'You shouldn't be able to tell who shot a film'

Cinematographer Ravi K Chandran talks about working on Pawan Kalyan's They Call Him OG, his visual philosophy, why he likes to shoot in the mornings, and more

- BH HARSH

THINK of any great filmmaker of recent times, and chances are that cinematographer Ravi K Chandran has worked with them.

And yet, in his 35 years as one of the most acclaimed cinematographers of contemporary Indian cinema, Ravi hasn't found that many opportunities to work on action-driven films, his favourite genre as a movie-lover, until the Pawan Kalyan starrer, They Call Him OG, which released a few weeks ago.

As OG gears up for OTT premiere, the legendary cinematographer talks about collaborating with Sujeeth on the actioner, the reference points for the film's visual styling, why shooting in the mornings is the best, and more.

Excerpts:

It seems like you have been quite selective in your projects recently..

I have always been selective. I keep my basics simple and choose films that I want to do. I live in the same house I bought 35 years ago. When you come into films, you come here to make films, not to make money. I always advise my cinematographers not to buy equipment. Once you start thinking about buying a camera and renting it out later, something dies in you. It will distract you from your actual work.

You've also consistently been very keen on experimentation, be it lighting technique or equipment..