Sabu Cyril

Sabu Cyril
Sabu Cyril
Born	27 January 1962 (age 62); Valparai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nationality	Indian
Education	BSc Visual Communication
Alma mater	Madras College of Arts (1980–1985)
Occupation	Art director
Years active	1990–present
Known for	Production design
Notable work	Thenmavin Kombath, Kaalapani, Hey Ram, Aśoka, Yuva, Kannathil Muthamittal, Om Shanti Om, Enthiran, Baahubali
Awards	National Film Awards; (1994, 1995, 2007, 2010); Filmfare Awards ; (1994, 2000, 2005 (2), 2010)
Website	sabucyril.co

Sabu Cyril is an Indian film production designer. Having worked in 72 feature films and 500 ad films. He has won four National Film Award for Best Production Design, four state awards, six Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction (including south), five International Indian Film Academy Awards, and many other awards. His work in Enthiran won him international recognition. Over the years, he has emerged to be the most celebrated art director in the country.^[1]

Early life and education

Known as Sabu Cyril today, he was born as Sebastian Vincent Cyril in the hill station of Valparai, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu. He completed his schooling in Asan Memorial in Chennai; he graduated from the Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai, formerly Government School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai).^[2] It was his grandfather, George Vincent, who first called him as 'Sabu'. George Vincent was known for opening the first photography studio in Malabar, Kozhikode, called Chitra Studio. His son, A. Vincent, Sabu's uncle, was a reputed cinematographer and director in South Indian cinema. Vincent's sons, Jayanan Vincent and Ajayan Vincent, who are both cinematographers, are Sabu's cousins.

It was probably his proximity to nature, wildlife, and cinema that subconsciously helped Sabu develop an affinity to the world of aesthetics and design. Ever since he was a child, Sabu was always interested in knowing how things work and how this can be applied in everyday life. This curiosity drew him to the world of physics and chemistry, which helped him develop a scientific and practical outlook to problem-solving. Sabu started his career as a graphic designer and illustrator. It was only as a favour to a friend that he entered a film set. Circumstance and chance made Sabu an art director on his first ever film. He believed that he could rise to the challenge because of his inclination towards science and art, it may seem as if he was destined to be a production designer all along.

Career

From 1982 to 1988, he was a freelance graphics designer for companies such as Welcomgroup Hotels, the Taj Group of Hotels, and Madura Coats. In 1988, he began his art director career, and has directed more than 2,500 advertisements, 3 teleserials and 115 feature films in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada and designed several stage shows. In 1996, he directed the stage design for the Miss World beauty pageant.^[3] He also worked as one of the 2nd unit Art Directors in the 1990 film Iyer the Great.^[4]

Filmography

As art director

Malayalam

Iyer the Great (1990)
Amaram (1991)
Uncle Bun (1991)
Adwaytham (1991)
Mahanagaram (1992)
Dhruvam (1993)
Minnaram (1994)
Thenmavin Kombath (1994)
Pavithram (1994)
Sainyam (1994)
Maanthrikam (1995)
Kaalapani (1996)^[5]
Chandralekha (1997)
Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (1999)
Megham (1999)
Raakilipattu (2000)
Kakkakuyil (2001)
Kilichundan Mampazham (2003)
Magic Magic 3D (2003)
Aakasha Gopuram (2008)
Oru Marubhoomikkadha (2011)
Kolaambi (2019)
Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021)

Hindi

Muskurahat (1992)
Gardish (1993)^[6]
Virasat (1997)
Saat Rang Ke Sapne (1998)
Kabhi Na Kabhi (1998)
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998)
Major Saab (1998)
Pukar (2000)
Hey Ram (2000)^[7]
Hera Pheri (2000)
Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya (2000)
Aśoka (2001)^[8]
Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai (2001)
Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar (2001)
Om Jai Jagadish (2002)
Hungama (2003)
Khushi (2003)
Main Hoon Na (2003)
Yuva (2004)^[9]
Hulchul (2004)
Phir Milenge
Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005)
Garam Masala (2005)
Kyon Ki (2005)
Chup Chup Ke (2006)
Malamaal Weekly (2006)
Jaan-E-Mann (2006)
Bhagam Bhag (2006)
Welcome (2007)
Dhol (2007)
Guru (2007)
Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)
Om Shanti Om (2007)
Mere Baap Pehle Aap (2008)
Aladin (2009)
De Dana Dan (2009)
Billu (2009)
Khatta Meetha (2010)
Bumm Bumm Bole (2010)
Aakrosh (2010)
Tees Maar Khan (2010)
Ra.One (2011)
Tezz (2012)
Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (2012)
Son of Sardaar (2012)
Rangrezz (2013)
Himmatwala (2013)
Run Bhola Run (2013)
Krrish 3 (2013)
Final Cut of Director (2016)
Shivaay (2016)
Saaho (2019)

Tamil

Kalaignan (1993)
Pudhiya Mugam (1993)
Paasamalargal (1994)
Kannathil Muthamittal (2001)^[10]
Citizen (2001)
Thamizhan (2002)
Panchathantiram (2002)
Iyarkai (2003)
Boys (2003)
Lesa Lesa (2003)
Ayutha Ezhuthu (2004)
Anniyan (2005)
Kanchivaram (2008)
Enthiran (2010) (also cameo appearance as Shah, Mr.Bohra's agent/translator)
Yaan (2014)
Lingaa (2014)
Sometimes (2018)

Telugu

Gandeevam (1994)
Devi Putrudu (2001)
Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017)^[11]
Saaho (2019)
RRR (2022)
Devara: Part 1 (2024)

Kannada

Cheluvi (1992)
Chinna (1994)

As actor

Tamil

Vikram (1986)
Enthiran (2010)

Malayalam

Aquarium (2022)^[12]

Awards

National Film Awards

1994 – Best Production Designer – Thenmavin Kombath (Malayalam)
1995 – Best Production Designer – Kaalapani (Malayalam)
2007 – Best Production Designer – Om Shanti Om (Hindi)
2010 – Best Production Designer – Enthiran (Tamil)

Nandi Awards

2015 - Nandi Award for Best Art Director - Baahubali

Kerala State Film Awards

1994 – Best Art Director – Thenmavin Kombath
1995 – Best Art Director – Kaalapani

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

2002 – Best Art Director – Kannathil Muthamittal

Filmfare Awards

1994 – Best Art Direction – Gardish
2000 – Best Art Direction – Hey Ram
2005 – Best Art Direction – Yuva

Filmfare Awards South

2005 – Best Art Director – Anniyan
2010 – Best Art Director – Enthiran
2017 - Best Art Director - Baahubali: The Conclusion

Vijay Awards

2014 – Vijay Award for Best Art Director – Lingaa

International Indian Film Academy Awards

2007 – Best Art Direction – Om Shanti Om
2009 – Best Art Direction – Aladin
2010 – Best Art Direction – Enthiran
2011 – Best Art Direction – Ra.One
2015 - Best Art Direction – Baahubali

South Indian International Movie Awards

2012 – Generation Next Award (Sensational Art Director)

Global Indian Film Awards

2004 – Best Art Director – Main Hoon Na

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

1994 – Best Art Director – Thenmavin Kombath

International Tamil Film Awards

2003 – Best Art Director – Boys

Asianet Film Awards

1999 – Best Art Director – Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu, Megham

Kerala Film Journals' Awards

1991 – Best Art Director – Adwaytham

Kerala Janakiya Awards

1995 – Best Art Director – Maanthrikam

Kaumudi Awards

1994 – Best Art Director – Thenmavin Kombath

Other awards

1985 – Best Outgoing Student (University of Madras) award by Government of Tamil Nadu
Kalavedi Award (Madras) – In recognition of commendable service to the cause of fostering human integration.
People of Arts Centre (Bombay) – In appreciation of Sazaa-E-Kaala Paani

References

^ Sreedhar Pillai (17 February 2006). "The reel world of Sabu Cyril". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 October 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ "കലയുടെ മര്‍മമറിഞ്ഞ്" [Mystery of Art]. Mathrubhumi Movies. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
^ Chandu Gopalakrishnan (31 January 2011). "Production designer Sabu Cyril: Making a difficult craft look easy". The Economic Times. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art!". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Kaalapani". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Gardish". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Hey Ram". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Asoka". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Yuva". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Kannathil Muthamittal". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ "National Award Winning Art Director for Prabhas Movie". Times of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ "HC grants permission to release 'Aquarium' after 10 years". English.Mathrubhumi. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.

External links

Official website
Sabu Cyril at IMDb

[1] Sreedhar Pillai (17 February 2006). "The reel world of Sabu Cyril". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 October 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[2] "കലയുടെ മര്‍മമറിഞ്ഞ്" [Mystery of Art]. Mathrubhumi Movies. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2013.

[3] Chandu Gopalakrishnan (31 January 2011). "Production designer Sabu Cyril: Making a difficult craft look easy". The Economic Times. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[4] Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art!". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[5] Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Kaalapani". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[6] Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Gardish". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[7] Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Hey Ram". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[8] Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Asoka". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[9] Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Yuva". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[10] Shobha Warrier (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Kannathil Muthamittal". rediff.com. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[11] "National Award Winning Art Director for Prabhas Movie". Times of Andhra Pradesh. Archived from the original on 24 May 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[12] "HC grants permission to release 'Aquarium' after 10 years". English.Mathrubhumi. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2023.

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v t e National Film Award for Best Production Design
1980	Jayoo Patwardhan (1980)
1981–2000	Meera Lakhia (1981) Manzoor (1982) Nitish Roy (1983) Nitish Roy (1984) Nachiket Patwardhan and Jayoo Patwardhan (1985) Sham Bhutker (1986) P. Krishnamoorthy (1987) Thota Tharani (1988) T. Vaikundam (1989) P. Krishnamoorthy (1990) Nitish Roy (1991) Samir Chanda (1992) Samir Chanda (1993) Suresh Sawant (1994) Sabu Cyril (1995) Sabu Cyril (1996) Thota Tharani (1997) Ramesh Desai (1998) Nitin Chandrakant Desai (1999) P. Krishnamoorthy (2000)
2001–present	Nitin Chandrakant Desai (2001) Nitin Chandrakant Desai (2002) Indranil Ghosh and Sharmishta Roy (2003) Samir Chanda (2004) C. B. More (2005) Rashid Rangrez (2006) Sabu Cyril (2007) Gautam Sen (2008) Samir Chanda (2009) Sabu Cyril (2010) Indranil Ghosh (2011) Boontawee 'Thor', Taweepasas and N. Ilayaraja (2012) Ashim Ahluwalia, Tabasheer Zutshi and Parichit Paralkar (2013) Aparna Raina (2014) Shriram Iyengar, Saloni Dhatrak, and Sujeet Sawant (2015) Subrata Chakraborthy, Shreyas Khedekar, and Amit Ray (2016) Santhosh Raman (2017) Vinesh Banglan (2018)