Lights, Camera, Action: Aseem Mishra Unlocks Filmmaking Secrets at Jamia Hamdard
Acclaimed cinematographer Aseem Mishra shares filmmaking secrets and visual storytelling tips with students at Jamia Hamdard's Media Matters series.
Students at Jamia Hamdard recently got a masterclass in the art of visual storytelling as acclaimed cinematographer Aseem Mishra visited the campus for an immersive interactive session. The event was part of the "Media Matters: Connecting People, Policy & Progress" lecture series, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and the gritty realities of the media industry.
Organised by the Centre for Media and Mass Communication Studies (CMMS), the session provided a rare opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to learn from the man behind the visuals of some of Hindi cinema's biggest hits, including Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Ek Tha Tiger, Paan Singh Tomar, 83, and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai.
Translating Scripts into Visual Narratives
During the interaction, Aseem Mishra delved deep into the core of cinematography, explaining that it is far more than just capturing a pretty picture. He emphasized that every technical choice—from the selection of lenses and camera angles to lighting and composition—must serve the story and the director's vision.
Mishra shared his professional journey, which spans television news, documentaries, and feature films. He walked the students through the meticulous preparation required for high-budget productions, detailing the importance of:
- Thorough script reading and analysis.
- Strategic location scouting.
- Precise camera placement and planning for complex action sequences.
- The critical role of post-production.
Behind the Scenes of Cinematic Hits
The session became particularly engaging as Mishra discussed specific challenges from his filmography. While talking about the sports drama 83, he revealed the extensive research that went into camera positioning and the struggle of adapting equipment to unpredictable weather conditions.
He also touched upon the technical artistry of Paan Singh Tomar, where he utilized Super 16 mm film stock to achieve a specific look, and how specific lens choices were used in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai to define and portray the characters effectively.
From War Zones to Classrooms
Moving beyond the glamour of Bollywood, Mishra recounted his harrowing yet formative experience filming a documentary in a war zone in Lebanon alongside journalist Syed Naqvi. He highlighted that in such unpredictable environments, technical skill takes a backseat to instinct, alertness, and the ability to make split-second decisions.
Adding a personal touch to the event, Professor (Dr.) Farhat Basir Khan, the curator of the series, recalled her time as Mishra's teacher at the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre (MCRC), Jamia Millia Islamia. She shared a nostalgic anecdote about a classroom exercise where students were tasked with photographing a black cat inside a coal mine under near-total darkness—a lesson in mastering fundamentals under the toughest conditions.
The Vision of 'Media Matters'
The programme was presided over by Jamia Hamdard Vice-Chancellor Professor (Dr.) M. Z. Abdin, with Professor (Dr.) Reshma Nasreen, Director of CMMS, serving as the convenor. Professor Khan, who dedicated the series to the university's founder, Hakeem Abdul Hameed, explained that the goal of "Media Matters" is to foster visual literacy and professional ethics among students.
The session concluded with a hands-on shot-analysis workshop and a lively Q&A session where students grilled Mishra on equipment choices and the practical hurdles of the film industry. By bringing in industry titans like Mishra, as well as previous guests like ANI founder Prem Prakash and media executive Anurag Batra, Jamia Hamdard continues to integrate professional expertise directly into the classroom experience.