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Aseem Bajaj is one of the most respected cinematographers in the industry, known for his ability to explore various genres through visual storytelling. His work has earned him multiple awards for Best Cinematography, and he has also ventured into film production, collaborating with Oscar-winning cinematographer Russell Carpenter on a film directed by Leena Yadav.
Having worked on more than nine films with Cooke lenses—from the S4/i to S7/i series—Bajaj considers optics more important than the camera itself.
“For me, optics are more important than the camera. Digital imaging is a sharper medium, and I need lenses that provide softer edges.
Cooke does that. They’ve been manufacturing lenses since the motion picture film era, and they continue to bring that signature warmth and rendition across all their series.
The ‘Cooke Look’ is something I rely on.”
Bajaj describes Cooke as a “fine balance, a Saviour—an antiseptic in the digital high-resolution era.” While he has worked with various camera systems, he has never changed his choice of optics.
While shooting Shivaay in Bhuj, Bajaj faced +52°C in India and nearly -40°C in freezing conditions elsewhere. Despite these extreme temperatures, Cooke lenses performed flawlessly.
“The robustness of Cooke lenses is another key factor. They worked perfectly for me, whether in the scorching heat or freezing cold.”
Among all Cooke lenses, Bajaj’s absolute favorite is the Cooke 60mm i/FF Macro.
“The 60mm iMacro is my most versatile lens. It gives me incredible flexibility, whether for close-ups or mid-range shots. The detail, softness, and depth it provides are unmatched. It balances sharpness and smooth focus fall-off beautifully, making it indispensable for my cinematography.”
This lens allows Bajaj to capture intricate textures and fine details, maintaining the signature Cooke warmth that enhances his storytelling.
Bajaj’s upcoming film, Son of Sardaar 2, is the much-anticipated sequel to the earlier hit. Directed by Vijay Kumar Arora, the film is a feel-good comedy shot 90% in Edinburgh, Scotland, over two and a half months.
The film features dominant blue tones and vibrant colors, with costume and lighting temperatures ranging between 7500K and 8000K
to create an energetic visual style. “Cooke lenses help balance these vibrant colors with just the right amount of softness, which is essential when handling such strong visuals.”
Bajaj also praised Cooke’s exceptional support.
“When I was in the UK, with just one phone call, Cooke provided me with the lenses I needed. Their support system is unmatched.”
“My choice of cameras always depends on the signal-to-noise ratio, but when it comes to optics, Cooke is my favorite.” From his extensive experience, Aseem Bajaj continues to trust Cooke lenses for their unique balance, reliability, and ability to elevate visual storytelling.
