Cinematography
Chota K. Naidu, born in 1962, is a renowned Indian cinematographer known for his unique style of cinematography. He has made notable contributions to films such as "Matru Devo Bhava," "Choodalani Vundi," and "Kotha Bangaru Lokam." Naidu is associated with various professional organizations, including the Indian Society of Cinematographers, the South Indian Cinematographers Association, and the Telugu Cinematographers Association.
Throughout his career, Naidu has received accolades for his cinematography. He has been honored with two state Nandi Awards for his work in films like "Anji" and "Kotha Bangaru Lokam." Additionally, he has received two Filmfare Awards South for his outstanding cinematography in "Kotha Bangaru Lokam" and "Damarukam." His talent and contributions to both the Indian film and television industries, spanning over 30 years, have been widely appreciated.
Naidu was born in Ramachandrapuram, East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. His father, Chitti Babu Naidu, is a writer and director of stage plays, while his mother, Ananthalakshmi, is a housewife. He comes from a family with a background in engineering. His elder sister, Padma Latha, is an electronics engineer, and his elder brother, K.V.S. Naidu, is a mechanical engineer. His younger sister, Kanaka Durga, is also an electronics engineer, and his younger brother, Shyam K. Naidu, is a cinematographer.
During his formative years, Naidu's passion for cinema led him to spend most of his time watching films rather than focusing on his studies. This resulted in him failing his 10th standard exams. However, his father recognized his interest and challenged him to pass his exams. If successful, his father promised to employ him in the film industry. Naidu accepted the challenge, passed the exams, and became a camera apprentice at Devar Films' outdoor unit, a camera rental house in Chennai, in 1979. He later joined the Taraka Prabhu outdoor unit under the guidance of Dasari Narayana Rao.
During the 1980s, Naidu worked as a focus puller with renowned cinematographers across India, which provided him with valuable experience. He draws inspiration from DOP (Director of Photography) V.S.R. Swamy, whom he considers his role model, appreciating his discipline, dedication, and craftsmanship.
Overall, Chota K. Naidu has established himself as a talented and respected cinematographer in the Indian film industry, contributing his skills to Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films, as well as television productions.