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For over a decade, Renadive has quietly but steadily carved a niche for himself in the Malayalam film industry, emerging as one of its most distinctive visual storytellers. Born into a household where film reels and negatives were part of everyday life—thanks to his father, Kallayil Vijayaraghavan, a BSNL employee and passionate photographer—Renadive’s fascination with imagery began early. “Since I had always wanted to be a cinematographer, I was absorbing everything without even knowing it,” he reflects.
His professional journey began under the mentorship of cinematographer and director Azhagappan, which opened doors to collaborations with several eminent filmmakers. A defining chapter of his career began when he met director Amal Neerad. What started as a professional opportunity grew into a decade-long creative collaboration. “It was a deeply influential phase—learning, exploring, and evolving alongside a visionary” he says.
Renadive’s breakthrough as an independent cinematographer came with Kullante Bharya, a segment in the anthology Anchu Sundarikal, produced by Amal Neerad. “But I always wanted my first full-length feature film as a DOP to be with Amal sir,” he shares. That aspiration materialized with CIA (Comrade in America).
He fondly recalls his early excitement with film processing in the darkroom: “Watching the image slowly appear was pure bliss.” While the industry has transitioned to digital, that sense of wonder remains—transformed but undiminished.
In digital cinematography, Renadive selects camera systems based on the grain structure and detail required by the genre. “Earlier, I used Master and Ultra Primes with film stock. But for my last three feature films, Cooke optics have become my go-to.”
When asked about his preferred focal lengths, he responds without hesitation: “32mm and 35mm—they offer the most natural perspective. I consider them my ‘normal’ lenses.”
“I aim to reproduce the mood of the surroundings as naturally as possible. Cooke’s rendering supports this beautifully, with a delicate fall-off and a poetic softness around the edges that I really love.”
As for color, he gravitates toward moody tones. “I like working with shades… Black is my favorite color. It has depth and says more by showing less.”
Whether shooting on film or digital, Renadive captures moments with quiet elegance, allowing light, shadow, and subtle texture to carry the narrative. Cooke’s optics—with their characteristic warmth and softness—are perfectly attuned to his cinematic voice.
