Shooting his way to fame

Cinematography is a craft that has given the audience some arresting scenes and stunning visuals. Today, the man wielding the camera is finally getting the importance and recognition he deserves in both Mollywood across the Indian panorama. One cinematographer who is shining bright is Gautham Sanker, the DOP of the recent hit Theevandi, directed by Fellini T.P.

Gautham’s work can be termed as neat and apt, with deft use of colour grading. “I think my duty is to visualise what the situation demands rather than overdoing or showing what I can do with the camera. Great shots are born because the situation demands it. The director helps you with it,” says Gautham.  There are many moments that are worth praising in Theevandi, which tells the story of a smoke addict.

The film is set in the early 90s in a typical remote village, so the biggest challenge of a cinematographer would be to visualise the place and make the viewer feel like he/she is travelling through that time frame. Gautham has delivered that with near perfection. “The art team didn’t use any material like old movie posters in coffee shops nor were there old Malayalam songs playing to take you back in time. It was intentional and my challenge was to use the right mix of colour and make it look like it was taking place in the 90s. The art direction team really helped me throughout the film and Appu Battathiri’s editing was exceptional as always,” he says.

Gautham’s first independent work was for Theeram, directed by Saheed Arafath. But he started his journey in tinsel town by assisting his uncle and renowned filmmaker Shyamprasad in Electra. “This was after completing my studies at Chetana Institute in Thrissur. Fellini and I were the two associates in Electra. The opportunity came out of the blue and we were very excited.  We are very close friends and it really helped us in working well together,” says Gautham.

His inspiration is Sanu John Varghese. “After Electra, I moved to Mumbai to assist Sanu, who was the cinematographer of Electra, and worked in his ad films. He really helped me. I still follow what he taught me and sometimes, I try to do the things he did with the camera,” he says with a smile. Gautham believes the standard of cinematography is improving in our part of the world and he thinks the relationship between crew members has changed a lot from the past and can be seen in the end result.His latest is an upcoming movie titled Laddu, a fun film nearing its final stage.