The love for cinema keeps me going: PC Sreeram

Ace lensman-turned filmmaker PC Sreeram���s office at MRC Nagar has a touch of the varied aesthetically designed frames from his movies. As we climb the stairs to the veteran technician���s room on the first floor, the song Aananda Yazhai from his phone welcomes us. The reclusive, yet opinionated filmmaker gets chatty in a t��te-��-t��te with us. He opens up about taking up, comparatively, more projects of late, his plan to wield the megaphone for, perhaps, one last time, his driving force, and why he regrets not reading much these days and more.
Three releases last year, one earlier this year, and another one two weeks ago.You are signing back-to-back films...
It���s a part of my decision to take up films continuously. The love for cinema and personal reasons made me stick to this decision. I felt I should be occupied with work often. Moreover, this is the only medium through which I can express myself. So, I accept whichever films come on my platter, provided I should feel that those who approach me should have a professional working style. Also, I feel the world keeps changing at a tremendous speed. I don���t want to be a mere spectator ��� I want to be a part of the changes happening. Even in the case of my latest film, Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Remo, it had professionals working in it. They wanted my expertise to take the project forward. I was happy to associate with them. I could sense an energy in them, without which, I believe nothing can happen in a positive way.
You are working with established directors, as well as relatively new ones...
Technology has made it easier for people to learn craft in a short span of time. Hence, these days there are many self-taught filmmakers. Till some time ago, one had to learn the language of films by assisting experienced directors. For example, when director Bakkiyaraj Kannan, who is comparatively new to the industry, approached me, he had a full screenplay, and his clarity was evident, which impressed me. At the end of the day, everybody can���t have experience. He might not have been a veteran, but I decided to work with him because I could find the required passion and knowledge in him.
Looking back, what are the positive changes you have observed in the film industry, over the years?
The thing is, I don���t want to look back. I think the concept of looking back is losing its relevance. If at all I have to, I feel that, these days, you should look back at things which happened a few hours ago rather than years ago. The world is changing every minute, and hence, the topics which are in the limelight keep changing very often. It is very beautiful to think about it, though sometimes, it is tiresome.
Have you ever felt that you need to sign up more films?
I look at my life as two phases ��� life with my daughter and without her. I don���t want to go into detail about it as I believe I won���t be able to explain it properly ��� but there���s definitely a vacuum, which I feel can be overcome only through keeping myself occupied with films.
Apart from this, has the urge to learn more, too, played a driving force in signing back-to-back projects?
The learning process has always been there. Today, there is so much to learn and there are many ways to do it, thanks to technology. You can update every moment if you want; such is the vast volume of options technology offers. At the same time, there is an overexposure of knowledge now, which leads to confusion in taking decisions. You have to filter what you want.
How do you update yourself? Do you watch films often?
Earlier, I used to watch films regularly. But, of late, I have reduced it. I used to go in search of movies before. Today, with so much of films hitting the screens, it has become difficult to catch all of them. We read through our eyes while watching a film ��� there is no scope for imagination in it, which is possible through reading a book. We create a different world while engaged with books; it is a beautiful thing. Books always took me to another world; it was instrumental in nurturing visuals. I have not been able to read any book in recent times owing to my busy schedule. I believe reading is necessary to go to next level. I fear the lack of reading might reflect in my work.
Do you have a favourite author?
Actually, I read only Tamil books ��� English is not my thing. But, I like G Krishnamurthy���s philosophy. I read technical books, too, in English. Mother tongue, I guess, plays an important factor in reading. Speaking in mother tongue is an exercise which results in positivity. I miss it when I'm off to other places, like��� say Mumbai. Like reading, communication among people also has been reduced. There is no more thinnai pechu now.
You are active on social media, posting tweets often on cinema, your works, retweeting those topics which interest you, which includes social concerns, too���
It���s good that we now have a medium to react on varied topics or issues. There are several perspectives and reactions to everything on social media and that is the beauty of it. In fact, sometimes, there are reactions before the action itself starts (laughs). Having said that, I think I shouldn���t talk much about social issues, because cinematography and cinema form my world. Those are the areas which interest me more than anything. It isn���t that I���m afraid to talk about topics like politics; it���s just that my world revolves around films.
Now that you have decided to be very active in films, can we expect a project under your direction? Till recently, you had said the chances were bleak���
Yes. It was true that I had decided not to be at the helm of any film. However, I���m reconsidering my decision now. A recent incident which happened to me has kindled my interest in direction. So, I might wield the megaphone for one more film, if everything goes well, next year. But, for now, it���s too early to say anything about it. Who knows, I might not take it up also. I can���t force myself for it to happen. The matter has to grow in me and reach a logical conclusion, without which there���s no use in making it. I���m not in a hurry.
Name a few actors who impressed you recently while working?
Sivakarthikeyan is damn good; I���m not saying this because both of us worked together for the same film. I���m also a viewer while working. I feel that he has got that in-built talent to entertain, not everyone is blessed with it. Some artistes, the moment they appear on screen, entertainment happens ��� it boosts up everyone���s energy, irrespective of their age ��� I think he belongs to that category. Similarly, I consider Kareena to be one hell of a performer. While working with her, I understood why she has had such a long, successful stint in the industry, Vikram has an admirable determination. Not everyone has such perseverance and passion. Dhanush is a bundle of energy. The enthusiasm emerges out of him every minute, which keeps him going.
Tell us about your well-known bond with Mani Ratnam
We knew each other from the day we wanted to make it big in films. I think that is why we share a great chemistry. Mani has always proved that he has been in love with love stories. While working for O Kadhal Kanmani, I could see that his love for love stories had become even more intense since the time of Alaipayuthey. I even told him, ���Many more yet to come from you, Mani���. Love stories have always been his forte. I had a wonderful journey with all the directors whom I have worked with. It���s not possible to list the names of filmmakers with whom I share a rapport. But, I must say, I enjoyed working with Bharathan, though it was for a short period ��� it was a memorable period.
What do you think are the challenges cinematographers face today?
The responsibility of a cinematographer, from my point of view, has always been the same, and the challenges differ depending on the time we live in. The challenge to show Amitabh Bachchan as Abhishek Bachchan���s son in Paa was the same as showing Kamal as a cop in Kuruthipunal or bringing the ambience of a village in Thevar Magan. Now I���m able to cherish all these, because these are lifelong memories. So, the challenge is to create an impression which lasts forever.
What are your upcoming projects?
I have a film each in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. I will finalise and announce the details very soon. The projects will happen one after the other without much break in between.
Though your journey traversed several languages and genres, do you have a dream genre or film you want to associate with?
As a cinematographer, I dream a lot. However, in India we have very limited genres. Even a layman can list all the genres in movies. I like all the genres ��� I love watching an intense film like Visaaranai, and at the same time, I enjoy simple, beautiful films like Premam, or Baahubali, for its large-scale nature. Joker was another film which I liked immensely in the recent times.
You include the iconic expression from Star Wars, ���May the force be with you���, in many of your tweets. Are you a fan of the franchise?
I was fascinated by Vethathiri Maharishi���s scientific thinking. I got introduced to him during the shooting of Thevar Magan. In fact, the expression ���May the force be with you��� is the translation of Vazhga Valamudan which he propagated. I realised that the two words created a positive vibration in the air. Sometimes, I greet people by saying, Vazhga Valamudan. That���s the way lot of people in Coimbatore, even today, greet others. So, this has nothing to do with Star Wars, though I���m a huge fan of the franchise.
Your life philosophy?
Keep working, everything will be alright.