Srivathsan Nadadhur
Sajeesh Rajendran, a cinematographer with oodles of experience in advertising, who has cranked the camera for several commercials, music videos over the previous decade, made a mark with Aha’s recent web film Run, directed by Lakshmikanth Chenna. He has previously worked for another digital series for Zee5 titled Chitra Vichitram featuring anchor Ravi in the lead role. His next is a feature film, Commitment, where he reunites with his Run director again. In a brief chat with Klapboardpost.com, he had interesting views to share about cinematography and the OTT space.
Films and cinematography
If the cinematography in a film stands out and the film is not working with the audience, it’s a failure on the part of everyone. You can’t say that the kheer is very bad, but the sugar was very nice. You cannot separate one craft from the other in a film. Unless people remember your film, nobody is going to remember your work as a cameraman. Michael Chapman had once said that “Cinematography doesn’t have to be beautiful. It has to be appropriate.” Vilmos Zsigmond also summed it up well when he shared, “An image cannot be more beautiful than its meaning.”
Growing up in Kerala and carving a niche in Telugu land
There were minor issues with the language, while the culture, the sensibilities were vastly different. Things are more loud and colourful here and it’s a little difficult adjusting to it. I firmly believe in staying true to the demands of the story and the tastes of the audience. I always felt good being in the Telugu industry and have always been respected for what I do. I never felt like an outsider here. People are warmer and welcoming out here.
If OTT undermines the value of cinematography
You have to change according to the world, you can’t be merely nostalgic about theatre experience and say it’s better than OTT. How many would have genuinely watched a film like Gulaabo Sitaabo in theatres (even if COVID-19 didn’t exist)? Whether you watch something in a mobile, laptop or the bigger screen, it’s all about how immersive the storytelling is. If the storytelling is good, I don’t think so the size of the screen matters.
