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Directed by Sai Marthand and produced by Aditya Hasan (ETV Win Originals), when Little Hearts hit theatres, few expected it to explode into a box office storm. Yet, its candid tone, fresh narrative, and heartfelt visual language struck a chord across Telugu audiences.
At the heart of its success is cinematographer Suriya Balaji, making his debut as a DOP with this film.
Suriya’s journey began humbly as an assistant cameraman, before steadily learning the craft under masters. Over time, he worked on films like Savyasachi (2017, with Naga Chaitanya), Venky Mama, Seetharam, 90ML, Maestro, Bangarraju, Vaathi, and Devara. He proudly credits his gurus J. Yuvraj, Prasad Murella, and Rathnavelu (Randy) for shaping his craft.
Photography runs in his blood. His father, a passionate lensman and admirer of PC Sreeram, inspired him as early as 6th and 7th standard, when he started shooting street and people photographs. Later, during his Visual Communication course, Suriya interned with Indian Express. A feature he shot on Pongal festivities became a turning point, cementing his interest in storytelling through images.
Speaking about Little Hearts, Suriya says:
“We didn’t want it to be either a formulaic Telugu commercial film or a raw slice of life. Instead, we walked a midway path balancing realism with a surreal, glossy tone.”
His dual-tone experiment stood out: in frames where the light source was cool (like a tube light), the subjects glowed warm, creating an intimate, dream-like feel.
The challenge was filming in live locations a rarity in Telugu cinema. Hyderabad’s iconic 100-year-old Exhibition (Numaish) became a natural backdrop, and montages in the city were captured in a free-flowing, candid style. This spontaneity added vibrancy, keeping the story rooted in real life while still cinematic.
For the heart of the film, Suriya turned to the Cooke Panchro series, a choice that elevated the film’s emotional palette. The lenses are celebrated for their legendary “Cooke Look” a quality that renders skin tones with warmth and smoothness while softening the harsh edges of reality.
The subtle flares often acted like brushstrokes of emotion, wrapping the rom com in a dreamy yet grounded atmosphere. Suriya believes the Panchros became his silent collaborators, amplifying the innocence and freshness he sought to portray.
Highlights didn’t clip sharply but instead rolled off gently, giving a glow that felt human and organic.
The film’s release turned into a celebration. Audiences roared in laughter, families related to its warmth, and critics noted it’s refreshing visual grammar.
“During the premiere, we already felt the strong reception. Later, watching the celebration in theatres with my parents was the most emotional moment of my life. My father’s dream was fulfilled.”
With Little Hearts, Suriya Balaji has announced himself as a cinematographer to watch. His ability to merge street-style spontaneity with Cooke’s cinematic elegance has given Telugu cinema a refreshing new visual identity.
“I want to take on newer challenges and level up from here,” he says. For audiences and the industry, that’s an exciting promise.
Supported By: OmkarOutdoorUnit
