Manish Usapkar is a Mumbai-based cinematographer working across advertising and narrative filmmaking.

He studied Mass Media, specialising in Advertising, before finding his way into cinematography and learning the craft on the job. Working across different formats and sets has shaped an instinctive approach to cinematography, with a strong belief in discovering the visual language of a story rather than imposing one on it.

Alongside his independent work in advertising, he has worked as a Second Unit DOP on several long-format productions, including Bandar, which premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, as well as Amazon Prime projects Adarsh Bal Vidyalaya, Lukkhe, Dhoom Dhaam and A Thursday.

He enjoys moving between advertising and narrative filmmaking, finding the balance between a strong visual idea, the demands of the medium, and what the story ultimately needs.