CINEMATOGRAPHER M SUKUMAR INTERVIEW

"SHAMILI WAS INITIALLY FANCIED AS AJITH'S MACHINICHI"

Interview Team : Tamil Dharani; Kavya sathyamoorthy; Arjun; Jyothsna; Venkat

Kollywood has been astonished by the mind blowing visuals of the Pongal release 'Gethu'. The man behind the artwork of not only Gethu, but also many motion pictures like Mynaa, Kaaki Sattai and Maan Karate, cinematographer M Sukumar joins us in an interview to share his experiences.

PHOTOS & STILLS - GALLERY

Gethu has Udhayanidhi Stalin fresher than ever before. How much has the team toiled to uphold his looks?

Udhayanidhi was our first choice after we completed the script. Since his first three films were analogous in character and appearance, director Thirukumaran wanted to render him distinctively in this film, prioritizing the conformance of locations, cinematography and costumes to our colour chart.

What made you want to work with Thirukumaran for the second time?

Though we had mutual friends formerly, it was Maan Karate that brought us together. Our high compatibility and cooperation brought the best out from both of us in the film and made us do another one together.

Working with Sathyaraj sir

He was the most senior and respected person on our sets. After dubbing for the movie, he was actually amazed by the hard earned output of a budding new team, which made us proud.

he was actually amazed by the hard earned output

How was your experience shooting in exotic localities?

The art director, more like a production manager, had chosen locations all over the country and also the time to shoot in each, so that the shot could make it to the trailer. We even wanted Udhay to show up hours before the director wanted him to. They all cooperated to bring to light the finest.

We even wanted Udhay to show up hours before the director wanted him to

How was working with Shamili, who has returned after years, in Veera Sivaji?

She was initially fancied as Ajith's ‘Machinichi’ in our sets, but later labeled as ‘Anjali papa'. She has been in the industry for longer than we have. She is too cute and fun to be with. Whenever she has to stand up for a shot, we call out 'Yezhundhri Anjali, Yezhundhri’. Vicky (Vikram Prabhu) has also been close to me since Kumki.

We call out 'Yezhundhri Anjali, Yezhundhri’

When can we anticipate a raw film like Mynaa from you again?

Dharma Durai, being shot in Theni has such rawness along with some nativity, fantasy, neutrality and drought in it. Ultimately, it's a film's script that demands a vibrant cinematography.

How would you define the term 'cinematography' to a layman?

More than explaining, cinematography is perfectly defined when a cinematographer conveys the director's visualizations vividly to the audience through the lens. For example, when an audience appreciates a waterfall shot, that's when he understands cinematography.

Who is your comfort-zone director and who are the people you are longing to work with?

If at all a director is uncomfortable with me or vice versa, I adjust to their comfort-zone as it is a cinematographer's job to understand his director and bend both technically and personally. I adore directors Mani Ratnam and Shankar for their taste and sense of color, framing and lighting. I aspire to learn from them by working with them someday. Heroes- Rajini, Kamal, Ajith, Vijay, Suriya, Vikram, Dhanush, Karthi, Jayam Ravi and everybody. Heroines- I've worked with most of the upcoming ones like Amala Paul, Amy Jackson, Sri Divya and Hansika. So I'm looking forward to work with new faces.

I adjust to their comfort-zone

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This page hosts exclusive interviews with actors, actresses, film technicians and related celebrities. The interviews are generally personal views of the guest about their projects and film related matters. People looking for information about actors, actresses, directors, music directors, cameramen and other technicians will find this page useful.