Shooting Stars

DOPs Santosh Sivan and Anil Mehta share insightful experiences whilst filming Chekka Chivantha Vaanam and Sui Dhaaga respectively

- Anisha Gakhar

When one comes across a cinematographer, who possesses paramount prowess, along with a never-dying zeal to imbibe learning like it is an everyday regimen; it instills a lesson in us: cinematography is more an art form, than a mere 9-to-5 drill. Our glorious film industry is flanked by exceptional cinematographers and Directors of Photography (DOPs); two such names that command respect globally, are Anil Mehta and Santosh Sivan.

STRONG FOUNDATIONS

Anil Mehta adorns umpteen hats: a veteran cinematographer, a passionate writer and a respectable director. He studied cinematography at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune; and has never looked back since. He has shot some of the most enchanting Bollywood movies including, Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Lagaan (2001), Saathiya (2002), Veer-Zaara (2004) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) amongst other blockbuster hits.

Mehta’s first feature film, Aaja Nachle, starring Madhuri Dixit, Konkana Sen, Akshaye Khanna and Kunla Kapoor, was produced by Yash Raj Films, and was released in 2007. He was conferred the National Film Award for Best Cinematography, for his work in the cult hit, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999).

Santosh Sivan is an Indian cinematographer, film director, producer and actor, well respected for his breakthrough works in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinema. Sivan also shares the same alma mater as Mehta: FTII. Sivan has completed 45 feature films, 41 documentaries, and is a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).

Sivan became the first cinematographer in the Asia-Pacific region, to be honoured with the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) membership. He has won five National Film Awards – including four for Best Feature Film Cinematography. He was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian cinema in 2014.