P. C. Sreeram stands as one of India’s most influential cinematographers, known for his powerful visual storytelling and groundbreaking techniques. He has captivated audiences through diverse film genres and earned recognition for his versatility, artistic vision, and technical innovation. From his debut in the early 1980s to his current status as President of Qube Cinemas, Sreeram has consistently pushed boundaries throughout his four-decade career in Indian cinema.
P. C. Sreeram is a 69-year-old Indian cinematographer and film director with an estimated net worth of $2-5 million as of 2025. Born on January 26, 1956 in Chennai, India, Sreeram rose to fame through his collaboration with director Mani Ratnam. He is currently serving as President of Qube Cinemas, a digital cinema technology company.
Quick Facts About P. C. Sreeram
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | P. C. Sreeram |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1956, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Age | 69 years old |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Cinematographer, Film Director |
| Net Worth | $2-5 million (2025) |
| Current Position | President of Qube Cinemas |
| Children | Two (Swetha and Skanda) |
| Education | Madras Film Institute (Diploma 1979) |
| Famous For | National Award-winning cinematographer, “Guru of Cinematography” |
P. C. Sreeram Early Life and Education
P. C. Sreeram’s early life was characterized by a natural inclination toward visual arts despite academic struggles.
Educational Background
| Educational Stage | Institution | Location | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School | Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School | Mylapore, Chennai | 1960s-1970s | Struggled academically |
| Film Education | Madras Film Institute | Chennai | 1976-1979 | Motion Picture Photography Diploma |
Family Background
| Family Role | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Order | Third child | Has two sisters |
| Children | Swetha (daughter), Skanda (son) | Daughter passed away in 2012 (aged 23) |
| Notable Family | Preetha Jayaraman (niece) | Successful cinematographer inspired by uncle |
P. C. Sreeram Career and Achievements
P. C. Sreeram’s career spans over four decades, during which he has established himself as one of India’s most respected cinematographers.
Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Project/Role | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Graduated Film Institute | Motion Picture Photography Diploma | Foundation for career |
| Early 1980s | Film Debut | Cinematographer | Entry into film industry |
| 1981 | First Major Work | Vaa Indha Pakkam | Professional breakthrough |
| 1985 | Award Recognition | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut |
| 1986 | Mani Ratnam Collaboration | Mouna Ragam | Career-defining partnership begins |
| 1987 | National Award | Nayakan | Best Cinematography recognition |
| 1992 | Directorial Debut | Meera | Transition to direction |
| 1995 | Oscar Entry | Kuruthipunal (Director) | India’s official Oscar submission |
| 2004 | Digital Pioneer | Vaanam Vasappadum | First Indian HD digital film |
| 2007 | Bollywood Debut | Cheeni Kum | Entry into Hindi cinema |
| 2016 | Association President | South Indian Film Cinematographers | Industry leadership role |
| Present | Qube Cinemas President | Digital Cinema Technology | Technology industry leadership |
Complete Filmography as Cinematographer
| Year | Film Title | Director | Language | Genre | Awards/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Vaa Indha Pakkam | Unknown | Tamil | Drama | Career debut |
| 1985 | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Bharathan | Tamil | Romance | Indira Gandhi Award |
| 1986 | Mouna Ragam | Mani Ratnam | Tamil | Romance/Drama | Career breakthrough |
| 1987 | Nayakan | Mani Ratnam | Tamil | Crime Drama | National Award – Best Cinematography |
| 1988 | Agni Natchathiram | Mani Ratnam | Tamil | Action Drama | Technical innovation |
| 1989 | Geethanjali | Mani Ratnam | Telugu | Romance | Nandi Award – Best Cinematography |
| 1991 | Gopura Vasalile | Unknown | Tamil | Drama | – |
| 1992 | Thevar Magan | Bharathan | Tamil | Drama | Critical acclaim |
| 1993 | Thiruda Thiruda | Mani Ratnam | Tamil | Action Adventure | Innovative action sequences |
| 2000 | Alaipayuthey | Mani Ratnam | Tamil | Romance | Filmfare Award – Best Cinematographer |
| 2007 | Cheeni Kum | R. Balki | Hindi | Romance Comedy | Bollywood debut |
| 2009 | Paa | R. Balki | Hindi | Drama | Critical success |
| 2009 | 13B: Fear Has a New Address | Vikram Kumar | Hindi/Tamil | Horror Thriller | Innovative cinematography |
| 2012 | Ishq | Vikram Kumar | Telugu | Romance | CineMAA Award – Best Cinematography |
| 2015 | I | Shankar | Tamil | Thriller | Visual spectacle |
| 2015 | O Kadhal Kanmani | Mani Ratnam | Tamil | Romance | Contemporary style |
| 2015 | Shamitabh | R. Balki | Hindi | Drama | Technical excellence |
| 2016 | Ki & Ka | R. Balki | Hindi | Romance Comedy | Contemporary themes |
| 2016 | Remo | Bakkiyaraj Kannan | Tamil | Romance Comedy | Visual effects work |
| 2018 | Pad Man | R. Balki | Hindi | Biographical Drama | Social impact film |
| 2018 | Naa Nuvve | Jayendra | Telugu | Romance | Recent work |
| 2019 | Praana | VK Prakash | Multiple Languages | Drama | Multi-lingual project |
Directorial Works
| Year | Film Title | Language | Cast | Genre | Awards/Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Meera | Tamil | Vikram, Aishwarya | Drama | Directorial debut |
| 1995 | Kuruthipunal | Tamil | Kamal Haasan | Police Thriller | India’s Oscar entry 1996 |
| 2004 | Vaanam Vasappadum | Tamil | Unknown | Drama | First Indian HD digital film |
P. C. Sreeram Awards and Recognition
Major Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Indira Gandhi Award | Best Debut Film | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Government of India |
| 1987 | National Film Award | Best Cinematography | Nayakan | Government of India |
| 1990 | Nandi Award | Best Cinematography | Geethanjali | Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| 2000 | Filmfare Award | Best Cinematographer (South) | Alaipayuthey | Filmfare |
| 2013 | CineMAA Award | Best Cinematography | Ishq | CineMAA |
| 2013 | CineMAA Award | Lifetime Contribution | – | CineMAA |
| Unknown | Kalaimamani Award | Contribution to Arts | – | Government of Tamil Nadu |
| Unknown | IFFR Honor | Cinematography Legend | – | Ministry of Information & Broadcasting |
Festival Recognitions
| Festival | Film | Year | Category/Recognition | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | Kuruthipunal | 1996 | India’s Official Entry | International recognition |
| Rotterdam International Film Festival | Kuruthipunal | 2003 | Director in Focus | European recognition |
| Mumbai International Film Festival | Vaanam Vasappadum | 2004 | Official Selection | Digital innovation showcase |
| International Film Festival of Kerala | Vaanam Vasappadum | 2004 | Official Selection | Regional recognition |
P. C. Sreeram Professional Associations and Leadership
Industry Leadership Roles
| Organization | Position | Duration | Role Description | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qube Cinemas | President | Present | Digital cinema technology leadership | Industry technology advancement |
| South Indian Film Cinematographers Association | President | 2016-Present | Elected leadership position | Regional industry representation |
| Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC) | Founding Member | 1995-Present | Organization establishment | National cinematography standards |
| Samco Group | Member | 1970s-1980s | Cinema discussion collective | Early career networking |
Mentorship Legacy
| Mentee Name | Current Status | Notable Works | Career Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeeva | Established Cinematographer | Unnale Unnale, Dasavathaaram | Multiple awards winner |
| K. V. Anand | Director/Cinematographer | Ayan, Maattrraan | Successful director transition |
| Tirru | Leading Cinematographer | Enthiran, 2.0 | Big-budget specialist |
| M. S. Prabhu | Cinematographer | Various Tamil films | Industry recognition |
| Ramji | Cinematographer | Ghajini, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa | Commercial success |
| Preetha Jayaraman | Cinematographer (Niece) | Various Tamil productions | Family legacy continuation |
| Nirav Shah | Cinematographer | 2 States, Baahubali | Pan-Indian recognition |
| Sivakumar Vijayan | Cinematographer | Charlie, Trance | Contemporary acclaim |
| Arun Vincent | Cinematographer | Multiple projects | Emerging talent |
| Fowzia Fathima | Cinematographer | Various productions | Breaking gender barriers |
P. C. Sreeram Technology Innovation and Digital Cinema
Technological Contributions
| Innovation Area | Project/Initiative | Year | Impact | Industry Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Cinema | Vaanam Vasappadum | 2004 | First Indian HD digital film | Pioneer in digital filmmaking |
| Camera Techniques | Agni Natchathiram | 1988 | Revolutionary cinematography | New visual language |
| Digital Technology | Qube Cinemas Leadership | Present | Digital cinema solutions | Industry-wide adoption |
| Equipment Innovation | Various projects | 1980s-Present | Camera technology advancement | Technical standards elevation |
Qube Cinemas Company Profile
| Company Aspect | Details | P. C. Sreeram’s Role | Global Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Type | Digital cinema technology provider | President and strategic leader | 136 countries served |
| Core Services | End-to-end movie technology solutions | Technology vision and direction | Thousands of installations |
| Key Products | QubeMaster, Qube Wire, Digital servers | Product development oversight | Industry standard solutions |
| Innovation Focus | Digital cinema transformation | Industry expertise and guidance | Worldwide technology adoption |
P. C. Sreeram Key Collaborations
Director Partnerships
| Director | Number of Films | Notable Projects | Collaboration Period | Creative Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mani Ratnam | 7+ films | Mouna Ragam, Nayakan, Geethanjali, Thiruda Thiruda, Alaipayuthey, O Kadhal Kanmani | 1986-2015 | Career-defining partnership |
| R. Balki | 4 films | Cheeni Kum, Paa, Shamitabh, Ki & Ka, Pad Man | 2007-2018 | Bollywood success |
| Bharathan | 2+ films | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai, Thevar Magan | 1985-1992 | Early career development |
| Vikram Kumar | 2 films | 13B, Ishq | 2009-2012 | Contemporary techniques |
| Kamal Haasan | Multiple projects | Various collaborations | 1980s-Present | Long-term professional relationship |
Unknown Facts About P. C. Sreeram
Beyond his acclaimed cinematographic achievements, P. C. Sreeram possesses several fascinating lesser-known aspects that reveal the depth of his personality and unconventional journey to success.
Sreeram’s academic struggles during his school years at Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School were so significant that he barely managed to pass his examinations, showing little interest in traditional studies. This academic disinterest contrasted sharply with his passionate pursuit of photography, which eventually led him to join the Madras Film Institute after years of personal struggle and determination.
The “Samco” group, which included legendary figures like Kamal Haasan, C. Rudhraiya, Santhana Bharathi, Radharavi, R. C. Sakthi, and Mani Ratnam, would regularly meet at a hotel in Chennai during the late 1970s and early 1980s. These informal gatherings became crucial networking sessions where young film enthusiasts shared their cinema knowledge and discussed their future ambitions of creating perfect films, ultimately shaping the careers of multiple industry stalwarts.
His transition from cinematographer to technology executive demonstrates remarkable adaptability, as Sreeram successfully moved from hands-on creative work to strategic leadership in digital cinema technology. This career evolution showcases his forward-thinking approach and understanding of industry transformation trends.
Sreeram’s mentorship philosophy extends beyond technical training, as he focuses on developing the artistic vision and storytelling abilities of upcoming cinematographers. His protégés often credit him not just for technical knowledge but for teaching them how to use cinematography as a narrative tool.
The tragic loss of his daughter Swetha in 2012, who died at age 23 after falling from a friend’s house terrace, significantly impacted his personal life while he continued his professional commitments. This personal tragedy occurred during his active period in both cinematography and his growing involvement with digital cinema technology.
Lesser Known Facts About P. C. Sreeram
Several intriguing details about P. C. Sreeram’s background and working methods reveal interesting aspects of his personality and professional approach that fans and industry professionals rarely discuss.
Sreeram’s pioneering work on “Vaanam Vasappadum” in 2004 marked a historic milestone as the first Indian film to utilize high-definition digital technology, demonstrating his commitment to technological advancement years before digital filmmaking became industry standard. This project required extensive research and experimentation with equipment that was largely untested in Indian cinema conditions.
His collaboration philosophy involves extensive pre-production discussions with directors, often spending months planning shot compositions and visual narratives before filming begins. This meticulous preparation approach differs from many cinematographers who rely more heavily on spontaneous creative decisions during production.
The technical innovations he introduced during “Agni Natchathiram” included experimental lighting techniques and camera movements that became widely adopted throughout the Indian film industry. These innovations were developed through personal experimentation and consultation with international cinematography experts.
Sreeram’s influence extends beyond India through his work with Qube Cinemas, which serves 136 countries worldwide and has thousands of installations globally. His technology leadership role involves strategic decisions that affect how movies are distributed and exhibited internationally, making him one of the few cinematographers with direct impact on global cinema infrastructure.
His niece Preetha Jayaraman’s successful cinematography career represents a unique family legacy in Indian cinema, as she credits her uncle’s work and guidance as primary inspiration for entering the field. This mentorship relationship demonstrates how his influence extends through family connections into the next generation of filmmakers.
P. C. Sreeram Online Presence and Social Links
Official Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Username/Handle | Followers/Status | Link/URL | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| @pcsreeram | 2,209 followers | instagram.com/pcsreeram | Personal account | |
| Active presence | Industry engagement | Professional posts | Film industry discussions | |
| ISC Instagram | @isc.india | 28K followers | instagram.com/isc.india | ✓ Official ISC page |
Professional Profiles
| Platform Type | Platform Name | Profile Status | Link/URL | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMDb | Actor/Director Database | Complete Profile | imdb.com/name/nm0820269 | Filmography and credits |
| Wikipedia | Biography Page | Comprehensive | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._C._Sreeram | Career overview |
| TMDB | Movie Database | Active | themoviedb.org/person/96345-p-c-sreeram | Film database |
| Qube Cinemas | Corporate Profile | Official | qubecinema.com/content/pc-sreeram | Technology leadership |
| Apple TV | Streaming Profile | Active | tv.apple.com/us/person/pc-sreeram | Streaming content |
Company and Organization Links
| Organization | Role | Website/Platform | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qube Cinemas | President | qubecinema.com | Digital cinema technology company |
| Indian Society of Cinematographers | Founding Member | ISC Official Channels | Professional cinematography organization |
| South Indian Film Cinematographers Association | President | Professional networks | Regional industry representation |
Frequently Asked Questions About P. C. Sreeram
What is P. C. Sreeram’s net worth?
P. C. Sreeram’s estimated net worth is $2-5 million as of 2025, primarily from his cinematography work, directorial projects, and his current role as President of Qube Cinemas.
How old is P. C. Sreeram?
P. C. Sreeram is 69 years old, born on January 26, 1956 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
What is P. C. Sreeram famous for?
P. C. Sreeram is best known as one of India’s most respected cinematographers, particularly for his work with director Mani Ratnam on films like “Nayakan,” “Mouna Ragam,” and “Alaipayuthey.” He is also recognized for directing “Kuruthipunal,” which was India’s official entry to the Oscars in 1996.
How many National Awards has P. C. Sreeram won?
P. C. Sreeram has won one National Film Award for Best Cinematography for the film “Nayakan” in 1987, along with multiple other prestigious awards throughout his career.
What is P. C. Sreeram’s current role?
P. C. Sreeram currently serves as President of Qube Cinemas, a digital cinema technology company, and is also President of the South Indian Film Cinematographers Association.
Which directors has P. C. Sreeram worked with most?
P. C. Sreeram has had long-term collaborations with directors Mani Ratnam (7+ films) and R. Balki (4 films), along with significant work with Bharathan, Vikram Kumar, and Kamal Haasan.
How many films has P. C. Sreeram worked on?
P. C. Sreeram has worked as cinematographer on over 30 films spanning Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi languages, besides directing three films and numerous TV commercials.
Who are P. C. Sreeram’s notable protégés?
P. C. Sreeram has mentored many successful cinematographers including Jeeva, K. V. Anand, Tirru, M. S. Prabhu, Ramji, Nirav Shah, and his niece Preetha Jayaraman, among others.
