[1][2][3] He is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.
He has worked in several documentaries and Non feature films in his early days.
He is a member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).
Mohanan was born into an orthodox Nair-Poduval family.
His father, P. G. Poduval, was a well-known Kolkali singer in Payyanur, Kannur, Kerala.