‘First capture it in your mind, then through the lens’: Harikrishnan Lohithadas on cinematography

"Life must be experienced with all its meaning. If you see a beautiful moment, don’t just rush to capture it on camera. First, capture it in your mind. Then only capture it with your camera. Perhaps that is how this habit developed…” says Harikrishnan Lohithadas, son of one of Malayalam cinema’s greatest screenwriters, Lohithadas, and a cinematographer in his own right.

"Our father was someone who always tried to give us more experiences. He never told us to study to become great or to earn money. He always said, ‘It is enough if you become a good human being.’ I only realised as I grew older that it is the most difficult thing of all.”

For Harikrishnan, being Lohithadas’s son was not an easy path into films. He only took up the camera after he was fully prepared to become a chief technician. He studied at LV Prasad Academy, Chennai, and later worked as an assistant with cinematographers like Venu and Girish Gangadharan. Afterwards, he worked on several short films. Over nearly 12 years, he engaged in various jobs related to cinematography, slowly establishing himself before entering Malayalam cinema as an independent cinematographer.

His first recognition came from handling the camera for director Devadath Shaji’s short film, which later grew into a strong friendship. That bond eventually led him to Dheeran. His first feature film was ‘Pralayashesham Oru Jalakanyaka’ (A Mermaid After the Flood).

"The desire to learn cinematography started when I was very young itself. Even when I was in the fourth standard, I had such a dream. I had also shared this wish with my father. He used to ask me, even during the last days of his life, whether I was going to assist someone. I had gone to many of my father’s film sets. It was only when I grew up that I started observing the process of filmmaking with more attention. Even now, I watch films repeatedly to understand more about cinematography.”

Harikrishnan also has an interest in writing, his father’s field. “I enjoy writing. At present, I am attempting to write a screenplay. At one time, the identity of being Lohithadas’s son felt like a heavy burden. But now, I feel that weight has started to lessen. To exist in cinema both as a writer and a cinematographer is indeed my great desire.”

His younger brother Vijayashankar Lohithadas is also following their father’s writing path. Vijayashankar is preparing to write and direct a film of his own, and Harikrishnan is currently involved in those discussions.