With Detective Ujjwalan, which featured Dhyan Sreenivasan, well-known documentary filmmakers and cinematographers Sraiyanti and Prem Akkattu made their Malayalam debut. The pair's camera work most effectively captures the natural splendor and people of Plaachikkaavu. In an interview with OTTplay, they discussed their time working on Detective Ujjwalan, emphasizing how the Varshangalkku Shesham performer especially caught their eye on film.

The majority of the frames in Detective Ujjwalan resembled pages from a comic book. Before the shooting, what information was given to you?

We kept the fictional location of Plaachikkaavu in mind when we first read the screenplay. We recognized that it required a distinct characteristic to stand out in its own universe. Initially, we assigned individuals traits like different colors. For instance, because Ujjwalan was scared of the dark, the scenarios involving Dhyan had a cozy atmosphere. We consequently added more day scenes that are full of light. The boogeyman, however, is far more sinister. We were able to provide the film any weather, color contrast, and tone because of the breadth of the made-up environment. The imaginative storytelling approach used by Detective Ujjwalan was ultimately driven by the performances.

While filming Detective Ujjwalan, did the two of you suggest any particular method?

We didn't want our actors to be overshadowed by the camera work. All we needed to do was include a couple of cinematic elements to the story. The narrative occurs during the 1990s, so you'll see that movies from that period have brighter colors. We thought Detective Ujjwalan needed something new, even though modern movies often have less visual contrast and saturation. We made a few spontaneous decisions regarding which scenes to record, depending on the weather.

Were you shocked by any of the performances in Detective Ujjwalan throughout the shooting?

Every performer understood their role in contributing to the fictional universe. In a sense, many of Dhyan's actions are animated. The Malayalee From India celebrity's understated body language and facial expressions made it fun to see him perform in his most genuine manner. Other cast members, including Kottayam Nazeer, Rony, and Siju, gave outstanding performances as well.

What impact did Gargi have on your perspective on filmmaking?

Every movie is an experience, regardless of whether it's a documentary, advertisement, or other genre. Our documentary history has had a significant impact on how we produce our images. Our experience working on nonfiction assignments helped us learn how to be less intrusive, get honest feedback, and give more space for performances while dealing with Gargi. In Gargi, we could give performers more room to express themselves. Detective Ujjwalan taught us to welcome darkness and not be afraid of it. The majority of filmmakers become tired of it, especially when shooting digitally. It is easy to worry about how shadows might appear on different displays.

Women are still hesitant to pursue a career in cinematography. How do you think this idea has evolved?

After all, being around a lot of male energy takes some getting used to, so it's a valid concern. It's only natural that women are hesitant because not everyone wants to do it. However, there are more women entering this industry in recent years, and several organizations, including the IWCC, are behind them. In our opinion, sets should include more women sharing their creative impact and telling stories.

What are your plans for the future?

The filming for two Tamil films will begin at the end of this year, and we are currently in discussions for both. Making movies, whether they are commercial or independent releases, is our primary goal. Prem is also in charge of the camera for the short documentary "Auto Queen," which I am directing. It will be planned for a film festival run.

Read Also: Pankaj Tripathi’s 8-Hour Workday Request Makes Waves After Deepika Padukone: ‘Learning to Say No’

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!