One of the key technical crew members of the latest Arya starrer Mr X, directed by Manu Anand, is cinematographer Arul Vincent. Recently, Arul sat with CE to talk about his journey in the film industry, the challenges he faced while shooting Mr X, and more.

Interestingly, Arul revealed to CE that he did not start his career wanting to be a cinematographer. "I wanted to become an actor first, then a director," the Mr X cinematographer revealed. Arul also said that he approached directors such as Mani Ratnam, Shankar, and Bharathiraja to learn the craft. "I even received a letter from Bharathiraja sir, but by then, I accidentally joined PC (Sreeram) sir."

For the unversed, Arul worked with PC Sreeram for a long time and honed his craft under the renowned cinematographer. Eventually, he became an independent cinematographer with films such as Kirumi (2015) and Palasa 1978 (2020). Arul said that he started to love cinematography to a greater extent after teaming up with PC Sreeram.

The Mr X DOP candidly admitted that he had no knowledge of cinematography at the time. "Sreeram sir even asked me what he would do with someone who knows nothing. I told him 'I don't know anything but I want to learn.' That is how my journey as a cinematographer started," Arul recalled.

He first worked with Sreeram on director SJ Suryah's Kushi, starring Pawan Kalyan and Bhumika Chawla. They also collaborated on films such as Vaanam Vasappadum, which Sreeram also directed, and Kanda Naal Mudhal. "More than films, I worked with him on commercials. We have done some 50-60 ads together," Arul said. The two last worked together on 2007's Cheeni Kum, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu.

Coming back to Mr X, the film also stars Gautham Ram Karthik, Sarath Kumar, Manju Warrier, Anagha, Raiza Wilson, Athulya, Jayaprakash, and Kaali Venkat. Its technical team includes composer Dhibu Ninan Thomas, editor Prasanna GK, and action choreographer Stunt Silva.