'Fame Changes Every Three Days'

‘A lot of people are famous. But for how long will you be there?’ changes after every three days of release, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.’

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Remember the dreamlike visual landscape of Barfi and Jagga Jasoos? Or the poetic visual language of Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and Tamasha? The imagery of these films was one among the most important elements, skillfully put together by Cinematographer Ravi Varman's artistic and technical brilliance, also seen in films like Anniyan, Kaatru Veliyidai, Ponniyin Selvan I and II. Leaving behind the traces of his rocky childhood, Varman began his journey into cinema at a very tender age. Over the last 25 years as lensman, he built an illustrious behind-the-camera career working across languages in the film and advertising world. Varman's talent gives him a global pedestal as he becomes the member of the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers, putting him in the company of Roger Deakins (1917, Blade Runner 2049), Wally Pfister (Inception, The Prestige), Greig Fraser (Lion, The Batman, Dune series), among others. Varman, who becomes the second Indian to be inducted into the American Society of Cinematographers after Santosh Sivan, hopes that this recognition will inspire many budding cinematographers to follow in his footsteps. "We tell everybody that cinema is art. I don't agree that cinema is only for art. Cinema is a business. Within that, we do art,"

What does this honour mean to you?

With this honour, the future generation will get a lot of benefits. Something that was not possible before is possible now. It is not a community, it's a club and they are inviting you according to your work quality. The gate will open for the young generations in coming years and hopefully, there will be more members from India.

From Jalamaram to Indian 2, how has your journey been so far?