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Binod Pradhan

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Binod Pradhan
Born
Kalimpong, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationCinematographer

Binod Pradhan is an Indian cinematographer, director and actor. He has worked in several popular and acclaimed films as a cinematographer. Some of his award-winning films include 1942 A Love Story, Devdas, Rang De Basanti, Mission Kashmir, and Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.

Biography

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Binod grew up in the picturesque hill town of Kalimpong, West Bengal.[1] He attended secondary schooling at the Dr. Graham's Homes School in Kalimpong, India, in the eastern Himalayas. Coming from a humble Gorkha Newar background, Binod got his first box camera in the early years from his father, H. K. Pradhan, who ran a photo studio. 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.

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. He also has a second son named Deep Pradhan.

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.

Filmography

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As cinematographer

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Year Movie Language Notes
1976 Ghashiram Kotwal Marathi
1977 Jait Re Jait Marathi
1982 Aparoopa Assamese
1983 Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro Hindi
Samjhana Nepali
1985 Khamosh Hindi
Kusume Rumal Nepali [2]
1986 Papori Assamese
1989 Lahure Nepali
Parinda Hindi
1991 Narasimha Hindi
1992 Trishna Nepali
Sapana Nepali
Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman Hindi
1993 1942: A Love Story Hindi
1998 Kareeb Hindi
2000 Mission Kashmir Hindi
2002 Devdas Hindi
2003 Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. Hindi
2005 Dil Jo Bhi Kahey... Hindi
2006 Rang De Basanti Hindi
2007 Ta Ra Rum Pum Hindi
Nanhe Jaisalmer Hindi
2008 Kismat Konnection Hindi
Heroes Hindi
2009 Delhi-6 Hindi
2010 Komaram Puli Telugu
2011 Yamla Pagla Deewana Hindi
Mausam Hindi
2013 Rajjo Hindi
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Hindi
2014 2 States Hindi
Ishq Wala Love Marathi
2016 Baaghi Hindi
2018 Kayamkulam Kochunni Malayalam
2019 Kalank Hindi
2021 Chehre Hindi

As director

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Year Movie Language Notes
2015 Wedding Pullav Hindi

As associate director

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Year Movie Language Notes
1993 1942: A Love Story Hindi
1998 Kareeb Hindi
2000 Mission Kashmir Hindi

As actor

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Year Movie Language Notes
2018 Pahuna: The Little Visitors Nepali

Awards and nominations

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List of documented awards for Best Cinematography [3][4]

International Indian Film Academy Awards

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Filmfare Awards

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Screen Weekly Awards

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Zee Cine Awards

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Global Cinema Festival Sikkim

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  • 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award

References

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  1. ^ "People - Shooting the Screenplay: Binod Pradhan". www.verveonline.com.
  2. ^ "रजत जयन्ती मनाएको त्यो पहिलो फिल्म". ekantipur.com (in Nepali). Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Binod Pradhan". IMDb.
  4. ^ Binod Pradhan Awards
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