Biography

Childhood

Born on 10 January, 1962, Nagendra Kumar grew up and studied in Bangalore. He was quite an active child with his activities and hobbies ranging from swimming, body building to cricket.

In his early teen years his creative interests led him to form a music band along with his younger brother and friends. He was the band drummer and one of the lead vocals. The band gave many local performances in Bangalore.

Early Film Years

With director Relangi Narasimha Rao

In the year 1980, he shifted to Chennai and entered the Telugu film industry as an assistant cameraman the subsequent year.

With Kabir Lal on the sets of 'Ramba Rambabu'

His first film as an assistant cameraman was 'Evandoi Srimathi Garu'. He moved up to Operative Cameraman under the well-known Cinematographer Kabir Lal.

With director Jandhyala for the film 'Rendu Rella Aaru'

He worked for more than 60 films under various cinematographers before become a Director of Photography himself in the year 1990.

With Shankar Nag for a Kannada film

 

Career in Cinematography

His debut film as a Cinematographer was 'Srivari Chindulu'. He went on to be the Director of Photography for more than 25 films.

On the sets of 'Srivari Chindulu'

Opening of 'Akka Pethannam Chelleli Kapuram' with Meena, Jayachitra, D. Ramanaidu, Dorasamy Raju, Dasari Narayana Rao, Vekatesh and Kota Srinivasa Rao

In the year 1999, he moved from Chennai to Hyderabad and continued working as a Cinematographer for Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, Bihari, Marathi, Oriya and Urdu films and television projects. So far he had worked for more than 50 film and television projects.

Sets of Kannada film 'Raja' starring Shiva Rajkumar

With Raghavendra Rajkumar for the film 'Geluvina Sardara' produced by Dr. Rajkumar

Turning a Film Director

Year 2006 saw his directorial debut with the Telugu feature film 'Thanu' starring Suhasini Maniratnam.

 

With Srikanth, Archana (Veda), Puri Jagannath, Rajamouli and producer Hari at audio release of 'Thanu'

 

With Suhasini Maniratnam for 'Thanu'.

The subsequent two years he director two more films - the Telugu film 'Naa Girlfriend Baga Rich' and the Tamil film 'Ullamellam Thalladuthey'.

Directing Shivaji and Brahmanandam for 'Naa Girlfriend Baga Rich'

He is continuing to work as a Cinematographer for various film projects as well.