Director Rajiv Menon’s exclusive interview! Sneak peak into Sarvam Thaala Mayam

His career spans across a myriad of crafts, all behind the camera. Like dispersed precipitation, he takes over the feature films section one project at a time; as and when whatever pleases his palette. With a new movie coming up, Director Rajiv Menon is on top of his game, the trophy – his content.

Ad filmmaker, cinematographer, photographer, there are so many facets to Kochi-born Rajiv Menon. Having directed Minsara Kanavu in 1997 and the subsequent Kandukondein Kandukondein in 2001, it is after a hiatus of almost 18 years that the director is back to making movies this time with a heavily music-based one called Sarvam Thaala Mayam.

When did the passion for arts begin?

“After studying in the Tamil Nadu film institute, I was specializing in working the Steadicam, an invention of Garrett Brown who went on to win an Oscar for his work. I trained under him and it totally altered my perspective in life. In western countries, you don’t do something unless you can give the best work possible for it. I want to be the very best at what I do and thus it began my conquests with cameras.”

Would you consider yourself a jack of all trades when it comes to the camera?

“I don’t think I am even up to the level of Jack. I would consider myself a student as I am eternally learning. There is no such thing as mastering an art. I think, there is always so many new things coming up that you will have to keep updating yourself all the time. When it comes to visual mediums, I give it that space and invest in observing. I let myself live the moment when I am taking a picture as well so that I am learning. I think I owe it to myself to schedule that time to learn.”

I am not one to play by industry rules. Whatever I am, whatever I like it shows in my work. If people are tagging me as classy instead of commercial because of it, I accept it with all humility.