No Filter: The man behind the stunning still shots from high-budget thriller Saaho

Wherever you go, there are people talking about the film stills — from cab drivers to wedding parties.

Sudarshan, who has shot for over 10 films so far, has made his entry into the big movie league with Saaho, which will be releasing in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam on August 30. Starring A-listers, including Prabhas, Shraddha Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Arun Vijay, Jackie Shroff, and Mandira Bedi, it is touted to be one of the biggest films made in the country with a hefty budget of over Rs 300-crore. The film has garnered everyone’s attention — from fans to the industry bigwigs. Sudarshan’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing ever since the high-octane thriller’s posters were out. Incidentally, Sudarshan has already worked with Prabhas on another film that is set to hit the screens after Saaho. His work on that project won Sudarshan a lot of praises, including from Prabhas himself, and the team knew that he was the right man to take on the job for Saaho as well. Needless to say, Sudarshan was floored when he heard of the offer, and gladly hopped onto the next flight to Europe to be part of this project.

A lot of the stills you see are candid shots, which were shot by Sudarshan by sneakily hiding behind a tree or a bush. During the song, if you happen to notice a shrub in the background rustling, it is most likely Sudarshan, trying to hide his lanky frame, while working his magic. These candid shots and his dedication is said to have impressed Prabhas, helping establish a good rapport between the duo.

Sudarshan’s job is quite challenging, given the cold weather in Austria, Romania and other regions in Europe where the film was shot. Sometimes, he would get just about five minutes between breaks to get a shot in the freezing cold weather. Shraddha was apparently very meticulous and detail-oriented despite the inclement weather. A little birdie tells me that at a recent party in Mumbai, the actress was all praises for Sudarshan’s work.

Fans are also eagerly awaiting the release of the song featuring Jacqueline Fernandez, who Sudarshan recalls being extremely professional on sets. He is grateful to the Telugu production team for giving him the freedom and space to not just shoot the images, but also have a say in the creative aspects and out-takes. “I couldn’t have asked for a better debut in Telugu and Hindi film industries. I am eternally grateful to Prabhas sir for this. This was a very special project, at the same time very nerve-racking to work with some of the biggest stars in the country. I was in tears when we wrapped up, as I could feel the gravity of the incredible opportunity that I was presented with in my career with the film. It took me 10 years to get here, and I’m looking forward to besting my work in the years to come,” Sudarshan signs off.