The news of Jeeva’s sudden death has stunned his friends, family and admirers. The young cinematographer-director had gone to Russia for a 30-day shoot of the ‘Jayam’ Ravi-starrer, ‘Dhaam Dhoom’ and the unit was suppose d to return in a couple of days when tragedy struck. “Heading the direction and camera departments can be strenuous. He must have strained himself too much — that too in a foreign country like Russia where weather conditions could be deadly. It’s very sad that the young creator’s end has come so soon and so suddenly,” says filmmaker Suresh Krissna.
“He called up just yesterday to tell me that shooting was nearly over and that I should get the dialogue ready for the next schedule in Chennai. The news has left me shocked. I’m not even able to think coherently,” says S. Ramakrishnan, dialogue writer of Jeeva’s recent release ‘Unnaalae Unnaalae’ and now ‘Dhaam Dhoom.’ Ramakrishnan was supposed to go to Russia with the crew, just as he had been to Australia for ‘Unnaalae …’ But as he was tied up with other projects he couldn’t make it. “Jeeva is one of the most caring and kind persons I’ve met. Ours was not a mere writer-director relationship. It was friendship. Personally it’s a big blow to me,” says a grief-stricken Ramakrishnan.Touched many lives.
Jeeva seems to have had the same effect on many whose lives he touched — Shaam, for instance. “Our relationship went much beyond that of actor and director. He was my mentor. He’s like family. I’ve learnt a lot about life from him — to respect everyone and treat all equally,” says a shattered Shaam. It was Jeeva who had given Shaam his first break with ‘12B.’ “If I’m a known face it’s because of him. When I heard the news, I couldn’t control my tears. I screamed at the person who conveyed it to me. I’m now here at Jeeva’s house and I feel miserable seeing Anees didi (Jeeva’s wife) but still I’m unable to believe he’s gone,” says Shaam. “He had so many dreams. He wanted to change the entire style of filmmaking …” he rues.
Special Visual Effects director Venky is still to get over the shock when you talk to him. “I’ve won four National Awards and for three of them — ‘Kadhalan,’ ‘Indian’ and ‘Kaalapaani’ — Jeeva was the cameraman. [Though Santosh Sivan was the cinematographer of ‘Kaalapaani,’ the segments Venky worked in were handled by Jeeva] I’ve known him since the days he was third or fourth assistant to P.C.Sreeram. He really slogged his way to the top. Career-wise both of us grew together. We would experiment a lot. He was very clear about his target audience — the city bred youth. You can’t see a more confident, jovial and calm worker. That tension caused the tragedy is really puzzling. It has jolted me,” says Venky. Jeeva’s imposing repertoire that includes Shankar’s ‘Gentleman,’ ‘Kadhalan’ and ‘Indian’ and Priyadarshan’s projects, ‘Abhimanyu’ and ‘Tera Ghar Mera Ghar,’ exemplifies his calibre as cinematographer.
Jeeva’s geniality and his technical expertise will live on forever!
“He called up just yesterday to tell me that shooting was nearly over and that I should get the dialogue ready for the next schedule in Chennai. The news has left me shocked. I’m not even able to think coherently,” says S. Ramakrishnan, dialogue writer of Jeeva’s recent release ‘Unnaalae Unnaalae’ and now ‘Dhaam Dhoom.’ Ramakrishnan was supposed to go to Russia with the crew, just as he had been to Australia for ‘Unnaalae …’ But as he was tied up with other projects he couldn’t make it. “Jeeva is one of the most caring and kind persons I’ve met. Ours was not a mere writer-director relationship. It was friendship. Personally it’s a big blow to me,” says a grief-stricken Ramakrishnan.Touched many lives.
Jeeva seems to have had the same effect on many whose lives he touched — Shaam, for instance. “Our relationship went much beyond that of actor and director. He was my mentor. He’s like family. I’ve learnt a lot about life from him — to respect everyone and treat all equally,” says a shattered Shaam. It was Jeeva who had given Shaam his first break with ‘12B.’ “If I’m a known face it’s because of him. When I heard the news, I couldn’t control my tears. I screamed at the person who conveyed it to me. I’m now here at Jeeva’s house and I feel miserable seeing Anees didi (Jeeva’s wife) but still I’m unable to believe he’s gone,” says Shaam. “He had so many dreams. He wanted to change the entire style of filmmaking …” he rues.
Special Visual Effects director Venky is still to get over the shock when you talk to him. “I’ve won four National Awards and for three of them — ‘Kadhalan,’ ‘Indian’ and ‘Kaalapaani’ — Jeeva was the cameraman. [Though Santosh Sivan was the cinematographer of ‘Kaalapaani,’ the segments Venky worked in were handled by Jeeva] I’ve known him since the days he was third or fourth assistant to P.C.Sreeram. He really slogged his way to the top. Career-wise both of us grew together. We would experiment a lot. He was very clear about his target audience — the city bred youth. You can’t see a more confident, jovial and calm worker. That tension caused the tragedy is really puzzling. It has jolted me,” says Venky. Jeeva’s imposing repertoire that includes Shankar’s ‘Gentleman,’ ‘Kadhalan’ and ‘Indian’ and Priyadarshan’s projects, ‘Abhimanyu’ and ‘Tera Ghar Mera Ghar,’ exemplifies his calibre as cinematographer.
Jeeva’s geniality and his technical expertise will live on forever!
1 comment:
Besides being an awesome cinematographer and trendy director he was a lovely humane human being may his memory live on our silver screen :(
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