Binod Pradhan
| Binod Pradhan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kalimpong, India |
| Nationality | Nepalese, Indian |
| Occupation | Cinematographer |
| Title | ISC |
Binod Pradhan (native of Kalimpong, West Bengal) is an acclaimed Nepali and Indian nationals cinematographer whose creative visuals and cutting-edge imagery have left their mark on Indian cinema. Pradhan is Indian by birth and citizenship but also a Nepalese as he holds a Nepalese citizenship and passport. Some his award-winning works include 1942 A Love Story, Devdas, Rang De Basanti, Mission Kashmir, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Puli (2010).
Binod grew up in the picturesque hill town of Kalimpong, West Bengal. Coming from a humble Nepali background, Binod got his first box camera in the early years from his father, H. K. Pradhan, who ran a photo studio. The love affair with camera started from thereon. Binod would shoot black-and-white pictures and try and colour them using water-paints. He was often caught shooting unknown portraits and making prints of them. Displeased at first, his father recognized his work and most of Binod's images landed up on the display case of the studio and he was rewarded with an Asahi Pentax. Binod and his camera were pretty much inseparable and by the age of 14, he was running things at the studio.
Soon found the isolated life at Kalimpong was a hindrance for taking up photography as a career option. There was no formal forum to learn new techniques and share his experience. On hearing about FTII in Pune, he approached the institute with his portfolio and was admitted into a three-year course in cinematography.
The break into films came when film director Prem Sagar came to the institute to judge the students' work. Impressed with Binod's work, Prem Sagar immediately offered him the job of an assistant at Sagar Arts. He went on to assist Prem Sagar on the Dharam-Hema Malini starrers, Charas and Ram Bharose. Realizing that he was not making his identity in the huge industry, he started looking at other options. Ace cameraman A. K. Bir, who was working on a film Gharonda offered him the job of assistant cameraman, in charge of the zoom and focus department. This proved to be a very useful internship.
...
Wikipedia