Indian cinema is growing

���I don���t like to talk about the past. I find the future more exciting,��� begins PC Sreeram, a pioneer in cinematography in the south.
The legendary cameraman���s success can be attributed to his ability to put the past behind him.
Though PC, as he is fondly called, is selective about the films he works on, his extraordinary work has made strong impressions on his audience.With an impressive list of films to his credit, including Agni Nakshatram, Nayagan, Thevar Magan, Mouna Ragam, Kuruthipunal, Thiruda Thiruda and Alaipayuthey, the cinematographer says, ���I accept a film only if the script is in tune with my style of working. I don���t like to take up scripts that I���m not comfortable with,��� he states.
Talk about his recent release Yaavarum Nalam (13B in Hindi) and PC���s face lights up. ���I have never done a film of this genre before. So, when the script was narrated to me, I immediately started visualising how I was going to present the story on screen. Moreover, the fact that there were no gory scenes in the movie excited me. It was up to me to create fear using my lens,��� he explains.
���The tone of Yaavarum Nalam is unique. Samir Chanda, Vikram Kumar and I had discussed the colour palette even before we started shooting. There were only three significant locations in the film ��� the house, lift and the parking lot. I had to make the best use of these locations. It was a quite a challenge to bring out fear in the subconscious mind.���
When the reclusive cameraman came forward to speak about the film during its audio launch, it turned quite a few heads. ���When I saw the trailer of Yaavarum Nalam, I was confident that the film would do well,��� he says.
Romance and spooky subjects are not new to the lensman. ���I still remember how terrified I was while returning home after watching Nenjam Marapathillai and Athey Kangal. Spooky themes were great entertainers. One of the recent films that struck an instant chord with me is A Wednesday. Even though it doesn���t fall under this genre, I enjoyed every frame,��� says he.
The success of Indian films abroad has given the ace cinematographer new energy. ���Indian cinema is on a creative high. Audiences have started accepting diverse scripts rather than the usual entertainers. People���s mindset have changed, this is a healthy trend. The success of Slumdog Millionaire has given immense confidence to the filmmakers here. The focus of the world is slowly shifting to India and it���s not long before Indian technicians will be making English films.���
The lensman is currently busy with his forthcoming project Pa where he has teamed up with Amitabh Bachchan and director R Balakrishna for the second time after Cheeni Kum. Is PC eager to wield the megaphone again after Meera, Kuruthipunal and Vaanam Vasapadum? ���I may direct films in future. But right now, there���s nothing on the cards.��� On the film that he considers his career���s best, he winds up saying, ���The best is yet to come.���
sangeetha.p@timesgroup.com