January 8, 2026: Filmmaker Geetu Mohandas has been in the spotlight after the trailer of her film Toxic released this week. Her husband, Rajeev Ravi, is also a prominent name in Indian cinema. He is a celebrated cinematographer, a director, and a frequent creative partner to Geetu.
Early life and training
Rajeev Ravi trained at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He began working in the film industry in the late 1990s and soon built a reputation for striking visuals and strong storytelling instincts.
Cinematography career
Rajeev made his debut as a cinematographer in 2001 with Madhur Bhandarkar’s Chandni Bar. He later collaborated with filmmakers such as Anurag Kashyap, shooting films like No Smoking, Dev D, Gulaal, Gangs of Wasseypur (Parts 1 and 2), and Udta Punjab.
He won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography twice — for Dev D (2010) and Liar’s Dice (2013).
Work as a director
Rajeev moved into direction with the 2013 film Annayum Rasoolum. Since then, he has directed several noted works, including Njan Steve Lopez, Kammatti Paadam, Kuttavum Shikshayum, and Thuramukham. Critics and audiences often praise his films for realistic storytelling and strong visual language.
Creative partnership with Geetu Mohandas
Rajeev and Geetu married in 2009. They have a daughter, Aradhana. The couple has worked together professionally. Rajeev served as cinematographer on Geetu’s Liar’s Dice, and their collaboration helped the film win recognition at the national level. Geetu has often spoken about Rajeev’s support during her filmmaking process.
Geetu Mohandas: from child actor to filmmaker
Geetu began acting as a child and won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist. She later acted in many Malayalam films. In 2009, she directed the short film Kelkkunnundo, which won a National Award. Her feature Liar’s Dice (2013) won a National Award and became India’s official entry to the 87th Academy Awards. In 2019, her film Moothon received international acclaim. Her new film Toxic is the latest entry in her filmmaking career.
A creative pair in Indian cinema
Both Rajeev and Geetu balance strong individual careers with joint projects. Rajeev’s eye for cinematography and Geetu’s narrative focus have made them one of contemporary Indian cinema’s respected couples.
