#pankaj kumar

January 12, 2019

by Inakshi Chandra-Mohanty

1. Pankaj Kumar - Tumbbad

The best visuals of the year are in the epic horror fantasy film Tumbbad. From the outer shot of the ‘haveli’ (mansion) drenched in the non-stop rain, to the barely lit close ups of Vinayak’s (Sohum Shah) face as he searches for the hidden treasure, each frame tells a story of its own. Tumbbad is like one of those ancient tales that one would read in Amar Chitra Katha comics, unfolding on screen. And therefore, each frame feels like a drawing from one of those books, picturized on screen. The mixture of colors, red, blue, and yellow, make Tumbbad and the ‘haveli’ look threatening. Greed brings forth darkness and sadness, and the stark visuals of Tumbbad reflect upon this theme. Overall, this film achieves the perfect tone thanks to the visuals.

2. Avik Mukhopadhyay - October

For a film to be cinematographically brilliant, the shots do not need to be conventionally beautiful, standing out above the rest. Perfect framing, and unique, but emphatic angles are equally as essential to making the cinematography a success. October has a mixture of stunning shots and succinct framing.  The former comprise of shots such as the close-ups of the Shiuli flowers and the gorgeous wide angles of Kullu when Dan moves there for work. The latter, however, comprises of some of the most emotional, poignant shots of the film. The most resonating scene in the film is when Shiuli’s mother tells Dan to leave. The focus of the camera begins on a close up of the door opening in the foreground and then shifts to Shiuli’s mother speaking in the background. The angle at which this shot is presented and the framing of the character in comparison to the door can allow for much interpretation in regards to the dynamic between Dan and Shiuli’s mother, and the connection that the two have as the only ones that still have hope. The film is filled with many more instances of thoughtful framing that truly makes it like poetry on screen.

3. Sayak Bhattacharya - Laila Majnu

Kashmir is one of the most beautiful locations in India because it is one of the few areas where multiple seasons can be experienced. From snow, to rain, to a gorgeous sunrise over the mountains, the makers of Laila Majnu have taken full advantage of the breadth of Kashmir. In the second half, when Majnu’s depression takes a toll on his health, we see him travelling across the vast mountains and forests of Kashmir during the songs, as he begins to speak to the imaginary Laila. During these sequences, there is a combination of greenery, sunlight, and snow, as all the different facets of these gorgeous valleys are explored. Apart from that, even the song during the end credits has gripping cinematography, as the camera captures Laila and Majnu dancing on bridges, in large fields, and on the mountains, as snow, autumn leaves, and greenery surround them. That one song itself is enough to encapsulate all seasons. Without the brilliant cinematography, the film would have been incomplete, and it would have been a disappointment for a film set in Kashmir not to fully explore it.

4. Tushar Kanti Ray - Kedarnath

Like Laila Majnu, Kedarnath is also set in an area filled with mountains and valleys, making for some beautiful sights. The makers explored the whole location, especially during the flood sequence. One of the best shots in the film is towards the end when the camera focused on Mansoor (Sushant Singh Rajput) from above, while he stared upwards as the water surrounded and engulfed him. However, the most beautiful frames in the film were not of the grand landscape but were instead during the scene when Mansoor and Mukku (Sara Ali Khan) spent time together in the cave. There is a striking contrast of colors as there is blue from the sky and rain, meshed with an orange hue from the fire lit in the cave. The harshness of the colors, signifies the intensity of their relationship as this is the moment when they truly accept their emotions for one another. The strength of the emotions, portrayed through the visuals in this scene and the remainder of the film, is what makes Kedarnath the epic that it tries to be.

5. Anil Mehta - Beyond the Clouds

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