Tapan Basu
Updated: Jun 25
Based in Mumbai
Tapan Basu ISC is a cinematographer from Kolkata, India, whose journey into film and photography began during his schooling in Darjeeling, where he first developed his distinctive visual aesthetic.
A graduate of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India, he has since built an expansive career in advertising, shooting over 1,500 commercials for brands such as Ford, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Sony, and Procter & Gamble.
His work includes some of the most celebrated campaigns in recent years, such as Quaker – Bowl of Growth, Lifebuoy – Gondappa, the Incredible India campaign, Nanhi Kali – The Tale of Two Lajjos, Bhima Jewellery featuring Pooja Hegde, Asian Paints with Deepika Padukone, Lifebuoy with Shah Rukh Khan, Pepsi – Kamaaal! Kya Taste Hai Yaar, Samsonite with Amitabh Bachchan, Vicks – Tattoo, and JSW for the Olympics, among many others. His film for Quaker – Bowl of Growth earned him the Gold for Cinematography – Narrative (Online).
Recognised for his ability to capture the soul of a story and translate it into striking visual language, Tapan’s work has taken him beyond India to advertising industries across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States.
He was inducted as a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers in 2021, further cementing his standing in the industry. Alongside advertising, he has also brought his craft to feature films, receiving critical acclaim for Kahaani 2 and Romeo Akbar Walter (R.A.W.), the latter of which was featured in American Cinematographer.
In 2025, he also served as a jury member for the Film Craft – Colour Grading category. Catch Tapan Basu in conversation with some of India’s top 1% ad-film Cinematographers' at the Good Ads Matter Cinematographers' Roundtable — on our YouTube channel.
Social Media Handle:
Instagram - @tapanbasu
Website: