Cinematographer
Priyan is currently busy with Vijay’s Velayudham.
Amidst his busy schedule, he talked to Senior Editor
Jyothsna Bhavanishankar on his cinematic journey,
Vijay, Velayudham and allied subjects. Over to Priyan.
How did you come
into films?
I am in the industry for more than 20 years. I am from
a middle class family and it is not that I was a very
ambitious to enter the industry. When I was doing my
second year Polytechnic, I came to Chennai during my
summer vacation and visited a shooting spot on a very
casual manner and the industry fascinated me.
I started my career as a camera apprentice and worked
in that capacity for four months. The period that I
came in can be called the ‘golden period’
in cinema. I had an opportunity to work with different
types of cameramen and talented technicians during that
period.
I got a chance to work for 6-7 films as an assistant
in Balu Mahendra sir’s films. The best films were
Moondram Pirai, Sadma, Yaathra, Olangal and two of his
films had got national awards. Later I worked with Suresh
Menon and Rajeev Menon. I have worked more with Suresh
Menon. Thottachinungi was my first film as an independent
cameraman. I got to know director Adhiyaman through
K Vijayan and that’s how I got the offer.
Cheran is a fast writer
Working
with Cheran
I
have worked with Cheran sir in three films.
I have done some key portions in Bharathi
Kannamma. I don’t have to say about
Cheran sir. He is the best player in terms
of emotions and brings out the fine nuances
of relationships between family members. I
can sense the emotional power play while handling
the camera. I also like his writing and Cheran
is a fast writer. He is capable of writing
the entire film’s dialogues in two and
a half days. I want to work with him in more
films.
Association with Hari
From
Hari sir’s first film Thamizh to the
latest Singam, they are all fast paced and
you would not realize when the film started
and when it ended. Hari’s planning is
impeccable. He keeps track of the needs of
all the unit members. His films will have
all the features that are seen in families
in south Tamil Nadu. Hari is a magnificent
person. I have done ten films with him and
all the films have fared well. I have travelled
with him in most part of my cinematic journey
and will be working in his next film with
Suriya.
Hari’s planning is impeccable
Velayudham is the right kind of
film for Vijay
Velayudham
and working with Jayam Raja
I have seen around 4-5 films of Jayam Raja.
He has a good visual taste and is known for
stylized visuals. Velayudham is the right
kind of film for Vijay. There is comedy, style,
story, sister sentiment and everything in
its favor. The film will be released soon.
Vijay in Velayudham
Velayudham
is the second film for me with Vijay, first
being Udhaya. There is a general feel that
Vijay is reserved and does not talk much.
But when you work with him, you realize that
Vijay is a wonderful friend. We can talk on
any subject with him.
Vijay is a wonderful friend
Vijay is like Sivaji Ganesan
I have worked with Sivaji Ganesan sir in Bandham
and I know about the punctuality of the legend.
I see the same trait in Vijay and he walks
into the set at least 15 minutes before the
scheduled time. And Vijay is also a perfectionist.
Be it comedy or action, they come naturally
to Vijay. All in all, it was easy working
in Velayudham.
Sharing of technical information in the industry
I
have started my career as a camera assistant
and have come this far in the industry and
have seen the various ranges of camera from
the traditional one to high speed to current
digital cameras. Earlier it was difficult
to get to know about any new product and its
usage. But now the scenario has changed. Everybody
helps everybody. As the information access
has become easy now, if my director gets to
know about a latest product, he tells me and
vice versa. There is friendly sharing of information
in the industry. There is no ego and industry
is very good now.
