Anil Mehta Interview | Cinematographer - Lagaan, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer-Zaara | Through The Lens

Through The Lens, supported by ARRI, is a celebration of the art and craft of cinematography, featuring in-depth conversations with some of India's most talented and respected cinematographers. In our second episode, Cinematographer Anil Mehta talks about his experiences of shooting the most traditional yet stylised Hindi films. He shares stories of working on the Aamir Khan starrer Lagaan, The Salman-Aishwarya-Ajay starrer Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and many more. We then see him delving deep into his inspirations as a cinematographer, and the one life motto he lives by.
This video is in a collaboration with @ARRIChannel
ARRI is a leading designer and manufacturer of camera and lighting systems for the film, broadcast, media, and entertainment industries, with a worldwide distribution and service network.
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00:00 - Through The Lens of Cinematographer Anil Mehta
01:59 - Six Questions (30 Years of Anil Mehta)
02:35 - Hindi Cinema’s glamorous realism aesthetic
04:10 - Preferring Guru Dutt over Satyajit Ray
07:16 - Misconceptions about Cinematographers
08:43 - Finding the locations of Lagaan
14:46 - Anil Mehta’s introduction to cinematography
19:19 - “Economic, Frugal, and Truthful”
21:20 - Directing the Madhuri Dixit starrer “Aaja Nachle”
26:06 - Breaking down Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
32:54 - Breaking down the climax sequence of Lagaan
42:03 - Breaking down “Tumhi Dekho Na” from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
52:24 - Breaking down Darlings
1:05:13 - Three Inspirations
1:09:53 - Two Tips
1:13:11 - A Life Motto
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About The Channel:
The Film Companion is a web channel intended to promote Indian cinema through films review, interviews, discussions, video essays, and analytical compilations. It is intended primarily for the purpose of encouraging informed discussions, criticism, and review of cinema and towards such purpose, the programs use short extracts of cinematograph films, sound recording, and photographic works. These clips and extracts are of a minimal nature and the use is not intended to interfere in any manner with their commercial exploitation of the complete work by the owners of the copyright. The use of works is in compliance with the fair dealing exception provided under Sec. 52 of the Copyright Act, and we assert our use of the works under the exception provided for criticism and review.

[@malharbhambure6580]

His subtleness is what makes him unique. A true legend. I hope this is a series where we can see Binod Pradhan, Santhosh Sivan, Ravi K Chandra, PC Sreeram, Rajiv Menon and all from the Mani Ratman prime camp from the 90s and early 2000s

[@vedantbakshi6546]

I was waiting for this! One of the greatest cinematographers of our time. Roger Deakins of India 🙌

[@Jyots89]

My fav person in the business, Thank you filmcompanion for bringing Anil sir❤❤

[@khursheedrind3232]

Veer - Zaara and the reunion of Preiti and Srk just made our days and brighten it up with their joy that becomes our truly amazing to see both of them win today ❤

[@rohitsaha4611]

This is pure gold

[@lalithasubramanian4951]

Anil ji speaks as beautifully as he films.

[@vikramsharma5561]

One of the cinematographers of India along with Santosh Sivan, Binod Pradhan, P. C Sriram

[@Hunza_to_Houston]

@32:00 appreciating Salman Khan acting prowess - amazing insight.

[@babitathapa1982]

loved it

[@Rpp92898]

salman haters need to see this, even Rajkumar santoshi loves Salman Khan and feels he is not utilizing his acting talent to his potential

[@DarshanChokshii]

Thank you Film Companion for this series! Truly fascinating!

[@radhikapadmakumar9710]

Love listening to Anil sir. He is very articulate. Thank you Film companion for this session. It's high time the members of the crew get their due.

[@suvrangshusarkar]

What a beautiful interview.

[@RachitaGupta]

Lovely dress 👗 she's wearing😊😊

[@rishiraaj.580]

Interesting, Informative. 🎬📽️🎞️👍

[@ManishaKashyap29715]

Thank you for this interview. I know there are very few interviews that are done on Cinematography and the people who make the magic out of it. Being someone who sees Colors on a movie or any work before the actors who are in it. It was a delight to hear from the master himself

[@abhijin]

Such a wonderful conversation ❤ Can’t wait to see more!

[@Nzp6959]

Omg I can listen to Anil Sir for hours..this is a feast for an amateur hobbyist photographer 🤗

[@RoGamg]

Thank you for this awesome interview❤

[@mihiraproductions]

Bring them all! Santosh Shivan, PC sir, Rajiv Menon, Ravi Varman, Ravi K Chandran.... bring them all! At the same time bring the sound designers, editors and all other craftsmen!

[@FatimaKhan-vx4uf]

Great interview but Film companion should really start putting time stamps in the description. Basic stuff.

[@taseerali906]

so thoughtful

[@tagore4d]

Thanks so much for these videos. This is an awessom series. Great work Film Companion team, and a superb host Ms.Anupama.

[@mindgames2883]

Thanks Anupama for bringing such insightful conversations. As Sir said in the beginning, please bring more such conversations with mavericks and stalwarts from other technical departments too. Please 🙏

[@kirtis1672]

What a lovely episode ❤

[@shellysharma6191]

Would love to hear Mehta sahab being interviewed by another cinematographer 🙌🏿

[@hemantpatil1425]

Thank you so much film companion for this.

[@kunalsarma1075]

Need such interviews about the different tools and processes used by artists in filmmaking. It will be a gift to the upcoming filmmakers!!

[@abdulsamadshah4401]

So Insightful🎉

[@TheDebattam]

Please bring Binod Pradhan too and ask him about Mission Kashmir and Devdas.

[@babitathapa1982]

28:15 to 32: 52 is just where the episode peaked.. lovely story

[@geeky_explorer9105]

Longtime waited

[@inaya6675]

What a brilliant mind Anil Mehta is!! Immersed in art and his craft.

[@salmankhalid5060]

It's a humble request, please bring Preity Zinta on film companion, there's so much to talk about her career. She's the least interviewed Bollywood actress of her time.

[@jhanvigoyal524]

Biggest thanks to Film Companion for making this interview happen. So much to learn from ❤

[@prashantbhilare1870]

It is baffling as to why did Aaja Nachle flopped because it was a well made film with a good story and music and a very cozy narrative. I saw it in theatres when it came out and then multiple times on TV.

[@JourneyWithin_Tiwo]

Ditttooooooo❤❤

[@zak-dh2qw]

Great show

[@MS-mm1zk]

A legend and a mastermind ❤

[@PoojaBhayal24]

Brilliant interview 💯

[@rishiraaj.580]

Nice Episode. 👍

[@avinasharun24fps]

He is The Best ❤❤❤

[@PokhrajRoy.]

One of the best in the biz.

[@rushabhjain]

When I witness SRK working with him, the charm, the warmth, the divine aura which I felt similar I feel watching Anil Sir, I'm manifesting to work with him sooner 🧿❤

[@nehasangra3197]

Great interview ❤

[@akib77777]

THE LEGEND

[@purabsingh383]

Legendary cinematographer Essential pillar of Indian cinema

[@kanavpathak6803]

Insightful

[@rohitsarkar3234]

Want this kind of elaborate interviews of film editors too ...❤❤

[@pratikdhole4451]

Thank you

[@neoqe6lb]

FC should let these interviews be conducted by a cinematographer rather than AC. One cinematographer interviewing another - that would be something in terms of discussing filmmaking magic.

[@randimasenanayake1294]

❤

[@gokuturkey]

thank you!

[@shaggyfilm]

can someone please add the timestamp in the video where they talk about Veer-Zaara please?

[@ujwalrangole24]

❤❤❤

[@suraj1912]

THIS. IS. FILM. COMPANION!

[@anujgera9477]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@CLIMAXA.MAATHTHU.NAATTAAMA]

Pls.ask cinematographers about their feelings about Camera Poet Marcus Bartley (Ram Aur Shyam)

[@jitendrabhoi3596]

Great series …..waiting for Ravi verman

[@JourneyWithin_Tiwo]

Aaja Nachle is textbook in making a well created fantasy world within the limits of reality 🌸🌸 I hope @Filmcompanion brings back a postmortem on this film.

[@rishiraaj.580]

Pls Do Episode With 👉 Editor's. 👍

[@shaggyfilm]

Where’s the breakdown for Veer-Zaara???

[@bobbyansary]

Veer-Zaara.. where is that bit ?

[@avikmitra7979]

i would like to se Avik mukhopadhyay in this series

[@ExplorewithElora]

Please do these interviews lot more than repeating stars all the time. Technicians have much more insight than film stars who keep flexing money, status

[@Amit-oj4ho]

Film companion is Anti Deepika Padukone. Cocktail was such a visually beautiful film

[@princeshah6526]

ASLI

[@suhasini277]

33:37 The ad placement in this video is appalling.

[@swati028]

a

[@dimputhunm_entertainment2825]

Why not music, editor, production Design and more

[@amusingwordplay7298]

This question was answered in the first 90 seconds of the video.

[@dimputhunm_entertainment2825]

@@amusingwordplay7298 before that am commented .

[@pallavisatpute4558]

What an insightful conversation! I was today years old when I learnt that being an empath is vital to being a good cinematographer, thanks FC! P.S. When is Anilji's birthday? 👀

[@miteshvaghela1159]

Thanks fc 🫶🏻

[@avikmitra7979]

i would like to se Avik mukhopadhyay in this series