Cinematographer Jagadish Cheekati has been making waves with his work on the film Arjun Chakravarthi. The movie, celebrated as a visual treat, has brought Jagadish widespread acclaim for his exceptional craftsmanship. For his work on Arjun Chakravarthi, he has been honored with several Best Cinematographer awards at international film festivals. As the film continues its successful run, Jagadish Cheekati shares insights about his journey and contributions.
What is your background, and how did your cinematic journey begin?
During my days at JNTU Fine Arts College, I won numerous awards in photography. I’ve always loved drawing and photography. I pursued a master’s degree in photography and worked with Doordarshan. I also earned awards in still photography. I’ve worked on over 100 short films, documentaries, commercials, and various projects. During that time, I got the opportunity to work on the movie Jatha Kalise. It was a collaborative effort with a fresh team. Around the same time, I worked on projects like Nayaki and RGV Productions’ Bhairava Geetha, among others.
How supportive was your family when you decided to enter the film industry?
My father works in the Irrigation Department, and he has always been fully supportive. He encouraged me to pursue what I love and give my 100% effort. That’s why I left my government job at Doordarshan, and even then, my family gave me their complete support.
Tell us about your work experience on Arjun Chakravarthi.
India has incredibly talented technicians, and we’re creating films that rival Hollywood standards. Arjun Chakravarthi is on that level. To achieve that look, we shot the film entirely in natural lighting. Whether it’s sound or cinematography, everything aligns with the director’s vision. These departments play a crucial role in a film’s success. Syncing with the director and having production support is essential for great results.
Have you ever faced creative differences with directors?
A Director of Photography (DOP) is essentially a director in their own right. It’s critical to sync well with the director and understand their vision to avoid creative differences. There was one instance where I stepped away from a project because I couldn’t align with the director’s vision.
What challenges did you face during the shooting of Arjun Chakravarthi?
We went to Kashmir expecting snowfall, but when we arrived, it wasn’t snowing. We waited until it did, and eventually, temperatures dropped to minus 8 degrees. Shooting in that snowy landscape felt like paradise, and we captured visuals far better than we had planned. However, shooting in such conditions was incredibly challenging. The climax episode was particularly tough, with technical difficulties. We planned to shoot 800 players using a time-slice device, but since it wasn’t available, we froze everyone in place for the shot. This created a remarkable effect and experience.
How did director Vikrant Rudra approach you, and what was it like working with him?
After watching Bhairava Geetha, director Vikrant Rudra approached me for this film. We aimed to create a movie with world-class standards. We incorporated various visual variations, using three different cameras and anamorphic and spherical lenses to differentiate the vision. We paid meticulous attention to costumes, the art department, and every detail. Vikrant Rudra is highly talented and a great storyteller. He never compromises and is straightforward in his approach.
The film Arjun Chakravarthi has received significant international recognition, hasn’t it?
Yes, I received four international awards for Arjun Chakravarthi at the Kollywood International Film Festival India, Kervayan International Film Festival, MOKO International Film Festival, and The Buddha International Film Festival.
How was your experience working with Vijay Ramaraju?
Vijay Ramaraju has immense passion and dedication for cinema. He showcased a wide range of variations in this film, transforming his physique and learning kabaddi for the role. He gave his all to the project. We experimented a lot with him, and he endured tough conditions, like shooting in snow. Heroine Sija Rose acted beautifully with her eyes, and Dayanand garu delivered a stellar performance.
How was the support from producer Srini Gubbala during your journey?
Producer Srini Gubbala, an NRI, has a strong interest in films. He believed in this project wholeheartedly and gave us years to complete it. He told us to do whatever was needed but to avoid wasting money. Even when financial issues arose, he stood by us.
Did anyone from the industry call to talk about Arjun Chakravarthi?
Many people from the industry called to praise Arjun Chakravarthi and my work in it. It feels surreal, like, “Did we really create this?” We trained to make the cameras feel like part of the kabaddi game, immersing the audience in the action. The story connects with everyone and is highly motivational.
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