The film is a revelation and delight, peppered with anecdotes as cinematographers reflect on their work ethics, how they got their way with the directors and stars, the jugaad they’d invent—and also the use-and-throw culture of the film industry, that has left many stalwarts lonely and frustrated. Nadeem Khan, who shot Muzaffar Ali’s Gaman, reveals that originally Jean Renoir was supposed to shoot the film, but when he dropped out, Khan stepped in. “It changed my life,” he says. Yet, soon after, Khan found himself shooting Disco Dancer with Mithun Chakraborty. 

SM Anwar, who worked on Sholay, describes using moringa trees, with lighter wood, for a shot where a running train knocks a bunch of wooden logs. And doing “30 retakes” with Dharmendra and Hema Malini, “kyunki Dharamji ko pyar ho gaya, na?” Govind Nihalani speaks of his guru VK Murthy teaching him that “your image can create an emotional response”. Jehangir Chowdhury describes how Hungarian-American cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond created magic with just a white bedsheet, underlining that in cinematography, the thought process is more important than the equipment. Waheeda Rahman recalls how once, while shooting Pyaasa, Guru Dutt asked her why she was so stiff, and she replied, “Because (VK) Murthy Saab is using a 75mm lens.” And he said, “Oho, you’re learning so fast. CID khatam nahin hui and you’ve understood 75mm lenses?”

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

The irony is that, despite Chaturvedi’s cinematographic talents, the documentary is primarily a talking heads film; presumably made with urgency as the cinematographers were ageing and dying. Editor Suchitra Sathe does a decent job. There are no women cinematographers in the film; not even, sadly, film clips to illustrate points. Nonetheless, it is a precious document on the artists who shape the films we love, with an insightful commentary into what makes Bollywood tick—its stars, generosity, rage, and its disposable culture. Not to be missed.

Meenakshi Shedde is India and South Asia Delegate to the Berlin International Film Festival, National Award-winning critic, curator to festivals worldwide and journalist. 
Reach her at meenakshi.shedde@mid-day.com