Every cameraman has a director in him - Rathnavelu
After graduating (DFT) from the film institute he started his career as an apprentice to ace cameraman Rajeev Menon. He got his first break in films when Sarath Kumar gave him the chance to do his film Aravindhan. It was Bala’s Sethu, which brought him to limelight. Nandha, Bhagawathy and Jeyam followed this. Recently his camera work in Thirumalai was well appreciated by the media. Meet Rathnavelu , the popular cinematographer in an exclusive interview.

How does your working with commercials help you in films?

I had done many commercials while I was an assistant to Rajeev Menon. In an advertisement one has to deliver the message in 30 seconds. It is a highly creative and demanding. I could put all these experiences when I started working on a larger canvass. It helped to plan my shots, takings and lighting well in advance.

How do you select your films?

I insist on discussing the entire project before going for the shoot. I select scripts very carefully. I accept a project if I am convinced that there are enough scope for me to enrich the film

Experiences working in Jeyam and Thirumalai.

Although Jeyam was a Telugu remake, the script was good. I go through the script three to four times before I start off my project. I felt I had a major scope in the movie. Especially, the climax train sequence, which was very challenging. We took lot of risk while doing the shoot. Similarly, for Thirumalai ‘s script interested me a lot. We erected a huge set resembling the Pudupet area near Saligramam in Chennai and took the scenes.

It’s all in the lighting. I had given a soft light whenever she appears. That’s why she looks good. Even when I was doing Sethu the heroine Abhitha had lots offlaws on her face. But I focused only on her plus points and that’s precisely a cmeraman’s work.

Experiences with Vijay.

I had earlier worked with Vijay in Bhagavathy. He is a fine person who respects the technicians a lot. We became close friends when Thirumalai was coming to an end.

What are your forthcoming films?

I have accepted to work for a Telugu movie, which would be directed by a debutant Sukumar. Lead producer Raju produces this film. Telugu super star Chiranjeevi's cousin Allu Arjun plays the lead role. Right now I am doing one film at a time.

Cameramen turning to directors. Comment

There is a director in every cameraman. I also aspire to become a director one day.