Ishan Arya

Ishan Arya Biography

Ishan Arya is a cinematographer and director associated with Bollywood and Telugu cinema. Ishaan is the best known as the producer and cinematographer of new wave cinema – Garam Hawa, directed by M. S. Sathyu. Bazaar (1982) directed by Sagar Sarhadi and Anjuman (1986) directed by Muzaffar Ali are next two noted works of Arya in Bollywood as a cinematographer. Ishan’s works are mostly associated with Telugu cinema. He won national award for best cinematography for his work in Telugu project - Mutyala Muggu in 1975.

Ishaan started his career with theatre and advertising. He started off as a cinematographer with the landmark movie – Garam Hawa. There was no turning back after that and rest is history. Ishaan Arya was one of the first cinematographers to start using bounce lighting, which uses reflected light from another source to create a softer effect. Though done some landmark movies in Bollywood during 1970s and 1980s, he concentrated on Telugu cinema winning a National award.

Ishan is married to noted actress, Sulbha Arya. His son Sameer Arya is also a cinematographer associated with many hits like Anjaam (1994), Koyla (1997), Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and Shootout at Wadala (2013). His second son - Sagar Arya is also an actor though not successful. Sagar is married to the daughter of famous film director Basu Bhattacharya- Rinki couple. Ishaan is the cousin of Shabana Azmi and Baba Azmi, members of the famous Akhtar-Azmi film family. Baba Azmi is a cinematographer associated with many landmark and blockbuster hits like Arjun, Beta, Dil, Tezaab, Mr. India, Akele Hum Akele Tum and Pukar. Shabana Azmi is a National award winning actress. The great writer and poet - Kaifi Azmi is his uncle. Baba Azmi started his career in the 1970s as an assistant of Ishan Arya. It was Arya who encouraged him to join the film line.

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Updated: November 29, 2015