Binod Pradhan
Encyclopedia
Binod Pradhan is an acclaimed Indian cinematographer
whose creative visuals and cutting-edge imagery have left their mark on Indian cinema. 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).
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 a 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.
Work soon dried up and he often found himself changing addresses very often. Few sporadic assignments like documentaries (for Durga Khote
productions), ads and corporate films helped improve his technical skills.
During this period, he lived with a Kutchi family and this was when he met Dolly. He fell in love with Dolly, and was unable to convince her parents. Resorting to desperate measures, he eloped with her back to Kalimpong. They soon had their first-born, Binay. Out-of-work Binod devoted himself completely to raising him.
Slowly, old friends approached him with work assignments. He worked with Mani Kaul
on the celluloid version of Ghashiram Kotwal
and did Jabbar Patel's Jait Re Jait
. The Assamese
film Apa Roopa happened then.
The dry spell finally broke when Kundan Shah
started gathering all his mates from FTII
for the film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
. This film went on to reach cult status.
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
whose creative visuals and cutting-edge imagery have left their mark on Indian cinema. Some his award-winning works include 1942 A Love Story, Devdas
Devdas (2002 film)
Devdas is a 2002 Bollywood film based on the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella Devdas. This is the third Hindi version and the first colour film version of the story in Hindi...
, Rang De Basanti
Rang De Basanti
Rang De Basanti is a 2006 Indian drama film written and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. It features an ensemble cast comprising Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth Narayan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and British actress Alice Patten in the lead roles...
, Mission Kashmir
Mission Kashmir
Mission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by...
, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is a 2003 Indian comedy directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The story involves protagonist Munna Bhai , a goon, going to medical school. He is helped by his sidekick, Circuit . It is the first film in the popular Munna Bhai series...
and Puli
Puli (film)
Puli is a 2010 Telugu action film written and directed by S. J. Suryaah, starring Pawan Kalyan in the lead role, with Nikeesha Patel, Manoj Bajpai, Charan Raj, Nassar, Jyothi Krishna, Bhrahmaji, Ali and Girish Karnad in supporting roles and Shriya Saran appearing in an item number. The film...
(2010).
Biography
Binod grew up in the picturesque hill town of Kalimpong in Darjeeling. Coming from a humble background, Binod got his first box cameraBox camera
The box camera is, with the exception of the pin hole camera, a camera in its simplest form. The form of the classic box camera is no more than a cardboard or plastic box with a lens in one end and film at the other. A simple box camera has only a single element meniscus fixed focus lens and...
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
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
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 a Asahi Pentax
Asahi Pentax
The Asahi Pentax series, by the , was a pivotal development in modern photography. It was the first model of Pentax camera.- Background :In 1957, the Asahi Optical Company introduced the Pentax, a 35 mm Single-lens reflex camera camera which was so well received that it influenced the design...
. 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
Film and Television Institute of India
Film and Television Institute of India , is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. It is fully aided by Central Government of India. It is situated in the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company in Pune, India...
in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
, he approached the institute with his portfolio and was admitted into a three-year course in cinematography
Cinematography
Cinematography is the making of lighting and camera choices when recording photographic images for cinema. It is closely related to the art of still photography...
.
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
Charas (film)
Charas is a 1976 Hindi movie produced and directed by Ramanand Sagar. The film stars Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Ajit, Aruna Irani, Amjad Khan, Asrani, Sujit Kumar, Keshto Mukherjee and Tom Alter. The film's music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal...
and Ram Bharose
Ram Bharose
Ram Bharose is a 1977 Bollywood comedy film directed by Anand Sagar.-Cast:*Randhir Kapoor ... Rampratap*Rekha ... Kiran*Amjad Khan ... Bhanupratap*Dara Singh ... Sardar Vikram Singh*Keshto Mukherjee*Kanan Kaushal*Madan Puri... The boss...
. 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
Gharonda
Gharonda is a 1977 Hindi movie. Produced and directed by Bhimsain Khurana the film stars Amol Palekar, Zarina Wahab, Shreeram Lagoo and Jalal Agha. The music is by Jaidev.-Plot:...
offered him the job of assistant cameraman, in charge of the zoom and focus department. This proved to be a very useful internship.
Work soon dried up and he often found himself changing addresses very often. Few sporadic assignments like documentaries (for Durga Khote
Durga Khote
Durga Khote was an Indian actress, starting as one of the foremost leading ladies of her times, she remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around 200 films and numerous theatre productions....
productions), ads and corporate films helped improve his technical skills.
During this period, he lived with a Kutchi family and this was when he met Dolly. He fell in love with Dolly, and was unable to convince her parents. Resorting to desperate measures, he eloped with her back to Kalimpong. They soon had their first-born, Binay. Out-of-work Binod devoted himself completely to raising him.
Slowly, old friends approached him with work assignments. He worked with Mani Kaul
Mani Kaul
Mani Kaul was an Indian film director of Hindi films. He graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India where he was a student of Ritwik Ghatak and later became a teacher. Started his career with Uski Roti , which won him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie, he went on to win...
on the celluloid version of Ghashiram Kotwal
Ghashiram Kotwal
Ghashiram Kotwal is a Marathi play written by playwright Vijay Tendulkar in 1972 , as his response to the rise of a local political party, Shiv Sena, in Maharashta . The play is a political satire, written as historical drama. Based on the life of Nana Phadnavis , one of the prominent minister in...
and did Jabbar Patel's Jait Re Jait
Jait Re Jait
Jait Re Jait is 1977 Marathi film directed by Jabbar Patel and won Best Feature Film in Marathi at National Film Award.It is considered to be one of the greatest musical hits of all time in Marathi cinema. This movie was produced by Usha Mangeshkar & Hridaynath Mangeshkar, under the banner,...
. The Assamese
Assamese language
Assamese is the easternmost Indo-Aryan language. It is used mainly in the state of Assam in North-East India. It is also the official language of Assam. It is also spoken in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and other northeast Indian states. Nagamese, an Assamese-based Creole language is widely used in...
film Apa Roopa happened then.
The dry spell finally broke when Kundan Shah
Kundan Shah
Kundan Shah is an Indian film director and writer.He is most known for his comedy classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and his 1985-1986, TV series Nukkad with Saeed Akhtar Mirza.-Biography:...
started gathering all his mates from FTII
Film and Television Institute of India
Film and Television Institute of India , is an autonomous Institute under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. It is fully aided by Central Government of India. It is situated in the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Film Company in Pune, India...
for the film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
This article is about the 1983 film. For the 2007 film with a similar title, see Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a 1983 Hindi film directed by Kundan Shah and produced by NFDC...
. This film went on to reach cult status.
Cinematographer
- MausamMausamMausam is a 1975 Indian film directed by Gulzar and loosely based on the story "Weather", from the novel, The Judas Tree, by A.J. Cronin. Sharmila Tagore for her acting received The Silver Lotus Award at the 23rd National Film Festival and the movie was honoured by presenting an award for 2nd Best...
(2011) - Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011)
- Komaram Puli (2010) (Telugu)
- Delhi-6Delhi-6Delhi-6 is a 2009 Hindi-language film directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and starring Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Om Puri, Waheeda Rahman, Rishi Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, Deepak Dobriyal and Divya Dutta. The film is reportedly based on Mehra's growing up years in Chandni Chowk area of Old...
(2009) - HeroesHeroes (2008 film)Heroes is a 2008 Hindi film directed by Samir Karnik and starring Salman Khan, Mithun Chakraborty, Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Bobby Deol, Sohail Khan, Dino Morea and Vatsal Sheth. The film was written by Aseem Arora. Although initially set to be released on 6 June 2008, it was pushed to 24 October...
(2008) - Kismat KonnectionKismat KonnectionKismat Konnection is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Aziz Mirza who previously directed films like Yes Boss , Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Chalte Chalte . The film stars Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan in the lead roles with Juhi Chawla in a supporting role. Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan is...
(2008) - Nanhe JaisalmerNanhe JaisalmerNanhe Jaisalmer - A Dream Come True is a 2007 film directed by Samir Karnik and featuring Bobby Deol as himself and child actor Dwij Yadav in the title role...
(2007) - Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007)
- Rang De BasantiRang De BasantiRang De Basanti is a 2006 Indian drama film written and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. It features an ensemble cast comprising Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth Narayan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and British actress Alice Patten in the lead roles...
(2006) - Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...Dil Jo Bhi Kahey...Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... is a Bollywood film released in 2005. It is directed by Romesh Sharma who is best known for having produced Hum...
(2005) - Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is a 2003 Indian comedy directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The story involves protagonist Munna Bhai , a goon, going to medical school. He is helped by his sidekick, Circuit . It is the first film in the popular Munna Bhai series...
(2003) - DevdasDevdas (2002 film)Devdas is a 2002 Bollywood film based on the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella Devdas. This is the third Hindi version and the first colour film version of the story in Hindi...
(2002) - Mission KashmirMission KashmirMission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by...
(2000) - KareebKareebKareeb is a 1998 Bollywood film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It stars Bobby Deol and Neha.- Plot :...
(1998) - 1942: A Love Story1942: A Love Story1942: A Love Story is a 1994 Bollywood film starring Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, and Pran. The film was the first ever to be given a U/A rating while featuring a scene, previously considered inappropriate for young children, showing the actors kissing...
(1993) - Raju Ban Gaya GentlemanRaju Ban Gaya GentlemanRaju Ban Gaya Gentleman is a 1992 Bollywood movie directed by Aziz Mirza starring Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Amrita Singh and Nana Patekar. Khan plays Raj Mathur, a young engineering graduate from Darjeeling who comes to Bombay hoping to become an important engineer...
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(1991) - ParindaParindaParinda is an award-winning 1989 Indian film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Parinda is considered by many to be the turning point in reality in Hindi cinema, as the theme of the film discusses the real life of Indian underworld gangsters and the general life of residents in the city...
(1989) - PaporiPaporiPapori is an Assamese language feature film directed by Jahnu Barua. The film stars Gopi Desai, Biju Phukan, Sushil Goswami, Chetana Das and Dulal Roy. The film was released in 1986.-Plot summary:...
(1986) - KhamoshKhamoshKhamosh is 1985 Indian thriller directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra.The film starred Bollywood actors such as Naseerudin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Amol Palekar, Soni Razdan and Pankaj Kapoor. It, however, did not do well at the box office....
(1985) - Jaane Bhi Do YaaroJaane Bhi Do YaaroThis article is about the 1983 film. For the 2007 film with a similar title, see Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a 1983 Hindi film directed by Kundan Shah and produced by NFDC...
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(1982) - Jait Re JaitJait Re JaitJait Re Jait is 1977 Marathi film directed by Jabbar Patel and won Best Feature Film in Marathi at National Film Award.It is considered to be one of the greatest musical hits of all time in Marathi cinema. This movie was produced by Usha Mangeshkar & Hridaynath Mangeshkar, under the banner,...
(1977) - Ghashiram KotwalGhashiram KotwalGhashiram Kotwal is a Marathi play written by playwright Vijay Tendulkar in 1972 , as his response to the rise of a local political party, Shiv Sena, in Maharashta . The play is a political satire, written as historical drama. Based on the life of Nana Phadnavis , one of the prominent minister in...
(1976)
Associate Director
- Mission KashmirMission KashmirMission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by...
(2000) - KareebKareebKareeb is a 1998 Bollywood film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It stars Bobby Deol and Neha.- Plot :...
(1998) - 1942: A Love Story1942: A Love Story1942: A Love Story is a 1994 Bollywood film starring Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, and Pran. The film was the first ever to be given a U/A rating while featuring a scene, previously considered inappropriate for young children, showing the actors kissing...
(1993)
International Indian Film Academy Awards
- 2003 Won for the film DevdasDevdas (2002 film)Devdas is a 2002 Bollywood film based on the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella Devdas. This is the third Hindi version and the first colour film version of the story in Hindi...
- 2001 Won for the film Mission KashmirMission KashmirMission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by...
Filmfare Awards
- 2007 Won for the film Rang De BasantiRang De BasantiRang De Basanti is a 2006 Indian drama film written and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. It features an ensemble cast comprising Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth Narayan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and British actress Alice Patten in the lead roles...
- 2003 Won for the film DevdasDevdas (2002 film)Devdas is a 2002 Bollywood film based on the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella Devdas. This is the third Hindi version and the first colour film version of the story in Hindi...
- 2001 Nominated for the film Mission KashmirMission KashmirMission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by...
Screen Weekly Awards
- 2007 Won for the film Rang De BasantiRang De BasantiRang De Basanti is a 2006 Indian drama film written and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. It features an ensemble cast comprising Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth Narayan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and British actress Alice Patten in the lead roles...
- 2004 Nominated for the film Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is a 2003 Indian comedy directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The story involves protagonist Munna Bhai , a goon, going to medical school. He is helped by his sidekick, Circuit . It is the first film in the popular Munna Bhai series...
- 2003 Won for the film DevdasDevdas (2002 film)Devdas is a 2002 Bollywood film based on the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella Devdas. This is the third Hindi version and the first colour film version of the story in Hindi...
- 2001 Won for the film Mission KashmirMission KashmirMission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by...
- 1998 Won for the film KareebKareebKareeb is a 1998 Bollywood film directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It stars Bobby Deol and Neha.- Plot :...
- 1994 Won for the film 1942: A Love Story1942: A Love Story1942: A Love Story is a 1994 Bollywood film starring Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, and Pran. The film was the first ever to be given a U/A rating while featuring a scene, previously considered inappropriate for young children, showing the actors kissing...
Zee Cine Awards
- 2007 Won for the film Rang De BasantiRang De BasantiRang De Basanti is a 2006 Indian drama film written and directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. It features an ensemble cast comprising Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth Narayan, Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni and British actress Alice Patten in the lead roles...
- 2004 Won for the film Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. is a 2003 Indian comedy directed by Rajkumar Hirani and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The story involves protagonist Munna Bhai , a goon, going to medical school. He is helped by his sidekick, Circuit . It is the first film in the popular Munna Bhai series...
- 2003 Won for the film DevdasDevdas (2002 film)Devdas is a 2002 Bollywood film based on the 1917 Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novella Devdas. This is the third Hindi version and the first colour film version of the story in Hindi...