Decoding Rangasthalam, 1: Nenokkadine & More w/ Cinematographer Rathnavelu | TPRM EP 69

Rathnavelu, the cinematographer behind iconic movies like Rangasthalam and 1: Nenokkadine, enters the Permit Room and talks about studying in Madras Film Institute, shooting Sukumar's movies, his favourite cinematographers, breaks down some scenes, his guru - Rajiv Menon, Aishwarya Rai loving his work, working with Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and much more. Chapters: 00:00 - Why do cinematographers look young?03:29 - Studying in Madras Film Institute08:35 - Does he use the phone camera?11:21 - American Cinematographer magazine14:17 - His favourite cinematographers21:26 - When did he fall in love with cinematography?24:34 - Creative decisions in Rangasthalam31:53 - His guru - Rajiv Menon37:02 - Discussing 1: Nenokkadine’s interval42:26 - What is his personal aesthetic?48:49 - Breaking down 1: Nenokkadine scene54:01 - What is the future of cinematography with AI?56:42 - Cricket and living in Chennai1:02:45 - Shooting ads with Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni1:08:58 - Do cinematographers meet each other?1:14:54 - Heroines want to be in cinematographer’s good books1:17:21 - Disappointed with ID photos1:20:40 - Does he want to become a director?1:28:31 - Movies he will take to Mars1:31:13 - Drinking career1:32:18 - Why is cricket telecast better abroad?1:33:51 - We should start Hyderabad Film Festival1:37:57 - Advice for aspiring cinematographers1:39:50 - Four aspects

Ravindra Vijay enters the Permit Room and talks about him studying for medicine, becoming a doctor, transitioning into acting, working in Family Man, Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya, learning different languages, why he rejects police roles, convincing his parents to become an actor and much more. 00:00 - Where is he from?03:16 - Was he the good student?08:12 - How to manage hangovers?12:49 - Myths about acting23:23 - Family Man and Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya27:05 - Why do people give up on acting?33:27 - Which language has the best cuss words?38:24 - Member questions1:06:44 - Childhood and studies1:11:47 - Toddy shops and kallu compounds1:25:22 - Have you been beaten up by cops?1:31:27 - Actors he loves watching1:36:25 - Why does he reject police roles?1:41:03 - Films on films1:51:37 - Beauty of comedic tracks in Telugu movies2:11:46 - Convincing his parents to transition from medicine to acting2:27:01 - Dying concept of family doctors2:36:30 - Movie recommendations2:41:10 - Four aspects

Ram Venkat Srikar, the man behind Galatta Telugu, and Ajay Vegesna, a screenwriter behind movies like Mangalavaaram, Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty, Mallesham and Awe, enter the Permit Room and talk about Telugu audience, Sankranthi, Bhimavaram, their favourite movies, how they deal with their jobs, advice to aspirants and much more. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction04:01 – Telugu audience and Sankranthi08:33 – Beauty of Bhimavaram14:46 – How were they both as children?22:04 – Festival rankings38:11 – When did you discover caste?47:40 – Movies that you’ll take to Mars1:03:02 – Member questions1:38:24 – How to become a writer or reviewer?

Anil Ravipudi enters the Permit Room and talks about dreaming of becoming a filmmaker, writing for Ala Modalaindhi, mimicry, why he's the best narrator, his movie watching experience, social media, being a good student, his favourite cricketers and much more. Chapters: 00:00 - Intro 1:46 - What did he want to become as a child? 3:45 - Writing for Ala Modalaindhi 10:02 - How did he become a writer? 12:03 - Mimicry and narrating movies 19:43 - Does he read books? 22:51 - Obsessed with watching movies 25:46 - Was he a good student? 37:04 - Where does he find his catchphrases? 42:28 - Dealing with social media 46:08 - Funny English 49:57 - Convincing his parents to become a filmmaker 53:45 - Member questions 1:19:34 - How is he on the day of film release? 1:24:19 - Cameos in his films 1:27:00 - Guessing his favourite cricketers 1:35:06 - Favourite cricket memories 1:41:00 - Movie recommendations 1:43:30 - How does he celebrate festivals? 1:46:00 - Vision for next 10 years 1:47:34 - Favourite mythological characters 1:52:30 - Advice for aspiring filmmakers 1:55:30 - What would he tell his younger self? 1:56:50 - Four aspects

Rohit & Sasi from Avanti Cinema enter the Permit Room and talk about returning for an episode, their 2 releases, the future of interviews, the idea of Goa, favourite Goa movies, their movie recommendations, mental health, 7 sins and much more. 00:00 - Returning to Permit Room 4:30 - 2 releases this year 12:00 - Setting the tone of Permit Room 14:24 - What is the future of interviews? 20:36 - The idea of Goa 3:00 - Favourite Goa movies 41:09 - Movie recommendations 54:18 - What language do you want to learn? 1:01:08 - Mumblecore films 1:05:53 - Movies about movies 1:19:25 - How is our mental health? 1:31:16 - What are your best days? 1:42:55 - If not filmmaker what would you be? 1:47:32 - Are artists struggling mentally? 1:49:49 - 7 sins 2:10:05 - Four aspects 2:12:35 - Happiness, success or love

Harsha Vardhan enters the Permit Room and talks about Amrutham being his first taste of stardom, female fan following, starting his second innings, permit room memories, Upendra's UI, writing, working with Vivek Athreya and much more. Chapters: 00:00 - Can we ask about Amrutham? 4:25 - Was Amrutham his first taste of stardom? 7:10 - Female fan following of Amrutham 12:25 - Current directors being fans of Amrutham 17:18 - Upbringing and school life 27:23 - Permit Room memories 30:30 - BTS of TNR interview 41:28 - Thumbnail reactions 42:51 - Why he didn’t marry? 1:04:20 - Fear of loneliness 1:18:23 - What would present day Amrutham episode topics be? 1:23:46 - Why is Upendra’s UI so good? 1:39:24 - Non-recognition as a side actor 1:49:21 - Under appreciatedj roles 1:51:39 - Writing or acting 1:59:05 - Vivek Athreya is a genius 2:05:36 - Improvisations in Amrutham 2:22:58 - Transitioning from music to acting 2:25:37 - When was he star struck? 2:41:24 - How important is luck? 2:55:43 - Book and movie recommendations 3:10:52 - Telugu losing its relevance 3:24:24 - Four aspects

Pavani Karanam enters the Permit Room and talks about how her life changed after Pushpa 2, how she auditioned for it, working with Sukumar, how Allu Arjun is on set, working on Pareshan and much more. Chapters: 00:00 - Managing Instagram fame 6:10 - Opinions on upma 10:45 - Lockdown stories 13:22 - Pareshan memories 17:41 - Quitting her job to start acting 26:47 - Auditioning for Pushpa 38:04 - Shooting for Pushpa 41:33 - How has life changed after Pushpa 2? 46:42 - How was it working with Allu Arjun? 1:00:34 - Reacting to Pushpa thumbnails 1:05:02 - Member questions 1:14:20 - School life 1:25:28 - How did parents accept her acting career? 1:35:13 - Daily life of an actor 1:45:41 - Movie recommendations 1:48:05 - What sport would she choose for a biopic? 1:51:29 - Obsessions 2:00:03 - Four aspects 2:03:39 - New year resolutions

Priyadarshi enters the Permit Room and talks about college life, his sobriety, working with Mohan Krishna Indraganti, his favourite teachers, life in HCU, being superstitious, sustaining frienships, how he looks at work, directors, life outside movies and much more. Chapters: 00:00 - History of interviews with Hriday 4:45 - Is he still sober? 7:04 - Who are his favourite creators? 13:53 - Working with Mohan Krishna Indraganti 17:17 - How was last year? 21:38 - Great teachers 29:43 - Fun HCU stories 34:23 - Drinking career 40:39 - Sustaining university friendships 50:40 - Is he superstitious? 59:47 - Member questions 1:00:35 - How to sustain friendships in industry? 1:11:06 - Why Balagam? 1:20:53 - Dealing with Darling’s reception 1:28:50 - What does he look for in a director? 1:37:03 - How to navigate your 20s? 1:45:52 - Star Name 1:51:17 - Where does he see his career go in the future? 1:57:03 - How to reach out to him? 2:09:35 - Life outside movies 2:13:02 - How do his parents react to his career? 2:16:05 - What feedback do we have for him?

Mohan Krishna Indraganti enters the Permit Room and talks about being an upstream filmmaker, his favourite teachers, if he was punished in school, comedies that he loves, if he was exposed to pornography, his favourite words, equation with religion, Sarangapani Jathakam and much more. Chapters: 00:00 - Upstream filmmaker 7:44 - Which subject teachers are kinder? 11:11 - Favourite teachers 12:48 - Was he punished in school? 18:53 - What would he be if not for a director? 33:16 - Comedy recommendations 46:47 - Was he exposed to pornography? 1:05:37 - Member questions 1:21:23 - Favourite words 1:30:16 - Equation with religion 1:36:42 - Four aspects 1:44:37 - Why we should watch Sarangapani Jathakam

Chinmayi Sripada enters the Permit Room and talks about becoming a singer, debuting with A. R. Rahman, her equation with her mother, how she got into voice acting, why she speaks up, her entrepreneurial journey, if we should separate art from the artist, her marriage with Rahul Ravindran, friendship with Nandini Reddy, Samantha and much more!