Did You Know? Kanguva isn’t the first blockbuster filmed without artificial lighting
Cinematographer Vetri Palanisamy recently shared the painstaking planning that went into creating Kanguva's visual experience, explaining how the team harnessed natural light for every scene.
Updated : November 01, 2024 05:36 PM ISTCinematographer Vetri Palanisamy recently shared the painstaking planning that went into creating Kanguva's visual experience, explaining how the team harnessed natural light for every scene.
Kanguva poster
In an impressive feat of cinematography, Vetri Palanisamy has revealed the meticulous planning and dedication behind the decision to shoot Suriya’s Kanguva without any artificial lights—a move reminiscent of KGF, the first major Indian film to attempt this approach two years ago. Directed by Siva, Kanguva showcases Suriya as a tribal leader in the misty, rugged settings of Tamil Nadu’s forests and hills, using only natural light to capture a raw, authentic aesthetic.
"We did extensive homework on the weather and lighting conditions on each island setting in Kanguva. For instance, Perumachi Island, where we filmed, is often covered in fog. To visually recreate this effect, we needed cooperative weather; sunlight would have immediately lifted the fog," Vetri shared with SS Music. He noted that Kodaikanal's climate provided the perfect natural lighting conditions, so the crew avoided any artificial lighting, even avoiding light bouncers for daytime scenes. "Whenever the sun was too bright, we’d cover the trees with fabric to diffuse the sunlight naturally,” he added, revealing the degree of effort that went into controlling natural light on set.
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Vetri also recalled that Suriya initially had concerns about the plan. "When Suriya joined us on set, in full makeup as Kanguva, he was apprehensive. Shooting without artificial lights, especially in dense forests, raised doubts about capturing his nuanced expressions. But after showing him a few takes on the monitor, all his reservations disappeared. He said, 'We’re doing something new here, something that will truly surprise audiences,' and gave us his full support," Vetri recounted.
Interestingly, this commitment to natural lighting was also seen in KGF, directed by Prashanth Neel and shot by Bhuvan Gowda. “We had only natural sources like fire for some fight sequences and a memorable scene with just a matchstick lighting the frame,” Bhuvan explained in an earlier interview with The New Indian Express.