The art of cinema is incomplete without cinematography. Known by the modern term ‘Director of Photography (DOP)’, these technicians are responsible for translating the director’s vision on to the show reels. The camerawork for a film is of ultimate importance because that is what differentiates cinema from other works of art. The cameraperson plays with the light, natural and artificial, and creates a world of visual delight and opulence. Without them, the art of cinema will be reduced to something that it is not.
Indian cinema has seen some fantastic cinematographers in the past and also in the present times. Many of them can be compared with the best in the world. Some of them are also celebrities in their own rights. The name that first comes to mind when you say modern Indian cinematography is of Santosh Sivan. This South Indian DOP has shot some excellent films over the years and later turned director with movies like ‘The Terrorist’ and ‘Asoka’. He has won innumerable national and internal awards. His work with ace director Mani Ratnam (even in his latest dud ‘Raavan’) is to be seen to be believed. He recently started work on a new film as director. It’ll be a bilingual and a period drama in Malayalam and Tamil with a working title — Urumi (a flexible sword) — and will star Prithviraj and the hot and happening Genelia D’Souza.
Another South Indian cinematographer who has made waves is Ravi K. Chandran. He shot to fame with the cult movie ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. Then he went on to shoot some excellent movies like ‘Black’ and ‘Ghajini’. He’s the top choice for directors now. One must also mention the name of Binod Pradhan, who burst into the limelight with Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s ‘1942 – A Love Story’. He won a lot of acclaim for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Devdas’ and the super-hit Munnabhai series.
The team work of the cinematographer and the director is what makes movies what they are. It’s an encouraging trend that they are coming out of the shadow of the camera and making their presence felt as significant contributors to the art of filmmaking.
Text Copyright @ Bollywood Gossips
Loading ...