Having showcased his expertise in cinematography with Ugramm, which he took up halfway, Bhuvan Gowda is on the verge of completing the prestigious and challenging job of the director of photography for Rathavara. The film directed by Chandrashekhar Bandiappa stars Srimurali and Rachita Ram.
But it was not an easy journey, for Bhuvan had always created magic with still photography.
Taming light was a passion for him. Right from the time he held his first camera, he knew the magic that a picture can possess if every ounce or every micron of light was in the right proportion. And he did succeed as a still photographer for six years in Sandalwood. With around 600 portfolios and 150 publicity print ads for movies -- his body of work includes Krishnan Love Story, Dandupalya, Gajakesari, Mr and Mrs Ramachari, Ranna, Airavatha, Masterpiece, Jigarthanda and more -- he had sealed his place.
But as it often happens, destiny invokes a certain desire to know more in man. Bhuvan’s destiny poked and aided him with an accidental chance to capture a motion picture. That was during the making of Ugramm, when the appointed cinematographer quit midway.
Encouraged by director Prashanth Neel, Bhuvan scooped the opportunity and the result was that Ugramm became a landmark film in Southern cinema. “My efforts in Ugramm were fruitful because of Prashanth and Srimurali and now they themselves have given me an opportunity to work on Rathavara, which will be my first independent project,” says Bhuvan.
According to him, his first rendezvous with cinematography and his current project are poles apart. He explains, “Ugramm was a completely commercial and raw subject. Ratharava has an artistic tone to it when it comes to lighting, framing and location. In Rathavara, I am trying to create the mystery through contrast lighting, which is my strength. It is more challenging as there is no scope for exaggeration.”
Having completed the talky portions and left with shoot for two songs, Bhuvan has already been signed up for Prashanth’s next, KGF. “It is Prashanth Neel’s dream project, which is being made with a Rs 40 crore budget. I am not accepting anything else in between,” he says.
For somebody who looks up to South Indian cinematographer Ravi Varman and Ravi Kumar Sana in Kannada, Bhuvan says that he understands the importance of his new role. “The director and the director of photography have vital roles to play. It becomes even more crucial because in Sandalwood, we have to work with a limited budget and resources. I try to connect with the audience by just being natural,” he says.Bhuvan is however not willing to give up his old passion - photography. “The basic lesson in how to be a DOP comes from photography. Today whatever lighting and framing I use, comes from my photography experience,” he says.
