Mahanati’s 5 best moments, as explained by cinematographer Dani Sanchez-Lopez

Mahanati, the biopic of legendary actor Savitri, has received rave reviews from all quarters. The film, which aims to transport audiences to the golden era of cinema, is justifiably earning accolades for its visual brilliance. In a conversation with Hindustan Times, the cinematographer of the film, Dani Sanchez-Lopez, explains the five best moments from the film in detail. For those who are yet to catch the film on screen, treat this as a spoiler alert.

Dani is overwhelmed that the audience is taking note of the visual metaphors in the Keerthy Suresh-starrer. He said, “I am humbled to receive such response.” Starting with his favourite scene, here are the five best visual moments in Mahanati.

Savitri and Ganesan meeting at the temple

When Savitri (played by Keerthy Suresh) and Gemini Ganesan (Dulquer Salmaan) meet at a temple, they stand on opposite sides with their distance being both literal and metaphorical. A couple is tying the knot at the temple and Savitri and Ganesan are separated because he is already married. This shot fantastically symbolises their divide. However, it was not easy to shoot this scene, says Dani. “This is one of the most emotional scenes in the film and it was a gorgeous temple. The day, however, was quite windy and to get the shot done, we had to hold something to cancel the wind. It was like a sail that 10 people had to hold down,” he recalled.

Use of mirrors in the film, especially the shot after Savitri hurts herself

In the film, once Savitri learns that Ganesan is a married man, she tries to distance herself from him. Yet, she is confused with the overwhelming love that she has for him. It is at this time that she shoots for Devadas opposite A Nagesgwar Rao (Naga Chaitanya). She hits her forehead on the wall for real in a scene where she laments Devdas’s alcohol problem. She then sits to get her wound bandaged and there is a mirror in front of her and it is here we see her reactions. The placement of mirrors in this scene and throughout the film symbolises who Savitri wants to be and who she really is inside.

Dani explained, “Throughout the film, mirrors play an important part. It is a way of showing how she keeps fighting to be who she is, who she wants to be and who the world wants her to be. We cinematographers love a little bit of visual metaphors."

The mela scene in the beginning

In a coulourful mela, Savitri and Ganesan are surrounded by happy children as they discuss the father-chold relationship. Ganesan speaks about being a child and Savitri explains that she never had a father. At that moment, Ganesan decides to give her all those experiences that she must have missed as a child. He even makes sure they sit on a carousel and we see them going round-and-round. It is beginning of Ganesan becoming Savitri’s entire world and she starts living inside a bubble. Dani explained how the mela was set up in the middle of nowhere and light played a very important role in this scene. “I wanted to show how vibrant Savitri was and needed a colour to define her. I got a glass tint from producer Priyanka, and used that to get the colour on screen. Even the shine on both of their faces as they begin their romantic relationship was a decision we took.”

The recreation of old scenes from Savitri’s movies

The Maya Bazaar scenes that were recreated or the Devadas scenes that became a part of the film were the result of extensive homework and research. Dani had to watch the scenes that had to be recreated closely to understand how they shot and where the lights were placed to get each shots. “I made only one change to such scenes, which was the backlight. I wanted to spotlight Savitri’s face because this is her story and is not a film where she acts. The journey had to follow her as a person and I thought it was imperative to show that bit of sparkle,” he said and added that another challenge was when the scenes had to flow from black and white to colour.

Dani said, “Savitri faced so many trials and failures initially but she still did not give up. By giving her the backlight, we could put the focus firmly on her.”

When Savitri realises that Ganesan had another affair

The film’s turning point comes when Savitri realises that Ganesan is having another affair. She loses the grip on reality and starts hitting herself. She slaps herself and we get the feeling that she is punishing herself for having a relationship with him. She tries to attack the other woman and when Ganesan stops her, she takes to liquor. That is the beginning of her addiction and the film captures the moment in all its poignancy.

Author tweets @Priyanka_S_MCC
Follow @htshowbiz for more