Shehnad Jalal

Shehnad Jalal Biography

Shehnad Jalal is a cinematographer associated with south Indian cinema, and he belongs to younger generation of award-winning cinematographers. He predominantly works in Malayalam movies, and done one Tamil and Meitei movie each. As a full-fledged cinematographer he marked his debut with 2010 film, Chitrasutram and has done over a dozen of films till now. The cinematographer had recently received a special jury mention at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and has been selected to the prestigious Berlinale Talents 2018. A post graduate diploma holder in cinematography from the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, he has been part of many award-winning feature films and documentaries since 2006.

Shehnad Jalal hails from a Muslim family of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, born to the couple - A Jalaludeen & Jahanara Jalal. To pursue a career in film industry, he enrolled at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata. After the completion of the course he joined film industry as an assistant under Venu in 2006. Initially he worked in films, documentaries and television commercials. Chitrasutram, directed by Vipin Vijay marked his debut as an independent cinematographer. The work went on to win Kerala state award for best cinematography. He shared this award with M J Radhakrishnan for Veettilekkulla Vazhi.

Many of his documentaries have earned him awards at international film festivals. A A Pestering Journey directed by K R Manoj won him Navaroze Contractor Award for the Best Documentary Cameraman at International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala, 2011. His only Meitei language film, Loktak Lairembee won him a nomination for Achievement in Cinematography at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2017. Chennaiyil Oru Naal is his only work in Tamil. Nirnayakam, Vishudhan, Vedivazhipadu, Ee Adutha Kaalathu, Kavi Uddheshichathu..?, Vimaanam, Left Right Left etc are his works in Malayalam cinema.

Published: January 14, 2019

Updated: January 14, 2019