Filmmakers Soar to New Heights: Capturing the Perfect Shot from the Sky

In the world of Indian cinema, filmmakers are willing to go to great heights, quite literally, to capture the perfect shot. Cinematographer Ravi K Chandran recalls a scene from the 2001 film Dil Chahta Hai, where he sat inside a flying helicopter, removing the windows to film actors Aamir Khan and Preity Zinta in another helicopter above the clouds.

This blend of travel and filmmaking is a lifelong calling for Natarajan Ramji, known as the "location guru" in Indian cinema. Over the past 35 years, Ramji has traveled to over 140 countries, scouting locations and finding iconic backdrops for more than 1,000 films. From searching for a Victorian-style palatial building in Ukraine for the Naatu Naatu song in RRR to traversing Paris, Switzerland, and Venice for the song Vazhithunayae in Dragon, Ramji's job is to balance the director's vision with the film's budget.

Chandran, the cinematographer, also has a deep appreciation for travel, recalling a one-year backpacking trip to the US after college that opened his eyes to the world. He believes that every structure and culture has a story to tell, and travel has broadened his mindset. International projects have also exposed him to new technologies and evolving practices, which he plans to explore further during an upcoming location recce in London.