Kabir Lal
Indian cinematographer and film director
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Kabir Lal is an Indian cinematographer and director, known for his work in Hindi, Kannada, and Telugu-language films.
Personal life and career
His father was S. S. Lal, who worked as a cinematographer for Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films, and his elder brother was Johny Lal, who was also a cinematographer mainly in Hindi cinema.[1] Kabir Lal initially worked as an operative cameraman for the Kannada film Bhakta Prahlada (1983) and worked alongside his father before making his debut as an independent cameraman for the film Kartavya (1985).[2][3][4] He would go on to work on 25 more Kannada films before working in Hindi films.[4] Some of the notable films that he worked on include Pardes (1997), Taal (1999), Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000), Apne (2007), and Welcome Back (2015).[4][5][6]
He initially was to make his debut as a director and worked for a film set in Rajasthan in 2010 but the film did not reach fruition.[1] He made his debut as a director for the Marathi, Bengali, Tamil and Telugu remakes of the Spanish film Julia's Eyes with his son Syed Shahid Lal as the cinematographer.[4] While the Marathi version Adrushya was released in 2022, the Tamil and Telugu versions titled Unpaarvaiyil and Divya Drushti had a delayed direct to television release in 2025 on Sun NXT.[5] The Bengali version titled Antardrishti remains unreleased.[7]
Filmography
As cinematographer
| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Agni Samadhi | Telugu | |
| 1984 | Yarivanu | Kannada | |
| Nayakulaku Saval | Telugu | ||
| Baddi Bangaramma | Kannada | ||
| 1985 | Veeradhi Veera | Kannada | |
| Thayiye Nanna Devaru | Kannada | ||
| Nanna Prathigne | Kannada | ||
| Kartavya | Kannada | ||
| Maruthi Mahime | Kannada | ||
| 1986 | Brahmasthra | Kannada | |
| Tiger | Kannada | ||
| Agni Parikshe | Kannada | ||
| 1987 | Athiratha Maharatha | Kannada | |
| Lorry Driver | Kannada | ||
| Bazar Bheema | Kannada | ||
| 1988 | Shakthi | Kannada | |
| Dharmathma | Kannada | ||
| 1989 | Ondagi Balu | Kannada | |
| Bidisada Bandha | Kannada | ||
| Muthinantha Manushya | Kannada | ||
| Raja Yuvaraja | Kannada | ||
| Sankranthi | Kannada | ||
| Thayigobba Tharle Maga | Kannada | ||
| 1990 | Kempu Gulabi | Kannada | |
| Sri Satyanarayana Pooja Phala | Kannada | ||
| 1991 | Aditya 369 | Telugu | |
| Golmal Part-2 | Kannada | ||
| 1992 | Guru Brahma | Kannada | |
| Sriramachandra | Kannada | ||
| 1993 | Prana Snehitha | Kannada | |
| Rang | Hindi | ||
| 1994 | Bhairava Dweepam | Telugu | |
| 1995 | Saajan Ki Baahon Mein | Hindi | |
| Chiranjeevi Rajegowda | Kannada | ||
| 1997 | Hameshaa | Hindi | |
| Pardes | |||
| 1998 | Prem Aggan | ||
| 1999 | Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain | ||
| Taal | |||
| 2000 | Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai | ||
| Pukar | Additional cinematography | ||
| Khauff | |||
| Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai | |||
| 2001 | Yaadein | ||
| 2002 | Om Jai Jagadish | ||
| 2003 | Tujhe Meri Kasam | ||
| The Hero: Love Story of a Spy | |||
| Kabirdas | Telugu | ||
| 2004 | Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyo | Hindi | |
| 2005 | Andarivaadu | Telugu | |
| 2006 | Style | ||
| 2007 | Apne | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Yuvvraaj | ||
| 2010 | Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu | Kannada | |
| 2011 | Yamla Pagla Deewana | Hindi | |
| Naughty @ 40 | |||
| Love Express | |||
| 2012 | Chaar Din Ki Chandni | ||
| 2014 | Double Di Trouble | Punjabi | |
| 2015 | Welcome Back | Hindi | |
| 2016 | Warrior Savitri | ||
| 2017-2018 | Porus | TV series | |
| 2018 | Bhaiaji Superhit | ||
| 2022 | Heropanti 2 | ||
| 2024 | Hrashwo Deergha | Nepali | |
| Vanvaas | Hindi | ||
| 2026 | Welcome to the Jungle | ||
As film director
- Adrushya (2022; Marathi)
- Unpaarvaiyil (2025; Tamil)
- Divya Drushti (2025; Telugu)
Accolades
- Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography - Taal (1999)[8]
- Zee Cine Award for Best Cinematography - Taal (1999)[9]