Chezhiyan R (1968 – 2026)
Written and published by the SouleMap editorial team. Published July 10, 2026. This tribute was not created by the family. Are you a family member? Claim this memorial.
In loving memory of Chezhiyan R. Born July 20, 1968. Passed away July 10, 2026. Final resting place: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Their Story
Chezhiyan (20 July 1968 – 10 July 2026) was a visionary Indian filmmaker and cinematographer who shaped the landscape of Tamil cinema through his distinctive visual storytelling. Born in Sivaganga to schoolteacher parents—his father an artist and toy maker, his mother a storyteller and singer—Chezhiyan pursued civil engineering before following his true passion for cinema. Beginning as an apprentice under legendary cinematographer P.C. Sreeram, he established himself as a full-fledged cinematographer with Kalloori in 2007, earning critical acclaim for his ability to capture authentic, lived-in worlds. His cinematography for Paradesi (2013) won the prestigious Best Cinematography Award at the 2013 BFI London Film Festival, while his later work on films like Joker demonstrated his mastery of visual storytelling. In 2017, Chezhiyan made his directorial debut with To Let, a moving portrait of a middle-class family's struggle to find rental housing, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. Beyond cinema, he was recognized as a literary talent, winning the Katha award for his short story and authoring a series of books on world cinema in Tamil. Through his hyper-realistic visual style and mentorship of emerging filmmakers, Chezhiyan left an indelible mark on Tamil cinema, elevating the stories of ordinary people to universal significance.
Sources
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