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Vishnu R. Dev – Cinematographer
Vishnu R. Dev is a visionary cinematographer whose work speaks volumes about his passion for storytelling. Known for his contributions to Dhruva Natchathiram Chapter 1: Yuddha Kaandam, and Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse (2025), he has a gift for crafting immersive visual experiences that leave a lasting impact on audiences.
Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse is more than just a film; it is an exploration of emotions, depth, and grounded storytelling. At its heart lies a simple character navigating complex emotions, with a climax designed to surprise and resonate deeply with the audience. Working alongside director Gautham Menon—a filmmaker who embraces spontaneity and finds the essence of the film in the process—I had the exhilarating challenge of shaping the film’s visual identity as it evolved.
From the outset, our mission was clear: create an experience that stands apart from conventional thrillers. We aimed to keep the film as grounded as possible, crafting a cinematic language that feels raw, real, and deeply engaging. To achieve this, I played with spatial design—making interiors feel confining while letting exterior shots breathe with openness, enhancing the contrast between emotional and physical spaces.
Dominic and the ladies purse
Color temperature played a crucial role in evoking the essence of each location:
The idea was to distinguish the geography yet stay cohesive with the nature of the film. These shifts were largely achieved in-camera, allowing subtle yet powerful visual differences between locations while ensuring skin tones remained lifelike and expressive in the DI (Digital Intermediate) process. My approach to lighting embraced strong backlights, diffused ambient glows, and balanced contrasts to add depth and realism.
Dominic and the ladies purse
For this film, wide lenses were my storytellers, especially the 35mm and 32mm, which helped me build intimacy while maintaining depth. My first choice was the Cooke S4/i lenses, paired with the Alexa 35
For the film’s climactic moments, I turned to Cooke Panchros, which delivered a unique, gripping quality perfect for the intense resolution of the narrative.
For this film, wide lenses were my storytellers, especially the 35mm and 32mm, which helped me build intimacy while maintaining depth. My first choice was the Cooke S4/i lenses, paired with the Alexa 35, marking my first project with this powerful camera. The Alexa 35’s extraordinary latitude, combined with the gentle roll-off and poetic softness of Cooke S4/i lenses, created breathtaking imagery that no other combination could replicate.
Dominic and the ladies purse
I explored other options, including Cooke S7/i with Sony Venice 2, but ultimately, the classic aesthetic of the Alexa 35 and S4/i pairing won me over. For the film’s climactic moments, I turned to Cooke Panchros, which delivered a unique, gripping quality perfect for the intense resolution of the narrative.
Dominic and the ladies purse
Gautham Menon’s love for dynamic cinematography meant that almost the entire film was shot on a gimbal, ensuring fluid movement that enhanced the storytelling. With Mammootty’s presence—a legend whose screen charisma is unmatched—I focused on capturing every nuance of his performance with raw authenticity.
Dominic and the ladies purse
Tight interior spaces presented a challenge, pushing me to innovate with top lighting techniques, creating seamless transitions from key to fill light that the Cooke lenses handled with astonishing smoothness.
Dominic and the ladies purse
Ultimately, this film was a journey in crafting a visual language that felt natural yet deeply evocative. Every frame was designed to pull the audience into Dominic’s world, making them feel every emotion, every moment, and every revelation as if they were living it themselves. My hope is that this cinematography leaves a lasting impact, inspiring future filmmakers to push boundaries and tell their stories with passion and authenticity.
Supported By: Taher Cine Tekniq.
