The command“ lights, camera, action, rule his world. Not surprising, considering he is thedirector of photography. Atish Vaikunth, noted cinematographer is after allfollowing the road paved by his father, late K Vaikunth, a notedcinematographer of Bollywood. Atish today mirrors his father’s temperament,artistic approach and devotion to his craft.
“Those werethe days,” says Atish comparing them with the shallow glamour and the listlessattitude of today’s generation. “I amfrustrated with the absence of professionalism in the youth. Nobody cares ordoes their homework. And nobody insists on quality.”
All this isa far cry from the days when stars like Rajesh Khanna, Vinod khanna, SanjeevKumar and Gulzar visited his house. Atish gradually gained an insight into the rigours expected in the filmworld.
“It was theera of Rajesh Khanna. As a 10 year-old-kid I was totally fascinated by his style.He would come home and sit with dad. We had our drawing room specially designedfor Kaka, with a bar at one side. Kaka pampered me a lot and came home onSaturdays to drive me to Badshah Cold Drink House at Crawford Market or BadeMiya behind the Taaj Hotel,” remembers Atish.
Another favouritewas Gulzar. “His command over thewritten word was exemplary. He could evoke complex imagery with the use ofsimple everyday words,” Atish says.
Passing outfrom college he took on the onerous task of assisting, editing and learningcinematography. The movies, he learnt, tookform on the editing table. A clash with his father resulted in a parting waysand he joined Doordarshan. “It was a drastic shift from 70 mm to 8 inch. I hadto manage with lesser equipment and zero infrastructure. But I continued for adecade before returning to Mumbai and freelancing. Looking back today, I amcontent that I have always followed the voice of my heart,” shares Atish.
