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.

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). 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.

Filmography

As art director

Malayalam

Hindi

Tamil

Telugu

Kannada

As actor

Tamil

Malayalam

Awards