BEHINDWOODS COLUMN

Director Vijay's ambitious project Saivam whizzed past the 50 days mark recently. While the director has credited his entire team for the success of the film, this column will acknowledge the one person's work that stands out among others – DoP Nirav Shah. 

 

It's no secret that the director and the cinematographer share a great rapport, as almost all the director's movies had Nirav Shah behind the camera. And, the cinematographer too reserves his best for the director. And, no doubts that Nirav Shah would have given only his best for Vijay's dream project.

 

However, Saivam is a film constrained by resources. It's majorly set in a house, and at most extends to a couple more streets. To experiment and perform in such a movie isn't by any means easy. But Nirav Shah makes sure that he leaves a stamp.

 

One instance is when the rooster goes missing, Nirav Shah gives us the scene through the eyes of Kathiresan (Nasser) - he shows the family member's pathetic search, framed by their house's doorway. He captures the tension in the air via his visuals. In a later moment, when the family members know about the rooster's lot, they, in order to hide it from Kathiresan, begin a slacked up search. Nirav Shah gives the scene, again through Kathiresan's eyes, framed by the same doorway, but without the tensions of the earlier scene.

 

Also, Nirav Shah makes sure that the architectural flair of Karaikudi, the place where the movie is set in, is shown in all its glory. When the family goes in search of the missing rooster, he gives a glimpse of the Chettinadu houses with their very individualistic styled doors, windows, and roofs, and ensures a treat to watch.

 

Reportedly, Nirav Shah has taken no remuneration for this movie. Such dedication and the ingenious visual tales make Saivam as much Nirav Shah's as it is the director's. And, with the plans to make the movie in Telugu and Hindi, hope the forthcoming teams are as efficient as the present team.

 

Such brilliance from the entire team, consisting of Udhayanidhi Stalin, AL Alagappan, Nasser, GV Prakash, Antony along with the rest of the team, and Nirav Shah, is what has made the movie a success, in its own right.

Mithun
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