jacob and many such reputed directors. While working with Anwar Rasheed in Bridge, he recommended Renu’s name to director Amal Neerad who would gave him the first break through 5 Sundarikal in 2010. After that he has also worked as associate cinematographer for Neerad for three more films, before he was offered the second film, Comrade in America by the same director. He has been a part of Amal Neerad’s team right from the days of Big B, Anwar and Bachelor Party.

Published: November 29, 2018

Updated: November 29, 2018