The Cinematic Journey of Ravi K Chandran: From a ‘Sridevi Room’ in College to Crafting Visual Magic for Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG
For legendary cinematographer-turned-director Ravi K Chandran, cinema has always been more than a profession—it’s been a lifelong love story, illuminated by admiration, experimentation, and artistic devotion. Long before he became one of India’s most celebrated cinematographers, Ravi was just another starry-eyed college student with a “Sridevi Room” — a shrine to the woman who defined Indian stardom for a generation.
The ‘Sridevi Room’ That Started It All
During his college days, Ravi K Chandran’s hostel room stood out from all others. Every inch of its walls was covered with pictures of Sridevi — newspaper clippings, magazine photos, and movie posters that he had carefully collected over the years. “When we were in college, I once stole a cut-out of Sridevi from a theatre,” he recalled with a laugh. “That’s when my room officially became the ‘Sridevi Room’. Friends would come to my room before exams and say, ‘Macha, come take ashirwad from Sridevi.’”
For Ravi, Sridevi wasn’t just a star — she was inspiration incarnate. Her expressions, her grace, and her effortless command over both humor and emotion made him fall in love with the art of visual storytelling. What began as fandom would eventually shape his passion for cinema.
Years later, fate rewarded his devotion with a surreal encounter. During a casual evening with director Rajkumar Santoshi and actor Anil Kapoor, Ravi found himself sharing a car and a theatre seat with his lifelong idol. “I couldn’t believe it,” he recalled. “I told her about my Sridevi Room, and she smiled and said she had seen all my films. I was speechless — it felt like a dream come true.” It would remain one of the most cherished moments of his life.
From Fan to Visionary
That college boy’s passion soon translated into mastery behind the camera. Ravi K Chandran’s body of work reads like a visual history of modern Indian cinema — Viraasat, Kandukondain Kandukondain, Dil Chahta Hai, Black, Ghajini, My Name Is Khan, Saawariya, and Kannathil Muthamittal, among many others. His distinctive style—rich textures, bold lighting, and emotional framing—has earned him a reputation as a true artist of light.
Ravi’s collaborations with cinematic giants like Mani Ratnam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali shaped his visual philosophy. With Bhansali’s Black, he abandoned the director’s trademark opulence to create a subdued, emotional world of muted tones and magic-hour lighting. “We filmed at dawn and dusk for days,” he said. “Bhansali joked that I drew him out of his indoor sets and made him embrace Mani Ratnam’s naturalistic aesthetic.”
Working with Mani Ratnam was equally transformative. Conscious of following in the footsteps of legendary cinematographers like PC Sreeram and Santosh Sivan, Ravi sought to redefine the visual grammar of Ratnam’s world, focusing on realism, emotion, and timeless beauty.
The Visual Power of They Call Him OG
Fast forward to 2025 — Ravi K Chandran is once again redefining visual storytelling with They Call Him OG, director Sujeeth’s Telugu action drama starring Pawan Kalyan. The film’s retro aesthetic, inspired by Bombay of the 1980s and ’90s, was brought to life through Ravi’s distinctive use of darker palettes, natural light, and experimental camera angles.
“Some people were skeptical about the darker tones,” Ravi admitted. “But Sujeeth and I were confident. We wanted to make something visually unique.” From the smoky entrance sequence of Pawan Kalyan to the upside-down shot near the Gateway of India, every frame of OG carried Chandran’s unmistakable signature.
The experience was equally enlightening for the cinematographer. “Pawan Kalyan arrived before 5 a.m. and stayed longer than planned because he loved the frame,” he said. “He’s an intuitive actor who understands the play of light. When his son Akira called to thank me after the release, I knew we’d done justice to the vision.”
Chandran’s ability to merge art-house sensibility with commercial cinema has made OG a visual standout. “When arthouse meets mainstream, magic happens,” he said, referencing Roger Deakins’ Oscar-nominated work in Skyfall as proof that bold experimentation can also resonate with mass audiences.
A Life Dedicated to Light and Learning
Even at 60, Ravi K Chandran remains a student of his craft. He stays ahead of the curve by embracing new technologies and studying the science behind digital cinematography. “In the film era, we couldn’t afford errors. Today, AI and digital tools give us flexibility, but discipline remains key,” he said.
He also shared technical wisdom gleaned from years behind the lens: “Never use white curtains for sunlight shots—use a light grey, it’ll appear white on digital cameras. And for actors with light eyes like Hrithik Roshan or Aishwarya Rai, use harsher light to capture their true eye color.”
From experimenting with tones and textures to balancing emotion and precision, Ravi’s work continues to evolve. Whether capturing Sridevi’s magic on his hostel wall or lighting Pawan Kalyan’s silhouette in OG, his journey remains one of unbroken passion.
A Tribute to Vision and Devotion
Looking back, Ravi K Chandran’s story feels cinematic in itself—a young fan who once worshipped Sridevi’s poster now stands among the masters who define Indian cinema’s visual legacy. His journey reminds us that great art is born from love: love for light, for life, and for the magic that happens when both meet through a camera lens.
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