A cinematographer and director of international repute, Santosh Sivan was born in Madras. His father, also a well-known cinematographer and director, encouraged his early interest in photography. Sivan went on to study cinematography at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). A short film that he made at the beginning of his career, The Story of Tiblu, won the 1988 National Film Award for Best Short Fiction Film.

Santosh Sivan began his career as a cinematographer in south Indian films. He made his debut in Hindi cinema with Raakh. His work gained nationwide attention in director Mani Ratham`s Roja, the stunning visuals of which were shot in lush landscapes. The same year saw the release of Kalpana Lajmi`s Rudaali, which Sivan shot in a desert. These films established Sivan as a leading cinematographer in the country. His other major films include Ratnam`s Dil Se and the award-winning Tamil film, Iruvar.

With the release of a children`s film Halo, Santosh Sivan proved his directorial talent; the film won the National Film Award for Best Children`s Film in 1996. He went on to direct The Terrorist. This film told the story of a suicide bomber. Although the film did not meet commercial success, it received critical appreciation. The Terrorist won three top awards at the 22nd Cairo International Film Festival in 1999: Best Film, Best Director and Best Artist. Apart from winning a string of other international awards, it also bagged the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. In 2001, Santosh Sivan directed and shot his most ambitious work yet, the historical epic Asoka.

Sivan has won five National and two Filmfare awards for cinematography.