‘I don’t have time for Tollywood’

Unlike most of days, it was Allu Arjun’s turn recently to be star-struck when he got an opportunity to work with one of the best cinematographers in the country, Ravi K. Chandran. The actor recently posted on social media: “The best part of shooting an ad film is that you get to work with best cinematographers! Shot with Ravi K. Chandran, my all time favourite DOP (Director of Photography)!”

Ravi, on the other hand, is no stranger to being idolised. Having worked with leading filmmakers Sanjay Leela Bha-nsali, Mani Ratnam, Priyad-arshan and others, he has established his stronghold in Bollywood as well as South industries. The legendary cinematographer from Tamil Nadu, talks about his work, Tollywood and his hectic schedule.
 
Working with Allu Arjun

I  know Allu Aravind and knew his son, but it was only during this ad that I got to work with Allu Arjun for the first time. He is fun and very energetic,” says Ravi, adding, “I have seen his films, even the latest one, S/o Satyamurthy, and I like his work. He told me that he had always wanted to work with me. But then, I have never done a Telugu film; only ad films with Mahesh Babu and Nagarjuna in the past.”
 
No time for Tollywood

So far, Ravi has worked on 23 Hindi films and seven Tamil films. As his schedule is packed even for next year, Ravi explains why he has never been able to accept offers from Tollywood. “The planning for Hindi films take place a year in advance. Right now, I know what my schedule is for next year. I am unable to take a Telugu film because I can never allot dates for them,” he says.
 
Tollywood vs Bollywood  

Bollywood plans extensively for their movie shootings. Everything is very clear and organised, and you can absolutely make no changes during the middle of the shoot; you can’t even take your phone on the shoot... everything is very disciplined.” Tollywood is quite the opposite. “There are people shouting, screaming over the mike... it does throw you off and takes time getting used to. Having said that, there are no set rules on which style is better. It’s like North and South Indian food…” he says.
 
Flaws that haunt

Ravi is a believer of what Mani Ratnam once said, “Once a shot is made, it’s history. The flaws are there to haunt you for years to come”. He says, “I never see my films after they are done. I always see flaws in them. As they say, a filmmaker never finishes a film, he abandons them...” he concludes.