Sabu Cyril

Early life and education

Cyril 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). 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. He also worked as one of the 2nd unit Art Directors in the 1990 film Iyer the Great.

Working Still Robo RAJINI.jpg Working Stills Robo 1.jpg Working Stills Bahubali With Rajamouli.jpg Robo With Shankar.jpg Bahubali With Prabhas.jpg

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)
• 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)
• Virasat (1997)
• Saat Rang Ke Sapne (1998)
• Kabhi Na Kabhi (1998)
• Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1998)
• Major Saab (1998)
• Pukar (2000)
• Hey Ram (2000)
• Hera Pheri (2000)
• Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya (2000)
• Aśoka (2001)
• 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)
• 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)
• Bhooth Bangla (2026)
• Haiwaan

Tamil

• Kalaignan (1993)
• Pudhiya Mugam (1993)
• Paasamalargal (1994)
• Kannathil Muthamittal (2001)
• 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)
• Saaho (2019)
• RRR (2022)
• Devara: Part 1 (2024)

Kannada

• Cheluvi (1992)
• Chinna (1994)

As actor

Tamil

• Vikram (1986)
• Enthiran (2010)

Malayalam

• Aquarium (2022)

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

References

1. Sreedhar Pillai. (17 February 2006). "The reel world of Sabu Cyril". [[The Hindu]].
2. "കലയുടെ മര്‍മമറിഞ്ഞ്". Mathrubhumi Movies.
3. Chandu Gopalakrishnan. (31 January 2011). "Production designer Sabu Cyril: Making a difficult craft look easy". The Economic Times.
4. Shobha Warrier. (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art!". rediff.com.
5. Shobha Warrier. (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Kaalapani". rediff.com.
6. Shobha Warrier. (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Gardish". rediff.com.
7. Shobha Warrier. (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Hey Ram". rediff.com.
8. Shobha Warrier. (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Asoka". rediff.com.
9. Shobha Warrier. (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Yuva". rediff.com.
10. (4 April 2025). "Akshay Kumar, Tabu set to shoot Bhooth Bangla’s climax in Hyderabad".
11. (15 November 2025). "Priyadarshan Shares a Lovely On Set Moment As Mohanlal Joins Saif Ali Khan in Haiwan".
12. Shobha Warrier. (12 July 2004). "Sabu Cyril's works of art! – Kannathil Muthamittal". rediff.com.
13. "National Award Winning Art Director for Prabhas Movie". Times of Andhra Pradesh.
14. (9 April 2022). "HC grants permission to release 'Aquarium' after 10 years".