Cinematographer Ravi Chandran: “Each hero in youth was given a different color palette in terms of dress or environment”.

In a panoramic conversation, iconic cinematographer Ravi Chandran reflected his experiences working with famous director Mani Ratnam, especially on the film ‘Yuva’ and its Tamil equivalent ‘Ayya Azuthu.‘With a career for decades, Chandran share insights into creative decisions behind the cinematography of both films, emphasizing the importance of subtle nuances in different looks and storytelling prepared for each character.Here are part of the conversation:Did you have a unique privilege to shoot both versions of Mani Ratnam’s youth?“Yes, ‘Yuva’ and its Tamil version was called ‘Ayya Isuthu’, was actually shot in the same year, but we never shot films together. We shot the Tamil version separately and the Hindi version separately. So, each one had its own set of different places, takes separately. ,“Originally, in that film, we desired three different looks for three different characters. And each character has its own behavior. For example, Lallan’s character, which was played by Abhishek Bachchan, is a very pointed, violent man. And, you know, Ajay Devgan’s character is a very quiet, composed character, a very totative person.” “And Vivek Oberoi’s character is a young dreamer who wants to leave India and wants to go to America, so he is his dream. He does not see the world around him. So, we have only shot him with telephoto lens; background does not go out of the focus, and you shoot very well around it. A wider angle, in one hand we used to use, in one hand, we used a little and unstable.,Even color straps were different for three characters?“Yes, every hero in the youth was given a different color palette in terms of dress or environment, whether it is a car or one place. We did not choose things like an advertisement film, but very subtle. But people remember it now. We used blue for Viveks’ character in the Vivek-kerena track, and used Rana and Abishek track. Green is for the character of Ajay Devgan. ,Which version did you like to do better?“I really like the Hindi version because it had a unique background, which was very, very different to shoot and very beautiful. Also, all the actors were really good in Hindi. Therefore, he gave different, interesting performances. Abhishek, I think, won many awards for this performance.”You have just completed a thug life with Mani Ratnam …“This is the same Mani Ratnam. The same speed, the same energy, in the same vision-a very concentrated film production. I am shooting with him after 21 years. So, now, when the film was announced, I jumped on the proposal. It is a great experience working with two legends Mani Ratnam and Kamal Hashan.And, as an audience member, I am expecting to see the film with a completely luxurious sound and scenes. ,