Of light, angles, frames & films

Cameraman Rathanavelu aka Randy is a delighted man today.
And he has every reason to be. His work in Gautham Menon���s Vaaranam Aayiram (VA) has not only come in for praise, but has also been recognised by experts, as an example of fine cinematography. To add to his joy, the cameraman is now working with Superstar Rajinikanth in Shankar���s Endhiran.Chennai Times caught up with the cinematographer for an exclusive...
On Endhiran...
It���s Shankar���s dream project. As far as the look of the film is concerned, it will be glossy. It���s not going to be like Sethu or Vaaranam Aayiram, where I���ve opted for emotional photography. There are several reasons why this movie is special. Generally, computer graphics (CG) is done after the shooting. But in Endhiran, CG work is proceeding simultaneously. We have done a lot of pre-production work. In fact, more effort has gone into pre-production than shooting. This saves a lot of time and money. We���ve just finished a couple of songs and a few scenes. For the first time in the history of Tamil cinema, CG work is being used to visualise the outcome of the product, even before shooting begins. Based on the CG work, experts are giving their opinions on the budget and the effort that is going to be required to complete a particular scene.
On Shankar...
He has had this subject in mind for the last eight years and originally had Kamal Haasan in mind. However, because of date problems, it didn���t work out. Shankar is a meticulous planner and is a cool and organised person. He gives me a lot of room in terms of creativity. On Vaaranam Aayiram...
People have been generous with their praise for my work in VA. In fact, Kodak conducted a technical screening on VA recently. The technical screening was for students of cinematography and I was asked to speak on the occasion. Balu Mahendra, who along with several cinematographers was present at the workshop, said the movie was a masterpiece and that he got nostalgic while watching it. Surya���s done a wonderful job in the film. It���s easy for one to play a youngster���s role but playing an old person is difficult.
As far as VA is concerned, Gautham and I have something in common. Before VA���s shooting began, I was working on the grading of a Telugu film in Mumbai. My father was on his death bed. Doctors had given him two days to live. I wanted to stay with him throughout that period but I was under a lot of pressure from the producer to complete the work. So, I thought I���d leave by a morning flight, finish my work and return by the evening flight. When I was in Mumbai, I received a call saying that my dad was struggling. I rushed to the airport but my flight had been cancelled. I felt bitter and realised what a big mistake I had committed. The next flight was at 9.00 pm, which I took. When I reached Kathipara junction here, I received the news that he had passed away. I was emotionally shattered. One week later, Gautham���s dad passed away. He was also abroad when his father passed away. I could understand his pain.
These incidents might have influenced Gautham to add the sequence of Surya���s dad passing away in his absence in VA.
On Dhoni...
We shot an advertisement with Dhoni in Kolkata recently. He is such a cool guy. We did the same commercial in Hindi and English. Generally, artistes would complete one commercial and ask us to dub the Hindi version. However, Dhoni finished the English take and then did the Hindi take.
Some eight to ten years back, I worked with another cricketer, who on reaching the sets asked me, ���When are we packing up?��� I was shocked. But Dhoni, on the other hand, is very dedicated. I think he can become a hero any day.